Skin longevity is all about maintaining healthy, youthful, and resilient skin for as long as possible. Before we properly get into this topic, we want to emphasise our belief that ageing is not a bad thing. Showing signs of ageing is not a bad thing – it’s a sign that you’ve lived.
Some people feel self-conscious about their skin not being as plump or elastic as it used to be, so may look to the skin longevity trend to maintain the condition of their skin for as long as possible.
Skin longevity encompasses more than just the skincare products you use: it’s about the ingredients in those products, the food you consume, how much stress you’re experiencing, and the amount of rest you get.
Find out what components are involved in skin longevity.
Key factors in skin longevity
There are several key processes and skincare ingredients that are important in maintaining your skin’s longevity and supporting your skin barrier.
1. Cellular health and skin regeneration
Influencing how well your skin can both maintain its structure and repair itself, cellular health and skin regeneration are essential for healthy, plump skin.
Cell turnover is a process in which the skin naturally sheds dead cells and replaces them with new ones. This process usually takes around 28 days, but this time can increase with age. A healthy skin regeneration cycle keeps skin looking smooth, even-toned, and radiant.
Product pick: Natural Face Scrub
Formulated with top-quality upcycled Arabica coffee grounds sourced from artisan coffee shops in London, our Natural Face Scrub is an ideal exfoliant to help promote cell turnover.
Orange oil in the scrub acts as both an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, making it perfect for soothing redness and irritation, and uplifting lemon verbena helps to tone the skin. With strong antiseptic properties, our natural face exfoliator can also help treat acne and spots for a clear complexion.
The removal of dead skin cells with this scrub helps to promote cell turnover, while shea butter hydrates the skin.
How to use: Apply the scrub to damp skin in gentle circular motions. Leave for a few moments, then rinse with warm water and pat the skin dry, rather than rubbing it dry.
2. Preserving collagen and elastin
We’ve dedicated entire blogs to talking about the role of collagen for skin and hair and collagen banking, and how important a role it plays in maintaining your skin’s natural barrier and elasticity.
Peptides are the essential building blocks for collagen and help to repair your skin’s natural barrier, promoting skin elasticity. They also help to stimulate production of elastin, a protein responsible for the skin's ability to stretch and its elasticity.
Additionally, both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C help to stimulate collagen production.
Product pick: Organic Face Oil with Coffee Extract
Boosting collagen and keeping skin firm, our Organic Face Oil helps to boost and brighten your skin. Multi-award-winning, this face oil is formulated with jojoba, sea buckthorn and rosehip oils.
Rich in vitamin C, antioxidant-rich coffee and rosehip oils fade dark spots and scars while brightening the complexion. This product is completely oil-based, so works through occlusion, locking in hydration and forming a protective seal over the skin.
How to use: Apply a few drops to your fingertips and massage into the skin. Apply after using your moisturiser.
3. Hydration and skin barrier function
Your skin barrier is the natural protection against environmental aggressors and free radicals. Hydrated skin is happy skin where skin cells function efficiently, allowing better cell turnover and healing.
When these two factors are compromised, skin can become dry and irritated. You can maintain moisture and protect against environmental aggressors with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and healthy fats.
Product pick: Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide
Gentle and dermatologically approved, our unscented Night Cream nourishes, repairs and protects all skin types.
Formulated with replenishing niacinamide to even skin tone and hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin, this cream also includes rosehip oil to promote overnight skin regeneration.
Upcycled blueberries which are rich in vitamin A help to protect against blue light, and is a source of pro-retinol that works to minimise the signs of ageing skin.
How to use: Apply in the evening to clean, dry skin.
4. Sun protection
For skin longevity, sun protection is a non-negotiable. Use a broad-spectrum SPF daily to prevent signs of ageing, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
5. Lifestyle factors
When it comes to skin longevity and health, you don’t only have to worry about what you put on your skin. How you fuel and treat your body also impacts your skin’s ability to repair and regenerate.
Try to eat a healthy diet, with plenty of antioxidants (like berries and leafy greens), healthy fats (like nuts and seeds), and avoid excess sugar, processed foods, and smoking. Remember to keep hydrated too!
As for stress levels, we know it’s hard to stay stress-free in today’s world – but try to reduce chronic stress and prioritise getting quality sleep in order to give your skin a chance to repair and regenerate.
Natural skincare for skin longevity
We’re firm believers that natural skincare is best – both for your skin and for the planet. Our formulations are proudly vegan and cruelty-free, and each product upcycles an ingredient that would otherwise go to waste, giving it a new lease of life.
Discover our full collection of skincare, haircare, and bodycare at UpCircle.