Remember the other week when I went to that skincare event about atmospheric aging? I learned A TON and when I asked if you guys would be interested in a post, there was a lot of interest. I know you all are just as obsessed with skincare as I am!

One of the biggest takeaways of my 20s has been the focus on caring for my skin. Not that it wasn’t always important, but it’s become a much bigger priority to me. My plan is to age gracefully, but if I can look as young as I feel then hooray! {P.S. I totally feel like I’m 23! What about you??}

In recent years, I’ve developed quite the skincare routine, with steps from toner to serum to moisturizer, and sometimes getting fancy with steps like an essence. I try to do what I can but when you’re up against atmospheric aging, are you doing enough? Products say they do X, Y, & Z, but do they? How do you even know? SkinCeuticals has been one of those companies that has been recommended to me over the years by dermatologists and estheticians. They have serious skincare products and there is a ton of research that goes into every.single.one. Some of their clinical research studies span years! Their work is borderline medicine when you read their research and case studies.

During one of my facials the other month my esthetician was telling me that the one product I should be using for my skin is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. She said it’s basically a vitamin for your skin and told me about these crazy before and afters. When I found out SkinCeuticals was inviting me to an event in LA I jumped at the chance to go and learn more. And boy did I learn a ton!

What I learned About Atmospheric Aging

They schooled us with so much good info, computer presentations and all! The main takeaways that I have to share with you are the following:

• Atmospheric aging is a term for the effects of atmospheric aggressors like UVA/UVB rays, IR-A, and ground-level ozone pollution on the skin.
• Nearly 30% of people live in counties that have unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution. LA-friends, unfortunately that includes us!
• With age, the skin experiences a gradual decline in hyaluronic acid levels. Production starts to decrease in the 20s and the decline speeds up in the 40s.
• We know the sun is damaging, but with the ozone layer deteriorating, it causes an even bigger risk
• Exposure to the ozone is directly linked to the development of some skin pathologies because it quickly reacts to the outermost layer of your skin. So that’s why it’s important to know what we’re putting on our face!
• Protecting our skin against the negative effects of pollution are what will help us fight aging

This event helped me realize just how important it is to protect my skin against these nasty toxins that are found in our environment. I love that SkinCeuticals goes above and beyond to test these products and make sure they work. They know through countless studies and tests that these products are absorbed into our skin and make a difference, as opposed to just sitting on the surface layer and not doing anything.

3 Skincare Products to Fight Environmental Aging

With the official start of summer less than a week away, I’m trying to do more research about the products I’m using, and of course make sure to incorporate an SPF. If you’re like me and looking to protect your skin against the harmful effects of aging, here are 3 skincare products to fight atmospheric aging:

Step 1: PREVENT

Here comes the famous C E Ferulic Acid. It’s a topical antioxidant that produces up to 8x the skin’s natural photo aging protection. It offers protection against UV-induced erythema, free radical formation, and cellular damage that can result in premature aging. This is that skincare product that my esthetician said is an absolute must-have. It’s a little pricier but all the studies and results I’ve seen make it so worth it!

Step 2: CORRECT

The H.A. Intensifier is a new to me product that has hyaluronic acid, which helps maintain the skin’s biochemical properties in order to regulate the moisture in your skin. With age, skin naturally decreases 30-40% every 24 hours (yikes!). This H.A Intensifier will help restore moisture into your skin’s natural reservoir and increase plumpness, elasticity and firmness. It helps renew plumpness, elasticity, and firmness. I love looking at the before and afters and seeing a person’s crow’s feet, and marionette lines reduced.

STEP 3: PROTECT

The Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 is a high defense sunscreen that specializes in being compatible with both oily and combination skin types. It is made from 100% mineral filter sunscreen which provides a wide range of UV protection while maintaining that unified, smooth and matte finish. I especially love that this SPF is a 50! It’s another product that has been recommended to me countless times. Usually I hate applying sunscreen because I feel like it’s thick and greasy and will mess up my makeup. This one is not greasy at all!! It’s light and smooth and has such a great finish! It makes it so easy to incorporate an SPF.

Let’s do what we can to protect our skin against the harmful effects of pollution! Have any of you tried SkinCeuticals before? Any other tips you have to help prevent atmospheric aging? Besides staying out of the sun, because that’s not an option, unfortunately! At least not for this California girl!

xox

photos by J. Lee Photos