Damage Control: How to Spot (and Stop) the First Signs of Aging

Skincare is like a 401K; the sooner you start, the better it works. While you may think you’ve got plenty of time before you need to worry about your first wrinkle, investing early will pay dividends later because prevention is always easier than repair. Many people may start to see the first hints of aging in their twenties, depending on genetics and lifestyle. Here’s what to watch for and sure-fire strategies for getting out ahead, minimizing damage, and maintaining your youthful glow.

In this blog:

 

Fine Lines 

These tiny little creases seem to show up out of nowhere just about the time you start thinking about mortgages and dinner parties instead of roommates and raves. They are superficial lines close to the skin’s surface but can appear deeper than they really are as dead skin cells build up and emphasize them. Cell renewal is the key to smoothing fine lines. Removing dead skin cells also clears a path for moisture to penetrate the skin and plump cells to minimize lines. Acids and vitamin A make a formidable pair for this purpose. Acids slough off dead skin cells while vitamin A accelerates renewal and encourages collagen production to maintain the skin’s structural integrity.

The Fix:

Derm-A Gel

Our starter vitamin A therapy blends our patented vitamin A propionate with kojic acid, lactic acid, and niacinamide to boost cellular metabolism and reduce fine lines while nourishing skin with moisturizing ingredients. 

Allantoin Sedating and Hydrating Lotion

The holy grail of moisturizers—nourishing, hydrating, cell-regenerating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties in a lightweight, non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula.

Crow’s Feet

Because the skin around the eye area is thinner and more vulnerable to damage, the first signs of aging often show up here. Sun exposure and pollution initiate free radicals that degrade collagen and elastin, accelerating aging. Plus, as early as your twenties, your skin’s collagen production begins to decline. A good pair of sunglasses will help shield skin from environmental aggressors and reduce squinting. Sunscreen is a must to ward off free UV damage. Now is definitely the time for an eye cream with antioxidant and protein-building ingredients to protect and rebuild collagen, elastin, and lipids. For a firming and lifting boost, try layering Rejuv Rx Peptide Concentrate under Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream.

The Fix:

Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream

Our high-performance formula combines collagen- and hyaluronic-boosting peptides, cell-renewing vitamin A, and oxygenating caffeine to lift, firm, protect, and nourish. Lightweight and non-greasy enough to use morning and night.

Day Treatment Lotion

Multi-function hydration and sun care in one. A featherlight, non-comedogenic, paraben-free formula for daily foundational use.

Dullness

As we age, we get a little dull. We’re talking skin, not the sparkle of your personality. It’s just a fact. Cell turnover starts to slow, which leads to a buildup of dead skin cells, and boom, just like that, skin gets dulled down. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. Regular exfoliation to increase cell turnover is the answer. Acids dissolve the “glue” that binds dead cells together to slough them away and instantly give skin a brighter, fresher appearance. Glycolic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid, you name it, it’s a glow-booster and a must for getting rid of a case of the dulls.

The Fix:

Mandelic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser

This nourishing and exfoliating cleanser rids the skin of cellular debris and inhibits melanin production to keep dark spots from reaching the surface. As a bonus, it kills acne bacteria to keep skin clear and bright. 

Daily Repair Pads

Vogue magazine name this glow-boosting mini-peel in a pad among their “can’t live without” beauty discoveries. Mandelic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide, and zinc peptides get it done.

Pure C + E

A must-have powerhouse antioxidant serum to brighten, boost collagen, and protect against future environmental damage.

Dry Skin 

The skin’s key moisture factor is hyaluronic acid (HA), a molecule with a unique capacity to bind and retain water. It’s the predominant component in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that includes collagen and elastin. And like those other structural components, HA production decreases with age. Because collagen and elastin fibers are dependent on HA to maintain flexibility, the loss of HA has ripple effects. The trick here is understanding that most HA skincare products aren’t effective because the HA molecule is too large to be absorbed into the dermis. It will help temporarily plump the epidermis, but leverage is in the dermis, the deeper layers, where collagen and elastin live. The best way to bolster HA at the dermal level is to encourage your skin to produce more. You do that with bio-mimetic peptides that mimic the skin’s biomechanical processes, charging HA activation.  

The Fix:

Derm-A-Renew

The power duo of vitamin A and oligopeptides accelerates cell turnover and encourages collagen and hyaluronic acid production for a smooth and luminous appearance.

Rejuv Rx

An intensive oligopeptide concentrate optimized to reach the deeper layers of skin to increase elasticity, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, and protect against future signs of aging.

Algae Soft Mask

Enriched with concentrated marine minerals, amino acids, sea proteins, and polysaccharides to nourish the extracellular matrix and activate HA.

Dark Spots

Dark spots are often the result of accumulated sun damage. UV damage starts in the deeper layers of skin and eventually makes its way to the surface. To keep skin healthy, bright, and even-toned in the long run, incorporate brighteners and antioxidants into your skincare routine now. Mandelic acid products are a great choice because, in addition to micro-exfoliating properties to help remove surface pigment, this gentle AHA is also a natural brightener. It inhibits the enzyme responsible for melanin production. Antioxidant vitamin C is another good choice, especially when paired with vitamin E, which amplifies its photoprotective effects.

And, of course, no matter where you are in this journey, SPF is a must for your prevention strategy. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to against UVA and UVB rays prevent photodamage.

The Fix:

8% Mandelic Acid Serum

The transformative, brightening serum our customers call magic in a bottle. Enhances cell turnover, fades dark spots, and clears blemishes for smooth, even-toned skin. 

Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Protect from photodamage with this lightweight, non-greasy, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB mineral protection. Reef-safe, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, and non-ghosting. Pure defense for all skin types and tones.