Aging skin is perhaps the most serious skin concern faced by women. After all, who likes to see their skin wrinkled and marked with fine lines? And when they do, women can go to extreme lengths to seek the youthful skin of the past.
While some try out every anti-aging skincare line available in the market, others spend extravagant amounts for complex Botox procedures.
However, preventing premature aging or just delaying the signs of aging is not very difficult. All you need to do is take some preventive measures and take good care of your skin.
Causes of Skin Aging
As we age, our skin grows old as well. However, there are other factors that accelerate the aging process of the skin as well. Here are some common ones.
Prolonged Sun Exposure
Prolonged and unprotected exposure to sunlight is the primary cause that fuels the aging process of the skin. This is because sunlight comprises of dangerous ultraviolet radiation that penetrates deep inside the skin surface and causes intrinsic damage to the cells.
The UVA and UVB rays continue to add up over the years and break down the collagen and elastin fibers within the skin cells. As a result, the skin becomes dry, begins to sag, and distinctive wrinkles and fine lines appear on the surface.
Loss of Collagen and Elastin
The collagen fibers are responsible for the firmness of the skin. It is what keeps your skin tight and taut. Likewise, the elastin fibers are responsible for skin elasticity. It allows the skin to stretch and strain without getting ruptured.
However, as we age, the production collagen and elastin fibers slow down and the result shows on the skin tone and texture.
Gravity
Gravity is yet another factor that contributes to the development of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin and making it saggy. Gravity affects the connective ligament-like tissues that joins the fat pads of the face. This results in the deterioration of the skin texture.
Facial Expressions
All the facial expressions that you make during your lifetime affect your skin in the later stages. All the lines that are formed on your face when you smile, frown, glare, and squint can become deep-set over the years and make permanent residence on your face.
Excessive facial movements can cause lines and wrinkles and even accentuate the already existent ones
Tips for Younger Looking Skin
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend millions or go under the knife to get younger-looking skin. In fact, you can make your skin look younger by simple procedures and using good anti-aging skincare products.
Here are some tips that will help you achieve younger-looking skin.
Use Anti Aging Skin Care Products
There are a variety of anti-aging skincare products and skin treatments available in the market that help to treat the various signs of aging skin and get you healthy and younger-looking skin.
Look for products that contain powerful anti-aging ingredients like retinol, retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids, etc. that eliminates aging signs and make the skin smooth and supple.
These ingredients also help to stimulate the production of collagen which further improves skin quality.
Product Suggestions:
Kinerase Cream – It is an amazing anti-aging cream that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases the skin’s capacity to retain moisture. It contains Kinetin, a plant-based agent that helps the skin retain moisture.
Moisturize Intensively
Aging skin is characterized by excessive dryness. This is because the skin loses moisture as it ages and thus becomes dry and flaky.
Therefore it is very important to supply moisture topically and keep the skin well hydrated. Use rich creamy moisturizers that hydrate your skin intensively and keep it smooth and supple.
Use Broad Spectrum Sunscreens
Whenever you venture out in the sun, make sure you slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen all over the exposed areas of the body. The sunscreen should protect against the UVA as well as the UVB rays of the sun.
Product Suggestions:
La Roche Posay Anthelios SX – It is a non-greasy sunscreen that has intensive moisturizing properties as well. It offers broad-spectrum protection against the UVA and UVB rays of the sun and also protects against sunburn.
It contains Mexoryl SX which is photostable against UVA rays so it does not breakdown and lasts longer than most sunscreens. Because it is free of fragrances and Paba, it does not make your skin greasy.
Dr. Marilynn Syrett is a graduate from Western University of Health Sciences. She has authored several articles about antiaging skincare products including many from Obagi and iS Clinical range of skincare products.