In her latest piece, Paola Chellew swaps out lofty resolutions for a no-nonsense skincare manifesto for 2024. With a blend of sass and science, Paola provides us with her ten skincare resolutions to guide us through the beauty basics that promise to keep our skin in the spotlight. Buckle up for a radiant read that’s as refreshing as your morning cleanse!
I’m not a great believer in setting down unachievable goals when it comes to a new year – generally, by February, like the proverbial hamster, we’re on the same wheel that we were on last year, perhaps not at December’s pace, but with the steady churn of long-term habits that we’ve accumulated through the years. So, it all seems a bit pointless.
I do love a challenge, though, and I like the endeavour to create change, just because the excitement of the outcome gives me the incentive I need to make that change a success. And excitement is a great element to have in life, especially as we get older! I think it’s so important to be excited about what you’re doing, to want to learn more, to discover more – in all spheres of life, to listen more and to share new things with like-minded people.
Which brings me to what I would like to share when it comes to skincare and what I am going to do in 2024 to keep my skin looking good…
- Double cleanse every evening – taking makeup off is the first step. Then, use a good cleansing cream or foaming cleanser afterwards to remove any residue. Take the opportunity to give yourself a facial massage to get the circulation going!
- C is for Celebrate: I love the age I am, and I celebrate it by giving my skin what it needs – plenty of Vitamin C to help with hyperpigmentation and brown spots, restoring radiance to the skin and helping my collagen to reboot. Do get a medical grade Vitamin C serum in a dark or opaque bottle – Vitamin C is not stable and needs a scientific formula as well as the correct percentage of ascorbic acid to be efficient (between 8 – 20% L-Ascorbic acid). Don’t buy something with a citrus smell and a lemon or orange (fruit) on the label – read the ingredient list – ascorbic acid must be at the top of the list, in the right quantity!
- Sunscreen is my favourite beauty product: find one you love that does not leave a white cast, is not greasy or tacky, and has an SPF 50. Apply even on dark, rainy days (yes, your phone and computer might be the newest models and don’t emit harmful UV radiation, but studies show that other types of light can be harmful to your skin with prolonged exposure). I love a tinted sunscreen, as I have the benefit of even tone and covering any discolouration. A two-in-1 product is a score!
- Antioxidants are found in fresh fruit and veggies – lots of colourful goodness there to cheer you on your way and combat the harmful effects of free radicals. Focus on berries too – goji, acai, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries – all packed with potent antioxidants (phenolic compounds), also found in red wine, which is why you shouldn’t give up your glass of vino – all in moderation, of course!
- Vitamin A is a scientifically proven ingredient that keeps your skin healthy, plump and functional. Lines are minimised (of course, you’ll get lines as you age, but they are softened with regular Vitamin A use). If prescription Vitamin A is too harsh for you, have sensitive skin, or are a retinoid newcomer, there are alternative natural formulas that give you all the benefits without the irritation. This is the year to go for A!
- Deprivation leads to depression: I don’t believe in depriving myself of anything – it’s not sustainable. So, if whatever you need to cut out is harmful to your health but it’s too hard to give up, why not try substituting? Here’s an example: you NEED something sweet after dinner, but it’s not doing your waistline any favours. There are so many inspiring recipes on social media that include sweetness but are low in sugar content. Your skin will benefit…Get the drift?
- Hone in on Hormones – fun fact: did you know that our hormones are ever-changing – from when we are children, to puberty, to child-bearing age, peri-menopausal, menopausal, post-menopausal… it’s a constant to and fro, just like the tides and the phases of the moon. This gives a deeper meaning to the much-quoted phrase: “Go with the Flow”. And have you noticed how your skin reflects these changes? The puberty pimples, the hormone-related acne, the radiant flush of a new bride, the fatigued skin after a baby, adult stress-related acne – the list goes on. Your skin is your largest organ, and you are responsible for its happiness. Find a medical specialist who understands these hormonal changes and will help you work towards getting an ideal balance.
- The other C – Cortisol – is the stress hormone that we need to have a little of – it’s good for motivation but bad when it comes in spades. Fear triggers it – so this year, read more about how to improve your well-being. I want to make informed decisions, and I want to be in control of my physical and mental health. Let that be your mantra!
- Move! Choose something that is fun, and you want to do – kickboxing, yoga, strength training, walking your dog, or whatever floats your boat. Dance your memories back to a whole track of your favourite song (Summer of ’69 is a good one). The chemical Serotonin is released during motion and leads to your mood being happy, having good sleep patterns, good digestion, ideal bone health, and a healthy libido – yay! Which leads me to…
- The Love Hormone: Oxytocin – this is the hormone that is produced by the Hypothalamus (deep in the brain). It’s released during childbirth and nursing, hugging, loving – including your pets – and regular activity usually relegated to the birds and the bees. The impact of stress on skin leads to eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and acne, so let’s reverse all that by a little – or a lot – of namby-pamby this year, bringing a glow to your cheeks and a smile that reaches your eyes. Your skin will love you for it.
Paola Chellew is a freelance journalist and regularly writes for a number of publications. A former professional contemporary dancer, she has always loved the arts in all their forms. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has been published in various magazines including Live Out Loud, Private Life and Do It now magazines. Her passion for beauty and skincare started in her teens, when she would read every beauty editor’s picks and reviews. Serious about skincare, she has researched medical-grade products for over ten years, as well as aesthetic treatments to restore and repair skin to look its best. Having turned 60 last year, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly side-lined by the beauty industry. “There is no age limit for when you stop being beautiful – a gorgeous lipstick, a sexy fragrance, radiant skin- these are not synonymous with youth- they are just things that add an extra sparkle to my day”.
📸 Profile photo credited to Lerissa Kemp Photography
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
