6 things you can do to delay skin aging, according to a Japanese skin expert

You cannot stop time, but there are things you can do to delay your skin from aging. 

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Japanese skin expert and master trainer of facial salon Miss Esthe, Chiharu Nagano and salon director Chinky Gabas gave tips on how to have a younger-looking skin.

It has always been difficult for Filipinos to maintain a regular skincare routine, but these simple steps will ultimately save your face from the sagging, dryness, oiliness and aging.

Chiharu Nagano and Chinky Gabas of Miss Esthe

1. Use cleanser instead of soap for your face

Gabas said that in the six months they have been running Miss Esthe, they have observed that most Filipinos’ skin problems are acne, dryness and blackheads.

By analyzing the skin's age and troubles through a survey, Nagano said, the biggest mistake Filipinos commit is in using the wrong product, such as using a normal soap, to clean their face.

Nagano further explained that soap only cleans the dirt on the first layer of skin, leaving more dirt and makeup in the deeper layers. It is this that causes acne, blackheads and other skin problems.

Nagano and Gabas both agree that a cleanser does a better job in removing impurities up to the skin’s third layer.

2. Use sunscreen

You'd think in a tropical country like the Philippines, it would be SOP to use sunscreen. But Nagano said skipping this is yet another mistake Filipinos are guilty of.

Sun exposure can cause a lot of harm to your skin: It can damage the collagen and enlarge the pores, which then causes it to sag. So dab some on before you head out and expose yourself to harmful UV rays.

3. Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day

Drinking water will not only clear up your skin, it will also save it from drying. Apart from its skin benefits, it will also dehydrate your body and flush the toxins off your body, and as such Nagano suggests drinking at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day.

Something very important but grossly overlooked: Seeking our professionals and experts before getting treatments and applying products

4. Be in bed and asleep during golden time 

And golden time would be between 10:00pm to 2:00am. Sleeping at least 7-8 hours a day is something everyone already knows, but if you want to have a younger looking skin, Nagano suggests that you should be asleep between 10:00pm to 2:00am. The 4-hour period is a “golden time” when regenerative sleep happens and your body goes through hormone changes at this period.

5. Start caring for your skin at a young age

If you've always wondered why the skin of Japanese always look so glowing, almost poreless, it's because they start taking care of their skin very early — as in 20-years-old early. Nagano said it’s better to start have a proper skincare routine at a younger age than to try and catch up with time later on. Consider this preventive maintenance.

6. Seek professionals and experts

Before doing anything, it’s important to consult doctors and skincare experts first. They are, after all, the ones who can and will determine the type of treatment and products you need.

If you think this "extra" step will cost you more, imagine trying to right an unsightly blemish from using a wrong product. — LA, GMA News

Miss Esthe Facial Salon and Skin Care 2/F Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City. +6393 53364720. Miss Esthe boasts of a skin analysis system where professionally trained Filipino estheticians look into their "skin age", "spot age", "wrinkle age", and skin texture before issuing its professional recommendation.