A safe approach to younger-looking skin

The best anti-wrinkle cream is the one that is gentle on your skin and provides visible results on the surface within a reasonable amount of time. A safe formula will be hypoallergenic, fragrance free and dermatologist tested. Marcelle is proud to offer effective anti-aging skin care for both young and mature skin, suitable for even the most sensitive types. The guidelines below should help you find the best anti-aging routine adapted for your skin’s needs.

What causes the skin to age?

One would certainly thank their ancestors for inheriting good genes, but many external and internal factors can make our skin look older than its actual age. What’s going on?

How UV rays affect the skin

The number one cause for aging skin is the sun. From wrinkles to dark spots, the culprit threatens our skin’s health and youthful appearance every day. Eighty percent of the sun’s UV rays touch the ground on rainy days, meaning that even if you cannot see the sun, it can still harm your skin. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is key for maintaining healthier, younger-looking skin. Tanning, in salons or in your backyard, prematurely ages skin cells. Consider getting your sun-kissed glow from bronzing powders and/or tinted moisturizers. Check out the Marcelle CC Cream SPF 35 and Sheer Tint Moisturizer SPF 30 to benefit from both the glow and the sunscreen.

How does environmental pollution harm the skin?

Our skin is exposed daily to air pollution. Its effects vary: dehydration, blackheads and breakouts, redness, hyperpigmentation (brown spots), irritation and oxidative stress. Look for antioxidants such as vitamins C and E to help protect your skin.

Smoking ages the skin

On the surface, smoking is known to dull the skin tone and to stimulate the formation of blackheads. The frequent repetition of movement (such as the compression of the lips during inhalation) accelerates the formation of wrinkles while free radicals alter the skin’s cell structure deep within. Skin ages faster in smokers and vapers alike.

Sugar isn’t so sweet!

Dermatological studies have shown that certain foods, including dairy and sugar, increase breakouts. A diet which includes a constant high level of sugar intake (including carbohydrates and refined starches) alters the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, aggravating the loss of firmness, elasticity and resulting in sagging and deeper wrinkles.

How alcohol damages the skin

Alcohol consumption dehydrates. Moisture can withdraw from the skin in a matter of hours, leaving the face looking less plump and making fine lines, wrinkles and sagging even more visible. Long-term effects also include loss of elasticity, edema and redness. A great way to fight skin dehydration is to drink a good amount of water every day, doubling your intake when you are indulging in that cocktail or glass of wine or two. Your skin will also greatly benefit from an outside source of moisture: a cream! Today’s anti-aging creams are loaded with antioxidants to protect your skin cells and are enriched with a variety of ingredients carefully selected to target specific needs.

Best anti-aging skin care routine

It’s important to establish a proper skin care routine when targeting specific goals. The first thing to do is to start by cleaning the skin, since ingredients work more effectively on a clean epidermis. It is critical to remove any trace of makeup at night and gently rid your skin of sebum, sweat and environmental dust. A mild facial cleanser suffices in the morning. Always pat the skin dry with a clean washcloth and avoid rubbing it dry.

How to layer skin care products

There is an order in which moisturizers or skin care products in general should be layered: lightest (water-like texture) to heaviest (oil-based or sun protection). Not everyone enjoys layering, but for the sake of the argument, let’s see how it’s done:

*If your moisturizer contains sun protection, no need to add another layer – it will not provide more protection.

Reasons why we should use serums

Generally, serums are light in texture, penetrating the skin rapidly. Their formula, however; usually contains a higher concentration of active ingredients, working in synergy to reinforce the moisturizer and deliver accelerated results. Their lightweight texture absorbs rapidly to begin working in seconds, helping to improve the skin more efficiently.

The difference between eye and face creams

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive. So, yes, without question, we really do need separate eye and face creams. Unless the directions specify that it is safe for the eye contour, a face cream should not be applied near the eyes. This also holds true for any hand lotion or body moisturizer: do not apply them near the eyes. Certain ingredients in face, hand and body moisturizers have larger molecules (for example, sun protection, nourishing vegetable oils or moisture barriers). If the larger molecules are applied on the skin first, they will prevent the smaller ones from being absorbed and working their magic under your eyes. Eye care is often formulated with ingredients that have smaller molecules, penetrating the skin rapidly and easily. Using products which are not specifically designed for eye contour can result overnight in puffiness, irritation and redness. Long-term effects can include eczema and milia (whiteheads or tiny white bumps that appear on the skin, often in small groups. Unlike whitehead pimples, milia do not cause redness or pain, but they won’t go away.) When products that are too heavy are regularly used around the eye contour, it can result in clogged pores, and possibly milia.

At what age should we start using anti-aging creams?

There is no right age, but truth be told, prevention can never start early enough. No woman ever claimed to have started using anti-wrinkle creams too early!

In your late teens/early twenties... Focus on:

• • Using broad-spectrum sun protection (UVA and UVB light)
• • Moisturizing your skin around the clock
• • Defending the skin against environmental stressors

We suggest a full regimen that will help maintain your youthful glow as long as possible by preventing, protecting and boosting your skin’s natural defenses.

Discover the Hydractive skin care line

In your mid-twenties to mid-thirties... Concentrate on:

• • Deeply moisturizing your skin to help maintain its healthy plumpness
• • Minimizing the first signs of aging (fine lines and possibly hyperpigmentation)
• • Maintaining the skin’s natural radiance
• • Improving skin elasticity and firmness

It’s important to find products which will be safe for your skin and will help reduce the first signs of aging. Moreover, key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid will help plump the skin and delay the appearance of further signs.

Discover the New Age Uplift skin care line

In your mid-thirties to forties... Consider the following:

• • Maintaining the skin’s natural radiance
• • Improving skin elasticity and firmness
• • Filling in the wrinkles from within to smooth the skin on the surface
• • Refining facial contours

Though it may pain us to admit it, skin cell turnover and repair is already starting to slow down. Look for ingredients that stimulate microcirculation and that truly make a difference in the skin structure such as peptides.

Discover the New Age Precision skin care line

In your mid-forties to fifties... Concentrate on:

• • Regenerating the skin’s natural ability to repair and restore its skin cells
• • Minimizing the signs of aging (wrinkles, hyperpigmentation)
• • Redefining facial contours and minimizing the loss of firmness
• • Enhancing skin radiance
• • Deeply moisturizing your skin to help sustain its plumpness, firmness, elasticity and radiance

Changes in our hormonal system present increased signs of the times. The skin needs a revitalizing boost to renew its density and show improved elasticity and radiance. Key components such as chicory root extract provide deep nourishment to the skin, plumping it from the inside.

Discover the Revival+ Skin Renewal skin care line

There are products which can help benefit the skin and minimize the time we spend on our skin care routine. If you prefer to use time-saving multitasking products that still provide proven results, try using formulas that combine both a serum and moisturizer.

Discover the Revival+ Advanced skin care line

The skin loses its natural radiance, or healthy glow, as we age. Key ingredients will improve microcirculation to revive the skin’s glow and provide a fresh, radiant complexion. If you feel like your skin could use a hint of radiance without reaching for your makeup kit, you might want to try something that contains the necessary actives and perhaps even a very light pink hue to help restore your healthy glow.

Discover the Revival+ Skin Renewal Rosy Glow Anti-aging day cream

In your late fifties and sixties... Focus on:

• • Reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier to prevent dryness and dehydration
• • Deeply moisturizing your skin to help sustain its plumpness
• • Maintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity to minimize the appearance of deep wrinkles
• • Promoting skin cell renewal
• • Increasing the skin’s radiance

One of the most noticeable changes in women’s skin after menopause is a perceptible loss of moisture. Many women experience the uncomfortable sensation of dryness, as if all the lipids in our face flew out the window with our last period. The thicker, richer textures of moisturizers may become a valuable factor in your skin care regimen. In addition to stimulating the skin’s density, elasticity and firmness, be on the lookout for nourishing ingredients such as cosmetic vegetable oils. The Marcelle Revival+ Ultra-Nutrition creams are also formulated with 24-karat colloidal gold to provide optimal skin comfort and nutrition.

Discover the Revival+ Ultra-Nutrition skin care line

How do I know if my anti-aging products work?

Skin care products should feel good on the skin at any age. Discontinue the use of any product that seems to cause any irritation, edema or redness. Most anti-aging moisturizers are formulated to show results within the first 7 to 21 days of use. Improvements such as smoother-looking skin and softer skin to the touch should be your first clues that your moisturizers are working for you.

Exercise regularly, enjoy the outdoors with sun protection, drink water daily, dedicate 8 hours to resting and sleeping every night and trust that, paired with your adapted skin care routine, your true radiance will shine from within.