Premature Skin Aging and What You Can Do to Delay It
WHILE WE CANNOT NECESSARILY AVOID ALL SIGNS OF AGING THAT SHOW ON OUR SKIN, WE CAN DEFINITELY BE PROACTIVE AT SLOWING SIGNS OF AGING DOWN.
THERE ARE NATURAL AND SIMPLE SKINCARE REMEDIES WE CAN DO ON OUR OWN TO GROW OLD GRACEFULLY AND NATURALLY. ESPECIALLY IF ONE DOES NOT WANT TO GO UNDER THE KNIFE OR NEEDLE OR UNDERGO LASER TREATMENTS
When our biological age and gravitational forces work together to make the skin look and feel old, natural signs of aging slowly will appear. However, skin aging is also largely caused by other controllable factors. Along with too much sun, our very own health and skincare habits drastically affect our skin health and how it ages us.
The skin is part of our whole health system being the largest organ of the human body. Whatever we put in and do to our bodies, naturally affects our skin.
It is never too late to kick bad health and skincare habits goodbye and start caring for our skin, no matter how old we are! There are ways by which we can make our skin stronger, younger-looking and healthier from the various intrinsic, natural or internal, and external factors that contribute to skin aging.
Intrinsic factors that affect skin aging
1. Age
As a person grows older, the skin also biologically becomes older. Cell reproduction in the skin becomes slower and is significantly reduced, leading to a dramatic deterioration of the skin structure. Reduced cell reproduction affects how the skin functions properly.
The skin becomes thinner as a result of reduced collagen, elastin fibers and fatty tissues, these fibers hold the skin together making the skin firm, toned and elastic. Thinning of the skin becomes highly visible in the face, neck and chest area in aged individuals because these parts of the body are also exposed to the sun and other environmental factors.
Skin also becomes dry as a person ages because the skin begins to lose its ability to retain water and or moisture. In addition to skin dryness, years of non-stop muscle activity in the face from different facial expressions also lead to the development of facial wrinkles and fine lines.
Aging affects our body’s bone and skeletal structure. This contributes to the sagging of the skin in the face and other parts of the body.
2. Genetics, skin type, ethnicity
Our genes generally determine our specific skin type, as to whether we have oily, dry or combination. Our skin type also determines how our skin will adjust to the effects of aging. Those with dry skin usually are more prone to wrinkles and fine lines, compared with those who have oily or combination skin.
Our natural skin color, based on our ethnicity or which continent we come from, and our skin’s natural thickness also play important roles in skin aging. Those with darker skin tend to have more resistant skin defenses against sun damage, and their skin is thicker. While those who have fairer skin are more susceptible to skin thinning, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and other skin damage.
Studies revealed that Caucasians experience earlier and greater skin wrinkling and sagging, while Chinese and French women exhibit these signs at a later age.
3. Hormones
Hormones play an essential role in how the skin adjusts to the effects of skin aging, especially among women. Hormonal imbalances, birth control measures, and even menopause gravely affect the skin as women get older. Women’s estrogen levels go down as they age, resulting in various skin changes.
Studies show that increased estrogen levels play a key role in maintaining skin integrity and thickness. These same studies suggest the use of replacement therapy using estrogen to reverse and slow down skin aging.
Extrinsic factors that affect skin aging
1. Photoaging, UV damage
Photoaging is the result of prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays causing damage to the skin, among other skin disorders. Photoaging usually occurs among those who are below thirty (30) years old, while natural skin aging becomes more visible around forty (40) years old and above. You can just imagine the damage to your skin if you develop skin aging as a result of your biological age and if your skin is also subjected to prolonged sun exposure!
The other side effects of photoaging include the development of freckles, dilation of capillaries, hyperpigmentation, or liver spots which become more visible as a person grows older. These effects are more visible on the face, neck, chest area and the back of the hands.
2. Air pollution
Air pollution and the presence of pollutants, irritants and other harmful particles in the air, can cause damage to our body systems and wreak havoc on our skin. These pollutants directly attach to our skin or we ingest and inhale them. They cause premature skin aging, worsen already aged skin, and cause skin diseases and disorders which affect overall skin health.
Air pollution is a major contributoring factor to extrinsic skin aging because they cause the rapid development of wrinkles on the face. It leads to the development of lentigines or pigment spots. Even without UVR exposure, it is discovered that pollution alone can cause severe skin aging. Traffic pollution is also proven to be highly associated with premature skin aging.
3. Lifestyle, bad habits
Smoking is medically proven to cause premature aging because of the effects it has on the skin, especially the facial skin. Smoking weakens skin elasticity, thickness and density, which makes smokers appear older than non-smoking individuals.
Excessive intake of alcohol causes the skin to dehydrate and lose its moisture. It is also the root cause of numerous skin diseases like rosacea, dermatitis, skin flushing and psoriasis.
Sleep deprivation affects skin health in so many ways. It causes skin imbalance and makes the skin age faster. It is also the major cause of eye puffiness, eye bags and under eye circles. A bad sleeping position causes body fluids to collect under the eye tissues.
4. Diet and exercise
Our diet plays a very important role in keeping the skin healthy. A balanced diet of fats, proteins, vegetables and fibers nourish the body and the skin. The skin needs proper nutrients to function properly. Also, regular intake of water and liquids not only hydrates the body but creates healthy skin.
Exercising regularly also nourishes our skin in a very big way. Sweat balances the water in the body, it moisturizes and hydrates the skin and is also a source of dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide that helps fight infections.
Poor diet and lack of exercise weakens the body, the immune system and affects skin health.
5. Stress
Stress can lead to a variety of skin problems like dryness, more wrinkles, development of acne, and it can worsen skin disorders such as hives, rashes and rosacea. There are ways to de-stress skin such as pampering yourself with facial treatments, exfoliating, applying a face mask and getting enough sleep.
Effects of aging and extrinsic factors on skin
The joint forces of biological aging and the various extrinsic factors lead to the development of significant changes in the skin. These skin changes are more visible and prominent in areas that are and have been continuously exposed to the sun. Sun exposure really does play a major part in skin aging that is why it is very important to protect the skin from getting too much sun. Skin wrinkling, dehydration and skin pigmentation are generally borne out of sun exposure.
It can be observed that areas of the skin commonly exposed to the sun like the face, neck, chest area and the hands are those that exhibit more extensive and visible skin aging.
- Skin thinning and sagging
- Dry and rough skin, itchiness
- Skin becomes more sensitive, fragile, and easily bruised
- Sunken eyes, skeletal appearance around eye area, drooping of eyelids and eyebrows
- Reduced strength and skin elasticity
- Wrinkles and fine lines increase, and are deeper
- Skin pigmentation
Skincare remedies
Various skincare products and treatments can help slow down the signs and effects of skin aging. However, simple skin and health practices, like basic sun protection, having a balanced and healthy diet, exercising regularly, sleeping well, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and maintaining a simple skincare routine go a long way in keeping the signs of skin aging at bay!
Certain skin care practices and essential skin ingredients can effectively diminish the unwanted signs of aging that we gain as we grow older.
1. Supplements
Nutritional supplements can aid in delaying skin aging and improve skin conditions. Vitamin D helps repair skin damage and prevent infections as a result of skin injuries. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties, and when taken as a supplement or included in your diet, it is a great antioxidant that helps prevent skin damage and premature skin aging.
Daily intake of collagen supplements is shown to result in a firmer and more youthful complexion. It helps fight the negative effects associated with aging including sagging and loose skin.
Our YEOUTH Vitamin D3 Liquid helps repair skin damage, prevent infections and helps relieve itchy and flaky skin. Our Regenotin Advanced Collagen Generator is clinically proven to increase collagen levels and reduce wrinkle depth and skin roughness by 30%. It is formulated with vital anti-aging nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that our body needs. Pamper yourself with nutrients that not only strengthen the body but benefit the skin as well!
2. Retinol
Retinol promotes skin renewal and collagen production which helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves uneven skin tone, and visibly increases skin firmness.
Our YEOUTH Retinol Moisturizer provides intense hydration while smoothing and softening visible signs of aging for a more rested and youthful looking appearance. Our Retinol Eye Cream deeply penetrates the delicate skin around the eyes to visibly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Our Retinol Serum gently exfoliates away dead skin to reveal healthy, new skin with fewer visible lines and wrinkles. It supports healthy collagen production to promote a more supple appearance.
Vitamin C is essential for skin health because it is needed to produce collagen which is the main structural protein of our skin. It is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental factors like pollution, smoking, and UV rays of the sun.
Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that our skin needs to help protect it from sun damage. Vitamin E absorbs harmful UV rays that cause sunspots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Our body produces Vitamin E through the sebum to help keep the skin moisturized. If you have dry skin, look for Vitamin E in your skincare products to help balance the sebum in the skin.
Our YEOUTH Neck Firming Cream combined with Vitamin C is a powerful multitasking and age-defying cream specially formulated to help target and improve the appearance of the delicate skin on the neck and dècolletè. Our Vitamin C & E Serum enhances the appearance of skin tone and texture as it nourishes dry skin. It contains Vitamin C to brighten the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and Vitamin E to help protect and defend the skin from future damage.
4. Moisturizers
No matter what age, skin type, genetic differences or gender, using a moisturizer is an absolute must. Moisturizing is an essential preventive measure that you can do to address aging skin. You must always moisturize after cleansing to maintain healthy, youthful skin.
Learn the proper ways to use moisturizers in our Yeouth blog. When skin is dry, it is vulnerable to the environment and becomes more prone to blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles. It can be the solution to bringing back smoothness to aging skin.
Our YEOUTH Anti-Aging Moisturizer L22 is formulated with our patented L22 Lipid Complex technology that can visibly improve the skin’s barrier by not only protecting it, but helping skin repair itself by holding moisture in. It can provide superior skin hydration and help to visibly improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, firmness and elasticity.
5. Niacinamide
Niacinamide has the ability to effectively combat the signs of skin aging. It can diminish the harmful effects of some environmental and external factors to the skin like hyperpigmentation.
Niacinamide causes the production of keratin in the skin, an essential protein found in the epidermis. Keratin creates a protective layer on the surface of the skin, and helps keep the cells together, which also serves as protection from many forms of skin damage.
Our YEOUTH Niacinamide Serum is a powerful serum that combines 10% Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and Licorice Root Extract to create an oil-balancing serum that works to give aging skin a clearer, brighter and more youthful appearance.
A chemical peel is a skincare method by which a chemical substance is applied to the skin to strip off its top layers to reveal fresh and smooth skin underneath. Chemical peels are done on the face to treat wrinkles, scars, and skin discoloration.
Our YEOUTH Glycolic Acid Gel Peel exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal an even and smoother skin surface. It is formulated with 30% Glycolic Acid, Retinol, and Green Tea to fortify skin. You can expect visible improvement in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and overall skin texture.
7. Sun protection
Wear sunscreen. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Wear a hat. Use clothing that provides sun protection. Just follow these simple and basic rules on sun protection to avoid bearing the harmful damage that photoaging can have on the skin. Young or old, suffering from skin aging or not, protect yourself from the sun!
The takeaway
Nature, technology, our common sense and having the patience to spend a few minutes a day to care for your health and skin plays a huge role in delaying the onset of premature signs of aging. Proper skincare and lifestyle adjustments can make a huge impact on skin health. We can all grow old gracefully and beautifully with the proper lifestyle adjustments and effective skincare routine.
YEOUTH Neck Firming Cream with Green Tea, Argireline and Vitamin C $25.95 (2oz.)
Our YEOUTH Neck Firming Cream is formulated with Green Tea which is a natural antioxidant that nourishes and calms skin. With Argireline peptides that support healthy collagen production and help improve the appearance of wrinkles for a smoother, firmer and more toned-looking jawline, neck and chest. And with Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant with many benefits. It helps brighten and fade the appearance of age spots for more youthful, healthy-looking skin. The perfect combination of ingredients to banish away signs of aging!