For ages, the way in which the beauty industry determines what people should do for their skin based on their age or stage of life has been heavily favouring the ‘characterised’ skin condition and what has taken priority, with anti-ageing creams, wrinkle-receding serums, etc. being the most common beauty products found on vanity tables. Things are beginning to change very quickly, however!
While beauty experts and dermatologists have traditionally focused on ‘skin age', that is changing. The conversation has now turned from finding your wrinkles to discussing ways to create a healthy, strong skin barrier, maintain proper skin hydration and achieve a radiant complexion.
What approaches to skin health are different?
The skin-health trend is very different from classic anti-ageing products. Traditionally, people used aggressive products that would aggressively exfoliate or resurface the skin, but now the focus has shifted to repairing the skin instead of stripping it. The skin's natural balance should be protected and nourished from within.
When your skin is healthy and strong, you will see things like hyperpigmentation, dullness and premature fine lines clearing up on their own. Many brands have recently begun to use smarter and more "natural" formulations to create results below the surface for longer than temporarily.
Steps to transition to a health-first beauty routine:
1) Replace harsh, stripping soaps with softer, pH-neutral cleansers that differentiate between dirt and your own skin oils and moisture.
2) Include richer oils and fatty acids in your daily routine to keep moisture in and protect skin from external irritants.
3) Use an antioxidant every day to protect against oxidation (from air pollution) and environmental pollution.
4) Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunblock every day; UV rays are one of the greatest causes of cellular breakdown.
5) Keep your daily skincare routine simple and intentional and focused on how to empower your skin rather than overwhelm it with clutter from non-effective products or lengthy and complicated products.
We looked for a voice leading the way in this transformation to better comprehend how it has shifted. Supriya Mody, the CEO and Founder of FutureMe, a luxury skincare brand, believes that the beauty industry is redefining how we think about ageing.
She says, "For too long, skincare has been measured by skin age rather than skin health. But younger-looking skin doesn't necessarily mean healthier skin, and healthy skin isn't defined by age. The real shift in beauty is recognising that skin health should be the priority. When skin is nourished, resilient, and functioning at its best, it naturally looks more radiant and ages more gracefully. Rather than chasing the idea of reversing ageing, the focus today should be on preserving and strengthening the skin's natural health so it continues to perform optimally over time. Healthy skin can be achieved at every stage of life, and that's ultimately a far more meaningful and sustainable measure of beauty than age alone."
To summarise, healthy skin is seen as healthy skin and not necessarily just as having no wrinkles or the ability to look good all the time, but also, healthy skin can function, repair itself, and thrive throughout time. The beauty industry has sold promises of "turning back time" for many years, but the future could be simply taking good care of the skin you currently have so that it looks and feels great for years to come.
