Life would’ve been so much easier if we could just shed all our bad skin and let new, healthy and glowing skin emerge from time to time, right? But unfortunately, we’re humans and not snakes. So, that isn’t possible. If skin ages, it shows. And the signs are pretty evident! As women, we may not be ignorant towards the little things in life, but when it comes to skincare (especially ageing) we’re pretty ignorant and make some mistakes, unknowingly. We spoke to skin expert Dr. Aparna Santhanam and asked her to throw some light on the most common anti-ageing mistakes Indian women make.
 

Not starting an anti-ageing cream in their 30s

Not starting an anti-ageing cream in their 30s

Sure, you won’t be able to see the signs of ageing in your late 20s or early 30s, but they’re very much there. “Women don’t realise that ageing begins at the age of 25 itself. Over time, it only becomes more and more prominent and visible,” says Dr. Aparna. This is the reason she recommends using an anti-ageing cream by your late 20s. We recommend the Ponds Age Miracle Deep Action Night Cream that works its magic overnight; it helps in skin cell renewal and improves its elasticity.

 

Not identifying sunspots and pigmentary spots as signs of ageing and using a sunscreen

Not identifying sunspots and pigmentary spots as signs of ageing and using a sunscreen

“Just 10 minutes in the sun can do a lot of damage to your skin. And in a country like ours, that’s a given! Even then, people still haven’t realised the importance of sunscreen.”
This is why most dermats strongly recommend sunscreen to everyone, even if you work indoors in an office. Using a sunscreen with SPF 50 (max) and PA +++ is recommended to avoid sunspots (flat brown spots on the face) and pigmented spots (that are caused due to skin cell damage, affecting the melanin in the skin). If either of these spots have started to show up on you skin, consult a dermat and get the ideal sunscreen for yourself right away!

Not focusing on problem areas like under eyes

Under eye puffiness can be caused due to a variety of factors, but we always believe for the major cause to be lack of sleep. Sadly, that’s just one of the causes. Ageing is a major contributor towards puffy eyes, so, if your under eye bags are bothering you, it could be a warning sign of premature ageing. It is recommended to use a collagen boosting eye cream to get to ensure the skin under your eyes stays healthy and elastic.

 

Not realizing hands give away your age

Not realizing hands give away your age

“Most people don’t know this but the skin on your hands gives away your age more than any other part of your body,” says Dr. Santhanam. “It starts thinning with age and is an extremely early sign of ageing that you need to look out for.” Invest in a good hand cream, especially the one which comes with SPF.

 

Not including antioxidants in your diet

Not including antioxidants in your diet

Antioxidants help against the damaging effects of free radicals in your skin, thus reducing signs of ageing. This is why a lot of skin care products use antioxidant ingredients in them. “As much as external boost of antioxidants is important, it’s also necessary to have a diet rich in antioxidants,” opines Dr. Aparna. “We make the mistake of not consciously including them in our diet, which should be avoided.”

So whether you’re in your early twenties or thirties, you’ve got to begin looking out for the signs of ageing, stat! The sooner you start, the better it is.