How Your Skin Ages
All living things, including your skin, age over time. The good news is, by understanding how your skin ages and the factors that affect it, you’ll be better able to protect your skin’s health and reduce the visible signs of premature aging.
There are many factors that influence aging, some of which we can control, and some of which we can’t. Genetic factors that contribute to aging are called “intrinsic factors.” These are factors that we can’t choose or directly influence – after all, you can’t choose your genes. Other factors, such as diet and exercise, how much time we spend in the sun, and whether or not we smoke, are called “extrinsic factors” and these can be influenced by our lifestyle choices. Of course, intrinsic and extrinsic factors are interlinked, so that each one impacts the other. While this interplay is not fully understood, the physiological changes in the skin that occur as we age have been well studied.
Over time, the skin decreases in thickness, with the fat layer that underlies and supports the structure of the skin diminishing. Cellular activity in the skin slows down, so the rate at which cells produce the components that give our skin its elasticity and suppleness, like collagen and elastin, decreases. Cellular turnover, which allows younger skin cells to replace older cells, also decreases, leading to duller and flakier skin. Oil glands produce less oil, making the skin feel dry and tight. These effects also make it easier for wrinkles to form. To further these aging effects, the skin is also less able to repair itself, so any damage that occurs accumulates more quickly and the skin’s natural defenses become impaired. In essence, your skin slowly loses its ability to perform its many intended functions as well as it once did. All of this contributes to visible signs of aging, but luckily there are things you can do to reduce these effects!
Protecting your skin from environmental stressors like excessive UV exposure and cigarette smoke can help protect against premature aging. Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can benefit your health, as well as the health of your skin. Using skincare products that work to counteract the common causes of premature aging can also help to keep your skin looking youthful. PhytoSpherix® (phytoglycogen) provides energy to your skin to promote cellular renewal and increases the production rates of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – all of which help to rejuvenate your complexion and promote more youthful looking skin!
While you may not be able to choose your skin type or your genes, there are things you can do to influence the way your skin ages. Being proactive about your skin’s health can make a difference!
