Let’s start at 20 and go through each decade of your life.
But honestly? Any skin at any age will benefit from using retinoids (vitamin A). I’m using 20 as the entry-level, but if you’re in your teens, you’ll benefit from a low strength retinyl ester, as I’ve described here.
I’m chosen Environ as the gateway to vitamin A because I know of no other or better skincare brand that supports the life-long use of vitamin A esters to support normal skin function.
At 20, if you’ve been lucky or sensible, depending on how you choose to look at it and you’ve protected your skin from the sun, then your skin should still be in pretty good condition.
But regardless of your skin condition, you’ll need to incorporate vitamin A into your skincare routine. You don’t need to wait for problems to show up. The sooner you start a daily topical dose of vitamin A, the less likely you’ll see skin conditions that are common in the 30s, 40s and beyond.
At 20, assuming the above is true, you don’t need a concentrated retinol formula or serum. A vitamin ester is all you need to keep your skin healthy. Adding an ester of vitamin A ensures the skin always has the supply of vitamin A that it needs to protect itself. Save the higher concentrations found in retinol serums for later.
Start with Skin EssentiA Vita-Antioxidant Moisturiser AVST #1 progressing to AVST #2. If your skin is in good condition, stay on AVST #2 Moisturiser for a while.
Getting started.
Once you reach your 30s?
You’re going to increase the concentration of Vitamin A Esters in your routine. If you’ve been staying out of the sun, it’s all you need.
But of course, most of us have had some sun exposure and damage even if we can’t see it.
In which case if your skin is showing signs of premature ageing, hyperpigmentation or sun damage, then the introduction of a Retinol Serum would be useful. Once a week at night is all you’ll need.
Start with Skin EssentiA Vita-Antioxidant AVST #1 progressing through to AVST #2 for two bottles and onwards to AVST #3.
If you have signs of accelerated premature ageing, Focus Care Concentrated Retinol Serum #1 could be introduced after three bottles of Skin EssentiA Moisturiser AVST #3 (only if you need it and no more than once or twice a week at night).
You’re progressing.
I’ve chosen Environ as the gateway to vitamin A, because I know of no other or better skincare brand that supports the life-long use of vitamin A to support normal skin function.
Julie Lardner
In your 40s.
By the time we reach our forties, most of us will begin to see fine lines and wrinkles.
If you wisely stayed out of the sun, the signs of ageing will be minimal and mainly show up as expression lines. These are the dynamic lines caused by laughing and frowning and will create a permanent etch in your face.
But let’s suppose you’ve been on the muscle relaxing injectable journey. Botulinum toxin type A, which reduces muscle contractions, and minimises your lines of expression. In which case, things are looking pretty smooth.
However, no amount of muscle relaxing toxins will prevent the skin from being damaged by the sun. And with this damage, while your furrowed brow might give you a happy appearance, the skin still needs nutrition to keep it glowing with good health. And, well, amazing!
Continue the vitamin A journey you’ve embarked upon to keep your skin looking fantastic well into your 60s, 70s and beyond.
Or, if you’ve yet to join the vitamin A party? Do it today. Get started. You’ll improve the health of your skin and reverse signs of sun damage.
No matter your age, if you’re getting started, you’ll need to commence with the lowest concentration of retinoids/vitamin A in the form of an ester.
However, if you’ve already started and processing, then you should be on Skin EssentiA Moisturiser AVST #3. After three bottles, move to Moisturiser AVST #4 for at least four bottles. By this stage, if your skin looks and feels good, you can stay on Moisturiser AVST #4 for a while.
But, if you’re itching to get to the highest concentration, then once you’ve reached your 40’s your skin’s probably ready for the boost it will give you.
I also recommend Environ’s Concentrated Retinol Serum #1, introduced gradually. Again, it’s not a race to the finish. You can sit here for a while. If your skin looks and feels good. Stay put.
Progressing with Environ.
No amount of muscle relaxing toxins will prevent the skin from being damaged by the sun. And with this damage, while your furrowed brow might give you a happy appearance, the skin still needs nutrition to keep it glowing with good health. And, well, amazing!!
In your 50s.
Most women will begin to see more significant changes to the skin in their 50s.
If you came late to the idea of staying out of the sun, it’s in your 50s where the years of sun damage will begin to emerge. For some, it can come earlier, depending on the level of exposure and damage and genetics.
It’s also a time of hormonal changes where the reproductive hormones that kept us youthful begin to diminish, and lines, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation seem to appear overnight.
If like many, your skincare’s been a bit hit or miss up until now, you may decide it’s time to step up your skincare game.
If this is the case and medical-grade skincare is new to you, then no matter your age, you will need to begin gradually working your way through the levels of vitamin A concentration.
But don’t worry, you’ll get to where you want to be even if it does take a little longer. Your skin will begin to improve.
If you’ve been stepping up through the system, it’s time to step from Skin EssentiA Moisturiser AVST #4 to Moisturiser AVST #5. If your skin is sun-damaged and you can tolerate it, you could move on to Environ’s Youth+ Concentrated Retinol Serum #2 but go slowly as irritated skin doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a better result.
Skin EssentiA Moisturiser AVST #5 and Youth+ Concentrated Retinol Serum #2 is a very potent combination of Vitamin A. If you jump to this level without the gradual progression because you can’t wait, then you’re likely to suffer a retinoid reaction.
You might no care if your skin becomes overly irritated. You might even think that’s how you know it’s working? I used to think that too. But, actually? No. It just means you’ve flooded your skin with too much vitamin A and it’s sitting outside the cell waiting in the queue to get in. While outide the cell, vitamin A isn’t really having much of an impact of helping, in fact, it’s being wasted. And, if you’ve ever waited in a queue anywhere, then you know, it’s frustrating and, yep, irritating! Don’t do that to your skin.
Of course, it’s tempting to rush this, especially when the years seem to have suddenly appeared on your face and neck. But, unless you want to suffer from what’s known as a retinoid reaction, then you must start slowly. Allow your skin the time it needs to adjust.
Think of it the same way you would approach going to the gym after years of doing minimal exercise. You wouldn’t start boot camp tomorrow, would you? View the introduction to vitamin A in the same way.
Reversing sun damage with Environ.
In your 60s.
For some reaching the age of 60 is a turning point. There is no need to give up.
Regardless of where you’re at with your skin, you can make a big difference with skincare.
I want to stress, if you’ve felt you’ve left it all too late, well, you haven’t and even in the decade of your sixties you can still revive the skin and turn back the years.
Remember your body’s largest organ is remarkable, and if you know what to do, you can make significant changes to your skin’s appearance.
Sure, let’s be realistic, if you have considerable sun damage, then you may never have the skin you desire with skincare alone. But it is the very best place to start.
Again start low and slow; introducing Vitamin A esters until you’re at a level you can tolerate. Once you reached a level of improved skin health and resilience, you can start to introduce more vitamin A either in the form of a retinol serum or a prescription of retinoic acid from your doctor.
Keep going.
In your 70s and beyond?
At this age, what you do will largely depend on how well you’ve taken care of your skin up until now.
I say this because at the age of 70 and beyond the skin can become more fragile and sensitive and slow to heal.
Our repair mechanisms have begun to slow down and can inhibit the healing process. Langerhans, the cells of immunity may not be performing as they once did, leaving the skin far more vulnerable.
With all this in mind, vitamin A becomes paramount to maintain cell function and improve skin cells’ proliferation.
Now is not the time to think skincare is of no use to you. Sure, you may have lines and wrinkles, and your skin may sag, but there’s no reason to neglect such an essential organ as your skin.
It’s kept you safe all these years, and as we age, the health of your skin is vital to your overall health and wellbeing. And yes, let’s go beyond the face. Your arms, legs and anywhere that’s been exposed to the sun will struggle to retain good health and needs your help.
The products below assume you’ve been using Environ for some time.
However, it’s important to note: If you or someone you know has reached their 70s, then starting at the beginning of the vitamin A journey is important due to the skin’s fragile nature. But, fear not, the skin will improve no matter how old you are or your skin condition.
Keep improving your skin with Environ
There are 3 ways you can get advice.
I hope that helps you. Even so, the best place to start is with expert advice. You can reach out to me and book a skin consultation. There are 3 ways you can do this.
A 45-minute online consultation. This is your opportunity for us both to sit down via Zoom and go through everything. Your concerns, the products you’ve used in the past and, your expectation or the results you hope to achieve. There is a fee, but it’s fully redeemable on any purchases you make after your consultation.
You could take the Skin Quiz. This will give you a basic routine to get you started. Once you’re on the routine, you can reach out for a 15-minute Zoom consultation to help you on your way.
A 15-minute Zoom online consultation. We can’t fully diagnose your skin in 15 minutes, but we can take a look at the products in your bathroom cabinet and make a plan with advice on what’s helping and what might be a waste of time. This is a brief but helpful way to answer your questions. There is a non-refundable fee of $45AUD
Maybe, you’ll stop short of booking time with me because you can get advice all over the internet.
That’s true; you can. Beauty influencers? Yep. Everywhere.
But, my goal is to help you jump off the beauty carousel with expert advice from a skincare professional for sustainable and long-term results.
If that sounds like something you’d like to do, then I’d love to hear from you. If you’re new here and you’d like to know more about me, you might like to go here.
P.S. If you’d like to know where to buy Environ in your country, get in touch as I may be able to help you.
See you next time,