If you love skincare as much as we do, you probably know of a few skin types and categories, especially the ones that have become buzzwords in recent years. And if you smiled when reading the title of this article, you’re probably just starting to learn about mature skincare and you’re wondering if we might be of help. Well you’ve come to the right place.
What is mature skin?
Mature skin is defined as skin that visibly shows signs of aging. Mature skin shouldn’t be confused with ‘aging skin’ as aging skin doesn’t really qualify as a skin category or a phrase really, much like adulting. All skin ages with time. Your skin becomes mature when you start to see signs of this process.
A rite of passage to some and not something quite to look forward to for others. Where our true feelings lie about mature skin is debatable. However, it is important to note that having mature skin is not a condition that needs treatment. It is a happily bound-to-happen occasion with a special way to prepare and care for it.
Mature Skincare
With beauty culture’s fascination with youth and the aesthetics that come along with it. Aging and even more so its tell tale signs are sort of frowned upon (pun very well intended).
It’s a secret we all share.
This is why, timeless as the sea, at Ri na mara we are proponents of the joy and confidence that comes with healthy skin. Whatever type or way it appears to be. Dry, oily, sensitive or mature. From “no makeup day” to “look good, feel good” we are firm believers in nature-based self care and finding the beauty within.
And as bearers of the gifts of the healing sea, in addition we never fail to mention the remarkable benefits of seaweed. Especially its anti-aging properties. The glimmer that makes our cosmetic range stand out from the crowd.
Ingredients to look out for
Yes
When it comes to anti-aging skincare the best ingredients are ingredients that improve skin elasticity and compensate for the natural production of minerals that decline with age. Ingredients such as:
Seaweed
Special agents in seaweed have been clinically proven to provide soothing, protecting and anti-ageing properties, reducing the appearance of fine lines and visibly brightening and plumping the skin. Agents such as laminarin, carrageenan and fucoidan.
Seaweed is also high in vitamin C – Collagen is one of those important substances that is naturally produced by your body, as it’s an important substance essential for maintaining the skin’s firm, bouncy appearance. But it decreases as you age, so incorporating Vitamin C into your daily skincare is a great way to not only protect your skin from UV-related collagen loss, but also to help stimulate collagen production. Ri na mara Irish seaweed cosmetic facial and body care range contain the finest seaweed ingredients from serrated wrack to laminaria digitata.
Hyaluronic Acid
Sleek, smooth and plump are probably not the first things that come to mind when you think of acid. But Hyaluronic acid begs to differ. This substance is moisturising and naturally produced by the body. It is usually found in large amounts around the skin and eyes.
However, studies show that the natural aging process and exposure to things like; UV radiation from the sun, and pollution can cause a decline in the skin’s natural production of this Hyaluronic acid. With its tendency to bind to water, its primary function is to help the skin stay hydrated, making the skin look & feel more supple, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ri na mara Facial care products with natural Hyaluronic acid include our moisturising face cream and intensive renewal facial serum.
Retinol
According to dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross: “Retinol is a powerhouse anti-aging ingredient that works to stimulate cell turnover and increase our skin’s natural collagen production in the epidermis and dermis”.
Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.
Sunscreen
If you’ve been on top of social media beauty trends lately, (and no harm if you’re not. You’re not missing much there) In recent years sunscreen has basically become synonymous with anti-aging, and the kids have a point there. It’s become common knowledge among younger generations that when it comes to antiaging, prevention is key.
Today, according to dermatopathologist Dr. Mamina Turegano: “Sunscreen is the number [one] studied anti-aging ingredient”. These studies have found that close to 80 % of the tell tale signs of facial aging come from sun exposure, so a daily SPF is crucial to keeping the skin not just healthy but also slowing sustaining that youthful glow.
No
It is important to remember that not all popular, amazing, generally exalted, gain-results-in-a-week ingredients are good for mature skin. So what are those substances to avoid if you want to reduce those fine lines?
Petroleum Derivatives
Petroleum jellies and Mineral oils may seem great for moisturizing or treating special skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. It’s not ideal for everyone. Petroleum based substances are known to form a dense, oily layer on top of the skin, clog pores, and prevent the skin from breathing.
Once it is absorbed into the skin, the body may be unable to metabolize it, which results in the chemical just sitting inside the body, halting cell regeneration and results in signs of premature aging. Examples of petroleum derivatives to look out for include: paraffin wax, benzene, Polyethylene glycol (PEG) or anything with –propyl in their names.
Chemical sunscreens
Yes. This again. Told you it was the most studied.
While all sunscreens offer protection from harmful UVA and UVB radiation, they may not contain the best ingredients for mature skin. Some studies have proven that certain UV filters breakdown after a period of time and generate more free radicals (highly-reactive molecules containing oxygen) on the skin in the process. As the molecules attempt to stabilize and become less reactive, they cause direct damage to cells. An abundance of free radicals on the skin can accelerate skin aging.
Mineral sunscreens are a better alternative.
Maybe
Foaming substances
According to facial plastic surgeon Dr. Amir Karam, highly foaming or foamy cleansers can be very drying as they’re abrasive to the skin. Dehydration can cause your skin to age faster. Although foaming cleansers do wonders for skin impurities, a better bet would be a gentle, unscented cleanser that does not foam, Like our purifying micellar cleansing water which dissolves makeup from the face, lips & delicate eye area, removes impurities, unclogs pores and tones, leaving your skin soft, cleansed and refreshed.
Salicylic acid
Although not as abrasive as a scrub or a foaming cleanser, salicylic acid in all its exfoliating wonder can strip the skin of moisture. It may be a crowd favourite, but we recommend using lesser and lesser as your skin matures.
What is a skincare routine?
Depending on your skin type, time of the day or quite frankly your budget and how tired you are at that time, the series of curated steps practiced in caring for the skin is what is commonly known as a skincare routine.
AM vs PM what’s the difference?
A morning skincare routine or AM routine are the steps you take to start your day, and a nighttime or PM routine are the steps you take before going to bed.
Some steps might overlap, and sometimes they can be quite the same, but inherently they are two separate things as our skin will always react to them differently.
Essentially, Your morning routine should be focused on protecting the skin, whereas the nighttime is for the use of active ingredients that focus on cell turnover.
Nighttime
Every skincare journey begins with a single step, and that step is cleansing!
Step 1: Apply Ri na mara’s mild cleansing water onto a cotton pad and hold against dry skin then gently wipe away, no need to rub or rinse. Soothing water contains micelle molecules that lift waterproof makeup, oil and impurities from the skin. Leaves your skin feeling soft,radiant and hydrated.
Step 2: Apply our deep conditioning eye cream to the skin around the eyes after cleansing, and gently smooth. Avoid pulling on the skin under your eyes.
Step 3: Gently shake our intensive renewal facial oil to activate. Sweep 3-5 drops over face and neck morning and evening and gently massage.
Remember to also apply this nourishing formula onto cuticles, nails and dry areas of the body as needed.
Morning
After cleansing, apply our intensive regenerating serum to face, neck and décolletage, and massage gently. Follow with nourishing Rí na Mara face cream for ultimate softness. In this step remember to sweep up along the jaw, out from the nose, and outward across the forehead.
To optimise results, a facial massage is the perfect way to reduce puffiness, stimulate facial muscles, help clear toxins, boost circulation, and energise your skin.
Step 1: Dab the moisturiser onto your face in small dots, apply with upward and outward patting movements beginning at the chin, focus more on the dry areas such as cheeks and forehead, this helps our cream penetrate deeper and aids lymphatic drainage.
Step 2: With your fingertips, lightly smooth in gentle circular motions along the cheekbones to above the eyebrows. Using the thumb and ring finger, gently pinch along the brow bone from the nose to the outer edge of the brow.
Step 3: Finish by gently sweeping your hands up the neck and over the décolletage.
Activate your energy points by pressing gently and hold for up to 1 minute on the outer eye (by the top of the cheekbone), cheek (under the cheekbone, by the jaw) and chin (under the corners of the mouth).
All Rí Na Mara products incorporate the purest natural ingredients from marine or plant origin and are suitable for sensitive and all skin types. That includes your beautifully maturing skin. Enjoy the gifts of the healing sea with our facial range of seaweed cosmetics.
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