Want to Take Years Off Your Skin? Here's How.

With age comes wisdom… and wrinkles and saggy skin. That’s right, death and taxes aren’t the only thing certain in life. But while many causes of skin aging are entirely natural and can’t be altered, there are several external factors that cause skin to age prematurely.

However, these can be controlled and reduced by introducing a holistic approach to your lifestyle and skincare. If you’re wondering how to look younger, this little debrief will explore aging skin’s main signs and symptoms, the main internal and external causes, and how best to care for your skin as you age.

Some signs of skin aging are also inevitable, which can be attributed to internal, intrinsic or chronological aging. Our biological age determines structural changes in the skin and the efficiency of cell functions, and these slow down over time.

These are the the most common causes of skin aging: 

Hormones

Hormones have control over so much in our lives. When it comes to skin aging, decreasing levels of estrogen (instruction-giving hormones) result in reduced messaging between the cells.

Blood Supply

Glowy, radiant, supple skin is a sign of youth, but as we age, dullness is often an indicator. There are many reasons for dull skin, low blood supply being among them. When you have poor blood supply, this means the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin’s surface is impeded.

Genes

We’ll put money on it that you have a friend who barely sleeps, and lives off coffee and cabernet—yet said friend has better skin than anyone else you know. That’s what you’d call genetics. We can’t stress the role of genetics enough. You may be too blessed to be stressed, or you may be confused for 45 at the age of 30. The skin type you’re born with impacts how quickly signs of aging appear on your skin's surface. Unfortunately there’s no amount of lasers or tweakments that can alter genetics. You can thank mom and dad for that one!

What Ages It More...

As we’ve stated above, there are certain inevitable aspects of aging, regardless of your rigorous skincare routine or diligent workout schedule. As skin ages, its cell turnover slows, as does its production of sebum and hyaluronic acid, which are vital for the skin’s ability to retain moisture. This makes the skin drier and rougher—and as a result, fine lines and wrinkles appear.

Sun Exposure

Saturday sunbathing may be your favorite way to unwind after a long week, but it will leave you with even more stress when it results in signs of aging. The sun’s rays are the primary external cause of skin aging, due to oxidative stress. Skin damage caused by the sun is known as photoaging, and uneven pigmentation is often one of the first visible signs of aging to appear. For this reason, it’s important to take preventative action before the sun catches up to you.

Pollution

Unless you’re at an airport, air pollution isn’t always something you can see off the bat. Like, who knew the beautiful beaches of Malibu also offer exposure to air pollution, which can trigger the release of skin-damaging free radicals? Pollution also worsens the effects of sun exposure, further accelerating oxidative stress.

Smoking

Here’s another obvious one, but important to note nonetheless… Thanks to chemicals and nicotine contained in cigarettes, the number of free radicals in the skin are increased. And like pollution, cigarettes can also intensify the effects of sun exposure.

Poor Nutrition

Once again, this should come as no surprise, but the less nutrients you consume, the less likely you are to age with glowy, supple skin. The skin needs antioxidants, which are molecules with the ability to neutralize free radicals that damage skin and speed up skin aging. Eating lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables (think berries, green tea and avocado) is an important part of caring for our skin as it ages.

Find the Right Skincare...

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: skincare isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation; nor should it be rushed. Slathering on all the acids you can rummage up won’t get you anywhere -- except worse than where you began. And just because a particular product works wonders for your sister, doesn’t mean it’ll have the same effect on you. Skin will age more quickly if it’s poorly cared for, or if you use products that irritate your skin. 

To avoid unsuitable skincare, begin by assembling a doctor-approved routine. Then incorporate thorough cleansing, using gentle products appropriate for your skin type, along with products targeted at your skin’s primary concern. This is one of the easiest ways to avoid showing signs of aging.

How To Care For Ageing Skin

Aging is inevitable, but you take the wheel when it comes to caring for aging skin. Being influenced by natural (internal) and controllable (external) factors requires a holistic approach to your lifestyle choices, and implementing a solid skincare routine is best for preventing premature skin aging.

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

When learning how to slow aging (well, signs of it), first thing’s first: Protect your skin from the sun. It’s no secret that exposure to the sun can damage your skin, leading to premature aging and wrinkles. According to a 2013 study, regular sunscreen use has the ability to slow down the signs of aging skin. To protect your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays, slather that SPF30-SPF50 all over your skin, even if it’s overcast. 

Moisturize Daily

When it comes to skincare 101, moisturizer is a universal must, regardless of age. So imagine how important it is as you get older. This easy anti-aging treatment acts like a glass of water for your face, thanks to its ability to nourish and hydrate the skin. As you get older and your skin becomes drier, it becomes more susceptible to wrinkles and needs to stay hydrated. Research shows that using a moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are especially effective at preventing wrinkles from forming or getting deeper.

Stay Hydrated

It’s a tale as old as time: Keeping that trusty water bottle by your side can keep your skin dewy and delightful. Yep, when it comes to how to keep skin young, the answer is inside your fridge. 

Drinking water is essential for good health in general. Your body needs water for almost every function. Besides vitals like flushing toxins from your body, aiding with digestion, and regulating your body temperature, water can also help keep your skin healthy and hydrated from the inside. According to a 2015 study that was conducted on a healthy group of women, it was determined that higher water input can have an effect on the hydration of the skin, and it may positively affect skin physiology.

Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods

It may be time to restock your pantry. But not so fast—what you pile up on makes a difference. A Dutch study from 2019 with more than 2,700 participants found that dietary habits are associated with facial wrinkling, especially in women. According to the study, women whose diets include a high amount of red meat and unhealthy snacks tend to have more facial wrinkles than women who eat more fruit. Foods high in anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties may also improve the skin’s elasticity and protect against skin damage and premature aging.

Quit Smoking

If you’re curious how to prevent wrinkles, start with kicking your smoking habit to the curb. In addition to the potential for lung cancer, tobacco smoke damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give your skin its elasticity and strength. Additionally, the repeated pursing of the lips to inhale may lead to premature wrinkling around the mouth.

A 2013 study on 79 pairs of identical twins found that the twins who smoked had significantly more wrinkles than their counterparts who didn’t smoke. If you have a habit you just can’t quit, you’re not alone. There are programs designed so you can eventually hang up your smoking habit for good and go on with the rest of your happy, healthy life. Talk to your healthcare provider about a smoking cessation program to help you quit.

Relax Your Expression

And you thought kicking your smoking habit was hard! This one may be even more difficult. If you really want to avoid wrinkles and other signs of aging, try your best to avoid repeated facial movements. Squinting, frowning, or pursing of the lips can speed up the formation of wrinkles. Basically, become an emotionless human (we kid!). 

Jokes aside, if you find yourself squinting frequently, it may be a sign you need to get your eyes checked or you need a stronger prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. If you find yourself frowning or scowling often, it may be a sign you need to destress.

It’s Never Too Late To Take Care Of Your Skin

If you feel behind in your skincare journey, worry not–it’s never too late to get on track! Lifestyle factors like eating a vitamin-rich diet, drinking plenty of water, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking, and managing your stress play a key role when it comes to keeping your skin healthy and youthful.

By protecting your skin from the sun, you give it a chance to repair some of the damage. Using a retinoid and a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C can also be effective at preventing the onset of premature aging. And even if you already show those dreaded signs of aging, it’s still not too late to turn back the clock. Implementing simple lifestyle changes can do you wonders.