Women have many options when it comes to looking younger. From haircuts to hair colours, wardrobe revamps to makeup, there are plenty of quick fix anti-ageing methods out there.
But for those who want to a more long-term solution, skin care might just be the way to go. A pharmacist spoke exclusively to GB News about how women can develop a "solid anti-ageing routine". She recommended retinol products - "the best anti-ageing tools available" - as well as moisturising products and SPF.
Pharmacist, homoeopath and co-founder of The Organic Pharmacy Margo Marrone said: "A good anti-ageing routine uses a mix of products that support the complexion to ensure it retains its elasticity and moisture.
"We advise you to add a retinol product to your routine, which is a form of Vitamin A shown to help increase skin cell turnover. This means that new, clearer skin will be exposed as the top layers are gradually exfoliated away."
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'A good anti-ageing routine uses a mix of products that support the complexion to ensure it retains its elasticity and moisture'
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But while retinol is important for an anti-ageing skin care routine, the expert advised that women should be careful with their use of it.
Margo warned: "While retinol products are the best anti-ageing tools available, they can be quite demanding on the complexion.
"You should start using retinol gradually, introducing lower percentages of it into your routine and only later upping the concentration of the key ingredient.
"You can also start by using your retinol only once or twice per week, to begin with, and those with more sensitive skin should take this process slower by using moisturising retinol formulations which are gentler."
Hydration is also key for anti-ageing, according to the pharmacist. She said: "As well as retinol, it’s important to ensure that you are supporting your skin with moisturising and hydrating products.
"One of the best ingredients for this is hyaluronic acid, which is a substance naturally produced in the body to keep your skin moisturised.
"As we age, less of this substance is produced by our skin itself, so replenishing it can keep the complexion hydrated and looking younger.
"Use products where hyaluronic acid is listed near the top of the ingredients list to be sure there is a high percentage of it in the formula, and explore hydrating toners and moisturisers."
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'it’s important to ensure that you are supporting your skin with moisturising and hydrating products'
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The pharmacist's final tip for women was to incorporate SPF into their skin care routines.
"Lastly, it’s important to remember to use sun protection, particularly whenever the UV index for the day makes this necessary," she advised.
Many Britons have gotten into the habit of only applying sunscreen on hot days, however this should not be the case. According to the expert, a lower factor of SPF is still needed during the colder, darker months.
She said: "During the winter, the UV index tends to be very low in the UK and so you might not need a high SPF, but if you’re using retinol or chemical exfoliants you should always top them with sun cream as they increase your skin’s sensitivity to light."
As well as following an effective skin care routine, women can "slow their ageing by nearly 10 years" with a lifestyle habit.
