As they say, it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. For humans, this can be seen almost any time someone tries to adopt new habits. Some experts suggest it takes just a few weeks of consistently practicing a new habit before it really sticks. Others argue it takes more than six months.
Either way, after those foundational routines are established — whether we’re talking about diet, exercise, meditation, or most any habitual act — keeping it up will become a lot easier.
That timeline will certainly be different for different people, and true lifelong habits will require some underlying motivation to retain. But these milestone dates are good to keep in mind as you build your routines. That way, you have a goal to shoot for in those early days and it will be easier to keep going.
Skincare is one thing that many people struggle to apply consistently. It tends to become a priority in certain times — like before a wedding or when you re-enter the single’s market — then fade away as other complications of life take precedence.
If there’s a will, however, there is a way. Just start small, look for progress in the form of little wins, and use the right ingredients. This last point in particular really does make a massive difference. As you build up your new skincare regimen, look for products that incorporate the following ingredients:
1. Peptides and Collagen
Our skin is made up of various components, but protein, and especially collagen, maybe the most important in terms of how we look. It helps repair the damage, and peptides — or strings of amino acids — can be considered the building blocks for this reconstruction work. The chemistry and mechanisms behind why peptides work well in certain skincare products is quite complicated. But there is one good reason it is now found so widely in your beauty aisle: It works.
2. Retinoids and Retinol
Retinoids and retinol are chemical compounds related to vitamin A. All the vital properties of this essential nutrient are not well understood by the general public, but in all its forms — including the pre-cursor beta carotene abundant in carrots — most people do recognize its role in eye health. The same goes for skin, and retinoids are particularly potent and useful in any anti-aging eye cream or other product capable of minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Today, with more and more people concerned about sun exposure, many moisturizers, and facial creams include sunscreen. In most cases, especially for everyday-use products, this is great. As you’re searching for products, look for those that include higher SPF numbers so that the sensitive skin around your eyes won’t suffer unnecessary damage.
Using the Best Ingredients for Eye Area Skincare
The right habits combined with the right products and the right ingredients can do wonders for your skin. In any routine, these are the essential components that will make the difference.
In terms of ingredients, you want to be on the lookout for products that offer peptides, retinoids, and sun protection (in the form of creams with adequate SPF numbers). As long as you make sure these are all sitting within arm’s reach on your shelf — and you stick with your daily rituals — the results are sure to come. Incorporate them early and often into your skincare regimen. You won’t regret it.