Have you ever heard you’re not getting old; you’re becoming a classic? I couldn’t agree more! But like any classic, aging is visible—most noticeably when it comes to signs of aging on the face.
Many facial aging signs (like smile lines) are records of a well-lived life. But it’s normal to want your face to reflect your inner radiance—not just how many birthdays you’ve had.
So, can you reverse facial aging?
While you can’t fully reverse the effects of aging, you can prevent premature aging and help your facial skin age more gracefully. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t require harsh chemicals or expensive, scary cosmetic procedures like laser treatments.
What are the Most Common Signs of Aging on the Face?
So, what does it look like when your skin ages? How you age depends heavily on genetics and lifestyle factors, but some of the first signs of aging on anyone’s face, regardless of skin type, are:
- Wrinkles
- Sagging, especially on jaw, eyelids, and eyebrows
- Age spots or liver spots
- Looser, thinner, less elastic skin
- Crow’s feet
- Dry skin, often with rough, scaly patches
- Uneven complexion
And at what age does your face change most? The most noticeable changes happen from 40 to 60.
Causes of Facial Aging
Some signs of an aging face are intrinsic, from the natural, inevitable aging process. The other half is extrinsic, from external factors like sun exposure, environment, and habits.
Usually, signs of aging on the face are a combination of both.
For instance, you produce less collagen and elastin as you age, often causing wrinkles. Additionally, external factors like UV rays can cause premature aging by damaging elastin and collagen production.
Collagen and elastin are proteins that work together in your skin, but collagen provides strength and support, while elastin provides elasticity, firmness, and resilience.
Some major intrinsic factors behind the signs of an aging face include:
- Lower production of collagen & elastin, reducing facial volume
- Less hydration
- Uneven fat distribution causing intense facial contours
- Muscle loss
- Bone deterioration
- Smaller oil-producing glands
- Slower skin cell turnover
- Lack of sleep
Not to mention menopause, when experts say we lose around 30 percent of our collagen, hormone changes cause dryness, thinning, and even acne. Ugh.
Extrinsic factors can intensify these signs of facial aging while adding:
- Disorganized collagen (overproduction of elastin that degrades, becoming abnormal)
- Oxidative stress (too many free radicals, not enough antioxidants)
- Thinner epidermal layer
What ages the face the most? The biggest external factors are sun exposure and smoking.
So, how can you reduce the aging of your face? I’ve got you covered!
Clean Skincare Tips & Products to Reduce the Signs of Aging
We’ve all seen skincare products touting “age reversal” claims. The truth? Most contain toxic ingredients and sell anyway because the ingredients don’t need FDA approval.
After learning this, I spent years researching and testing clean beauty products so I can recommend the safest, most effective skincare, especially for mature women like myself, to address signs of facial aging.
Here are some of my top clean skincare tips for improving signs of aging on the face.
1. Gently cleanse every day.
Build-up can cause inflammation, dryness, and even stronger signs of facial aging. Choose a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin’s natural oils or harm the more fragile moisture barrier.
I personally love Alpyn Beauty’s Juneberry & Collagen Hydrating Cream Cleanser, which has plant-based collagen to keep your skin clean and soft.
2. Try a rejuvenating serum.
After cleansing, apply a natural face serum to reduce signs of aging on the face.
One phenomenal ingredient is Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), scientifically shown to boost collagen production, reduce pigmentation, and protect against wrinkle-causing oxidative damage.
Some of my favorite clean face serums are:
- Beauty Sleep Elixir by Beuti has powerful plant oils that help you retain collagen and elastin while providing hydration and soothing inflammation.
- True Botanicals Renew Chebula Active Serum will keep your skin bouncy and hydrated while boosting collagen production.
- Maya Chia’s The Strait A Serum contains a gentle yet potent combination of Vitamin C, retinol, and botanicals for plump and radiant skin.
Retinol, a type of Vitamin A, increases cell turnover, thickens skin, and improves wrinkles. But first? Moisturize.
3. Hydrate inside and out.
Dryness comes with age and makes many signs of facial aging worse. You may be tempted to scrub away with an exfoliator, but harsh exfoliants can mess with your skin’s moisture. It’s better to opt for hydration.
That means drinking enough water and hydrating your skin with a good moisturizer.
Want retinol without the irritation? Try Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum by Herbivore Botanicals, which sensitive-skin users praise for reducing wrinkles, age spots, and redness.
I also adore:
- Odacite’s Green Smoothie Quenching Cream is a revitalizing cream, which melts into the skin with optimized absorption to deliver a silky smooth finish.
- Maya Chia’s Super Naked Plum + Chia Face Oil contains great nutrients and squalene, a powerful organic compound shown to make your skin more supple, flexible, and hydrated.
- Lilfox’s Marshmallow Poof is formulated with peptides and vitamins to bring the firm, wrinkle-free results of a facelift without any terrifying needles involved!
4. Don’t overlook eye cream.
Eyes are the windows to the soul, but fine lines and wrinkles can cloud the view. Additionally, drooping lids and crow’s feet are signs of aging on the face that can all be improved with a good eye cream.
I always reach for Graydon’s Skin Stuff (Face & Eye Cream). It’s nourishing, protective, and super gentle, a true godsend for sensitive skin.
People also rave about 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream for reducing puffiness, wrinkles, and dark circles while increasing hydration and elasticity.
5. Use the right sunscreen daily.
Research shows that 80 percent of visible signs of aging on the face come from sun exposure. Clearly, sun protection is fundamental, but so is the right sunscreen.
I strongly suggest a clean sunscreen, meaning it’s 30+ SPF, mineral-based (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), and broad-spectrum (blocking UVA and UVB rays).
One of my go-to’s is Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 for its clear, non-greasy formula that’s perfect for sensitive skin and even throws in extra hydration!
Ready to Slow Down Signs of Aging on the Face?
Some aspects of aging are inevitable, but natural skincare can help reduce signs of an aging face and boost hydration, firmness, brightness, and elasticity. The right clean skincare products can ensure our faces reflect our confidence and classic status, not just our years.
Want more natural, anti-aging skincare products? Explore all the clean products I’ve researched, tried, and recommended!
