The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is often taken for granted. When one hears the words, “ageing skin” they think of somebody over 30 and with sun-damaged spots all over, however, ageing skin doesn’t always rely on time alone but various other environmental factors, so if you’re not using the right skincare products or following the correct regimen for your skin you can look 35 even though you're just 28.
How does skin age?
Human skin is made up of 3 layers, the top layer is called the “Epidermis”, the middle layer is known as the “Dermis” and the bottom/ fatty layer is called the “Hypodermis”. As we age the outer layer starts to thin down even though the number of skin cells does not decrease with it, instead it remains unchanged. But there is a change that takes place, the Melanocytes (cells responsible for our pigment) are decreasing, whilst the rest of the cells continue to increase in size. This is why it is easy to pick out somebody who is ageing from a crowd as their skin looks paler and more translucent than others, especially in light coloured skin tones.
As our skin's connective tissues continue to lose their elasticity and strength, the outer layer starts to look a lot like leather, but this occurs in people who spend a lot of time outdoors and expose themselves to a lot of sunlight and harsh environmental factors WITHOUT the correct protection for their skin. That’s how it is easy to spot an adventure seeker from a bookworm.
The key to embracing your ageing skin is rather simple and only needs the correct ingredients in your skincare products and consistency:
- Stay hydrated.
- Wear protective clothing including hats when outdoors.
- Make sure to screen yourself yearly for skin cancer.
Bonus tip
Wear “Broad-Spectrum '' sunscreen religiously: UVA and UVB sun rays are the biggest cause for ageing and without any protection from it, can cause your skin to burn. It is important to understand which sunscreen to use and what ingredients to look out for. The best daily recommendation is SPF 30. There are 2 types of sunscreens to look out for, mineral- these have ingredients that sit on top of the skin and deflects the harmful rays and chemical broad-spectrum- gets absorbed into your skin and prevents the sun rays from damaging your skin cells. Whilst it is your own personal preference which to use, it's important to understand that mineral options are far less likely to irritate your skin as they contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are both safe and highly effective sunscreen ingredients.
5 trending ingredients for ageing skin
Understanding how our skin ages are important, but knowing how to treat it and what ingredients to look at when picking up products and manufacturing skincare products is just as vital. Let’s take a look at 5 key ingredients to help with mature skin:
Hyaluronic Acid: Let’s understand first and foremost that this is a natural ingredient that our bodies produce up until the age of around 20. There have been many reservations that anything with the word “acid” in it can’t be good for you, or will eventually eat away at your skin, NOT TRUE! Think of this trending ingredient as a sponge trap, Hyaluronic acid draws in water to your skin and then traps it keeping your skin moisturised and looking plump, so no more fine lines when you smile. However, this ingredient cannot work alone, there needs to be moisture present in your skin in order for Hyaluronic acid to work its magic of trapping and plumping, so the best way to maximise your skincare regime is to apply this cream onto already damp skin or rub this into your skin and add another moisturiser on top of it.
Retinol (Vitamin A): This is more of a skin transformation ingredient as it increases the rate at which your skin cells exfoliate/ turn over. It is great in the world of anti-ageing as it targets sun damage, fine lines, gets rid of blemishes and also that embarrassing issue of adult acne. Retinol is highly recommended for bedtime use only as it is inactive in sunlight and you don’t need a lot, a single dot mixed with your hydration cream is enough for your entire face. However, like many other ingredients, this one has some downside and may not be for everybody, as it can irritate some skin types leaving redness and even flaking. The key to using this ingredient is to slowly introduce it into your regime and use it with your moisturiser, not on its own.
Vitamin C: At the mere mention of this ingredient you immediately think of citrus fruits and Flu Cure, but this humble ingredient has many other benefits for your skin too. It serves as an exfoliant, helps to neutralise the skin-damaging free radicals which are usually caused by external factors (pollution, sun damage, etc) and also helps with balancing the excess production of skin pigments which helps to fade off spots and any discolouration, so no more patchy looking skin. Like with Vitamin A, this is also an ingredient that is best used with a topical cream at night as it is inactive when exposed to sunlight. With that being said, the best way to bottle up this ingredient is in dark coloured glass bottles. If you’re packaging or buying any skincare products containing vitamins A and C if they are in clear/ light-coloured bottles, chances are the healing golden properties of these vitamins are now dead.
Protein (Collagen): As important as protein is to a vegetarian, the same can be said for your skin. Collagen is the foundation for having strong and firm skin. Although our bodies produce natural collagen, as we age this production level slows down and we need to purposefully select our skincare products to help maintain these levels if we want to give our skin a fighting chance against the inevitable environmental factors like sun exposure (otherwise known as photoaging), smoking, air pollution and more. As important as this ingredient is, it is not that simple to ingest and expect results immediately. This is something that is there to assist and not replace lost collagen, so bearing that in mind there are various ways to ingest this into your body, topically, through pills and various powder forms as well. Think of this ingredient as an assistant and not a replacement.
Ceramides: This is a lipid (which is an organic compound that is insoluble in water, but is soluble in organic solvents like oils, waxes, steroids, etc). Ceramides have 2 key roles to play, to keep hydration and moisture locked into your skin and to keep all irritants out. They work with your skin's outer layer otherwise known as the skin barrier and as a result, the more hydrated your skin is, the younger it will look. This is a key ingredient to look out for in your skincare products if you also have eczema as well, as this is compatible with all skin types and has no side effects.
Ageing is inevitable and the sooner we embrace it mentally, the longer we may live. There is scientific evidence that people who maintain a positive attitude and embrace their ageing process can recover from certain disabilities and live longer healthier lives, not to mention be happier too.
-Ari
