Do you apply your moisturizer religiously but still notice wrinkles and spots? Don’t panic, dermatologists reveal the ultimate skincare clue that proves the skin ages well.
As soon as the sunny days return, it’s a great classic: the lighting in the bathroom becomes much less indulgent. Despite the application of our moisturizer, this change of season reveals the true effects of skin aging. And inevitably, we notice details that we had carefully ignored since November. A small wrinkle that sets in, a mark left by a pimple, drier areas around the eyes… Dermatologists repeat it every year: the sun remains the great champion of skin aging. UV rays accelerate the appearance of pigment spots, gradually break down collagen and make the skin less supple over time. So afternoons without sunscreen at age 20 often end up resurfacing ten or fifteen years later.
However, aging well does not mean maintaining perfectly smooth skin. Dermatologists really insist on this. Healthy skin continues to change with age, that’s normal. On the other hand, certain reactions show that it still retains good defense and repair capabilities. For example, skin that still copes well with temperature changes or that does not turn red with the slightest cosmetic product is often skin that withstands the shock quite well. Same thing for the complexion: when it remains relatively homogeneous despite the years, it is generally a good sign. Conversely, very weakened skin often reacts more quickly to everyday aggressions, whether cold, pollution, stress or lack of sleep.
Among all these signals, there is one that dermatologists consider to be the most indicative of healthy skin aging: the skin’s ability to heal quickly. A small cut that heals in less than a week, an irritation that disappears without a trace or a mark that fades properly shows that the skin continues to repair itself well. Dermatologist Lauren Moy explains that this could mean “that your diet is rich enough in protein to promote healing, that you have a healthy immune system or perhaps good genetics”. In other words, skin that recovers well remains skin that functions well.
Note that, to obtain this toned skin, dermatologists are increasingly looking at overall lifestyle. Because between someone who sleeps five hours a night, smokes cigarettes and forgets to drink water until 4 p.m., and a person who sleeps properly, moves around a little and protects their skin from the sun, the difference almost always ends up being visible. Think about it!
