The Truth Behind 3 Anti-Ageing Myths

Don’t wait for fine lines and wrinkles to appear before starting your anti-aging skincare regime! Get clued up on the science-backed skincare facts (and bust those myths!) to keep your skin as youthful, healthy and beautiful as it is today …. for tomorrow and beyond! 

Myth #1 You don’t’ need to wear sunscreen daily

Ask just about any celebrity what her secret to youthful skin is and you can bet your prized pair of Jimmy Choo’s she’ll answer ‘daily sunscreen’. Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson… the list goes on.

But in real life 9 in 10 Australian adults don’t know when they need sun protection and are “still very confused”, according to the Cancer Council’s National Sun Protection Survey.

The simple rule? We – those that live Down Under – should wear sunscreen daily, according to new research which shows that even on a low-UV day DNA damage can occur. In fact, for those with fair skin or Type 1 skin, sun exposure damage can be caused in as little as 10-15 minutes even on low UV days. Then there is ‘secondary sun exposure’ we need to factor in. That is, the ‘unsuspecting sun damage’ we incur while driving, or the filtered sunlight in our office, or walking to the café at lunch… you know, while we’re out and about enjoying life! This is also one of the reasons it’s so important to have combined day cream with SPF – it triples your benefits in one application (protecting against sun damage while stimulating cell regeneration and fighting free radicals).

UV damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging but SPF prevents sun-induced skin ageing. If you are struggling to find the perfect sunscreen for under makeup use, you’re in luck.  Advanced technology now means there are some really great anti-ageing creams and day cream sunscreens specifically designed for a range of skin types, including sensitive, normal and combination. Choose an SPF15 for days when you’ll have minimal sun exposure and an SPF30 for higher sun exposure.

Myth #2 Topical skincare products aren’t strong enough to fight against signs of ageing

This rang true twenty years ago and was perhaps perpetuated by the boom in cosmetic surgery clinics opening up all over Australia, but topical skincare advances have come a long way since then, baby! Take NIVEA’s Q10 Power range, for example, which has proven ingredients that reduced wrinkles in four weeks and promote firmer skin in just two weeks*.

How does it work? The coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant (protects cells against the effects of free radicals), supports cell regeneration, collagen synthesis and fights free radicals, while creatine increases collagen by 24%** to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and promote smoother, tangibly firmer skin that is intensively nourished.

*Compared to previous formula.

*Creatine increases Collagen Type I expression in human primary dermal fibroblasts by 24% in vitro, compared with an untreated control.

Myth #3 Serums and eye creams don’t offer anything that a good anti-aging cream can’t

So not true! You see, the skin around our eyes and lips is typically thinner, and because we use these facial muscles more, these are the first areas to show signs of ageing. The skin is also more sensitive (and susceptible to pollutants, dirt, grime and other free radicals and toxins floating around the air), so it requires specially formulated serums or cream that don’t irritate this sensitive area and target signs of early aging.

According to research that analysed facial contrast (in particular luminosity around eyes and lips) and how this affected a woman’s perceived age, the “facial skin undergoes dramatic changes with age, including wrinkling and sagging, increases of pigmented irregularities, and skin colour changes such as decreased homogeneity of skin reflectance.”

So how are serums and eye creams different to anti-aging creams? They are designed to target these changes. Serums that are made from highly concentrated, active substances such as Q10, creatine and hyaluronic acid penetrate the skin better to reduce existing wrinkles and prevent the formation of new ones. Serums also refine your complexion, leaving your skin firmer and silky-soft.

Eye creams that contain Q10 and creatine are also specially designed to target and reduce wrinkles around the delicate eye area while firming the skin, smoothing the contours and alleviating dark circles. Both these potent serum and eye creams also help prevent the formation of new wrinkles.

Use serums after cleansing daily for a deeper penetration into the skin. Similarly, gently pat eye cream around the delicate eye area after cleansing as a part of your daily skincare regime morning and night.  

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