The 10 Anti Ageing Commandments

The onset of fine lines is inevitable, but knowing what to avoid and promote can assist in slowing down the process of ageing.

#1. Thou Shalt use Paraban Free Skincare
Its is a little ironic that parabans, which are widely used in anti-aging products, have been linked to premature ageing. The most common are butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. You’ll find these listed on up to 75% of personal care and cosmetic products. Paraban free brands include Aveda, Beaucience, L’occitane & Dr Hauschka.

#2. Thou Shalt Avoid Rubbing Tired Eyes
As good as it feels, the skin around our eyes is the most vulnerable to probing paws. Ensure the skin around the eyes is hydrated with a gel based product for this sensitive area.

#3. Thou Shalt Avoid White Sugar
According to dermatologists, eating processed sugar speeds up the ageing process by binding to and eventually weakening the collagen in your skin, thus leading to premature wrinkles.

#4. Thou Shalt Stay Hydrated
Drinking 2 litres of water a day helps deliver vital nutrients to the deeper layers of the skin

#5. Thou Shalt Avoid Heavy Foundation
Not only does heavy foundation settle into fine lines making them more obvious, but it enlarges your pours which contributes to the long term drying out and ageing of the skin. I figure it’s counter productive to fork out on paraban free skincare products to then go and top it off with a heavy chemical filled foundation.

On a day-to-day basis, try to a paraban free tinted moisturiser, and limit my MAC foundation to nights out.

#6. Thou Shalt Avoid Heavy Concealer
The eye area is the most delicate area on our face in which face creams can be highly  irritable. To avoid the early onset of crows feet around the eye area, pamper the eyes with specific eye gels / moisturisers before applying a hydrating specific concealer.

#7. Thou Shalt Follow A Retinol Regime
Slow down the clock by introducing the use of retinol, which minimises already existing fine lines. Dermatologists advise that this is a must for ladies in their 30′s, and recommend beginning in your mid-late 20′s. These can be very sensitising so try using it 3 times a week to begin with to gauge how your skin tolerates it.

#8. Though Shalt Say No to Smoking
Smoking destroys collagen and elastin which is needed to maintain firm, youthful skin. Smokers often develop fine lines around the mouth area.

#9. Thou Shalt Stay Out of the Sun
As obvious as this sounds as we all know that UV Rays dry out the skin causing it to age prematurely, but now dermatologists recommend using SPF on your face, chest and hands all year round. And don’t forget your sunglasses! Constant squinting of your eyes to avoid sunlight can cause lines around the eyes.

#10. Thou Shalt Wash Your Face Daily
Foundation and dry powders take its toll on our skin so make sure to remove these at night. After washing your face, sleep with an intense  night cream to help hydrate and repair the damage from make-up while you sleep.