It is essential to start taking good care of your skin, regardless of how bad it might already be. Whether you want to keep it looking young and vibrant or you need to rejuvenate mature skin, learn the causes of aging so you can better prevent the signs of it.
Intrinsic Aging vs. Extrinsic Aging
Intrinsic aging refers to the natural aging process and starts relatively early, in our mid-20s. Not as many collagen and elastin proteins are made and as these proteins age, they lose their ability to keep the skin springing back and plump. Fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging appear when these proteins decrease in number and their functioning ability. Furthermore, dead skin cells are shed more slowly as does the rate of the production of new cells. The skin heals at a slower rate and is more likely to leave unsightly scar tissue.
Extrinsic aging refers to the external factors that prematurely age the skin. Although we cannot control our gene expression and how quickly our skin ages, we can take preventative steps so that we don’t assist this detested process.
Causal Factors to Premature Aging
Exposure to the sun is the most contributing factor to premature skin aging. Unprotected sun exposure causes ‘photoaging’ which is manifested in a number of ways: dry, loose, and/or leathery skin; wrinkles; age spots; actinic keratoses; and skin cancer. As the body loses its ability to repair itself, photoaging becomes more prominent. Furthermore, studies show that UV exposure directly damages and impairs the production of new collagen and elastin proteins.
Repeated facial expressions will also become etched permanently in your face as fine lines and wrinkles. As the skin’s elasticity is lost, the skin doesn’t return to its resting, line-free state and slowly become more and more permanent. Sleeping on your stomach or side can also lead to permanent pillow imprints or wrinkles on your face. Another benefit of stress relievers is the prevention of frown and worry lines.
Smoking also contributes to accelerated aging of the skin. Smoke depletes vitamin C (a vitamin that is involved in keeping skin plump and hydrated) in the skin. Extensive smoking has also been found to turn the skin a yellowish hue.
Research is finding diet to have more of an effect on wrinkles with each new study. Studies are now showing that diets high in sugars can lead to dull and wrinkled skin. A process called glycation is the cause. This is a natural process where blood sugar attaches to proteins, turning them into harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. With more sugar in the diet, more AGEs are made that are available to damage surrounding proteins. Unfortunately, collagen and elastin proteins are most easily damaged, turning dry and fragile. High sugar diets also direct which type of collagen is found in highest quantities. Glycation causes type III collagen (the longest lasting and most stable collagen) to turn into type I (the most fragile of the three types of collagen).
Anti-Aging Skin Care
If signs of aging are already appearing in your skin, there are a number of skin rejuvenation or anti aging treatments available to try. These aging skin care treatments vary in price, invasiveness and safety. There is no easy way to know which is best for you. We all have skin with distinct responsiveness and sensitivity to different ingredients.
Now that you know the causes of extrinsic aging, look for skin care products that: speed up the shedding of dead skin cells, stimulate new cell production, neutralize harmful free radicals and heal and cause growth of collagen and elastin proteins and other skin structures. There are a number of products utilizing botanicals to stimulate skin reparation and renewal, while avoiding the harsh side effects of chemicals. Avoid those products using unnatural preservatives, dyes and perfumes as they will dry the skin and speed up the appearance of aging.
If you are in need of aging skin care, try the rejuvenating effects of the Berrysistible line of natural skin care products. The natural skin care cream boasts the anti-aging serum that activates the skin’s regenerative ability while speeding up skin turnover. As a wrinkle treatment, it scavenges free radicals, preventing premature wrinkles; repairs sun damaged skin; softens, tightens, firms and strengthens skin, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. The Revitalizer Serum and Regenerative and Moisturizing Cream will help you obtain the results you deserve, with a fresh scent that is perfume and skin-irritant free.
- Aileen Fitzharris