Anti-Ageing Products Speed the Ageing Process

When a woman enters a shop where they sell beauty products, in most cases, she expects to come out holding the answer to most, if not all, her problems. Given the pressure women feel to look a certain way, it’s no wonder we can hear them talk of wrinkles and problems usually associated with growing old when they’re still in their 20s, as well as use products that are meant for women twice their age. They’re not doing so without risks though, experts point out for the Daily Mail.

It’s not uncommon for women still in their 20s (that is, when their skin is at its best) to buy and use creams and lotions designed with the 40+ woman in mind. In doing so, they might believe they’re actually one step ahead and acting before the first clear signs of old age appear, but they might be doing the contrary, damaging their skin to the point that it will age faster than it would have under normal circumstances.

“Eczema patients who use products that are too greasy often suffer from a condition called occlusive folliculitis – sweat cannot escape from behind clogged pores, causing itchy red lumps. Teenagers using a heavy product could suffer from the same thing.” Dr. Susan Mayou, consultant dermatologist at London’s Cadogan Clinic, tells the Mail. Unfortunately, this type of infection is the least severe of the problems that can appear when using a product meant for older skin. For one, it can be treated with an over-the-counter topical antibiotic, whereas more severe damage that can occur may not be reversible.

“It’s when young women use creams that have high concentrations of ingredients such as retinoids (derivatives of retinol, a form of vitamin A) and AHAs (alpha hydoxy acid compounds like glycolic acid and lactic acid) that the problems really start, according to dermatologist, Dr. Nick Lowe. In older skin, the benefits of inflicting deliberate damage to the outer layer of the skin outweigh the negatives, as it helps to speed up cell turnover, a process that slows with age, and evens out uneven skin tone. But with younger skin, which is less resilient, you’re corrupting the skin’s natural water-retaining protective function for no good reason.” the Mail further says.

At best, in such situations, the damage disappears a while after interrupting the treatment. At worst, it never goes away and the layer of skin damaged means sun exposure will leave more visible marks on the face. This means more wrinkles and blemishes at an earlier age, experts point out, stressing the importance of choosing and using only age-appropriate beauty products.