Skin is the largest organ of our body. Since it’s exposed to the external environment constantly, it suffers from both extrinsic and intrinsic factors of aging. This results in loss of elasticity, rough texture, and wrinkling, among other things.
Skin aging is a natural process every person goes through over the years. However, there are ways to slow down the onset of aging skin and even reverse some symptoms.
In this article, you’ll find out about some great tips and products that can really make a difference for aging skin.
Table of Contents:
- What is Aging Skin?
- Effects of Aging on Skin
- Best Ingredients for Aging Skin
- Product Recommendations for Aging Skin
- How to prevent premature aging of the skin?
What is Aging Skin?
As people grow older, the skin texture changes, with sagging skin and wrinkles becoming more apparent. Here are some of the many important functions of our skin:
- It helps in controlling fluid and electrolyte balance.
- It contains the nerve receptors that allow us to feel pressure, pain, and touch.
- It helps in controlling body temperature.
- It protects our body from the environment.
Effects of Aging on Skin
To understand how skin aging occurs, it is important to understand our skin composition. It is divided into three layers:
Epidermis: This is the outermost layer that contains proteins, skin cells, and pigment.
Dermis: This is the middle layer that contains blood vessels, hair follicles, nerves, skin cells, and oil glands.
Subcutaneous Layer: This is the inner layer of the skin that contains blood vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, and also fat.
The effects of aging on the skin are:
- As you age, the outer layer or the epidermis starts thinning, even though the other skin cell layers remain roughly unchanged.
- The number of melanocytes (pigment-containing cells) decreases, while the size of the remaining melanocytes starts increasing. This makes the skin look paler, thinner, and more translucent. Areas that are frequently exposed to the sun might also develop pigmented spots, known as liver or age spots.
- With aging, the skin’s connective tissue changes, which reduces the skin's elasticity and strength. This condition is known as elastosis, and it is usually more noticeable in the areas exposed to the sun. Elastosis is commonly observed in the form of weather-beaten and leathery skin.
- The blood vessels in the dermis also become more fragile, which can lead to cherry angiomas, bleeding and bruising under the skin, and other similar skin conditions.
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The oil production capacity of the skin decreases significantly, making it harder to keep the skin moist. This is why aging skin is itchier and drier. This condition is more apparent in women after menopause, as men usually experience a minimal decrease.
- The subcutaneous layer, which contains fat, also starts thinning. This means less padding and insulation. As a result, it becomes difficult to manage body temperature, and also increases the risk of injuries.
- The sweat production decreases, making it harder to keep the skin cool. Also, there’s a higher risk of getting heat strokes.
- Warts, skin tags, blemishes, and seborrheic keratoses are also more common in aging skin. Some people also develop rough patches that are pinkish in color, which is known as actinic keratosis.
Best Ingredients for Aging Skin
When selecting products for aging skin, it is important to look through the ingredient list. Here is a list of ingredients that can work wonders on aging skin:
Product Recommendations for Aging Skin
If you want to prevent or reduce the signs of aging, it is important to choose the products you use wisely. Here are some tips and tricks and recommendations of the excellent product for incorporating into your daily skincare routine:
1. Remove Makeup: The first step in your skincare routine should be removing the makeup. Since aging skin is thinner and prone to infections, it is important to remove the build-up of product and oils from the pores using micellar water.
2. Wash the face: The next step is washing the face with a gentle cleanser to remove any leftover product or dirt. If you can supply your skin with some good ingredients in the process, it is all the better.
3. Face Mask: Applying a good quality face mask once or twice a week can supply your skin with the nutrients it needs.
4. Toner: These are best applied soon after washing your face. A good toner can help in smoothening the texture of aging skin.
5. Serum: These skincare products are power-packed with some excellent actives which can help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
6. Hydrate: The last, but not least important step in an anti-aging skincare routine is providing it with the right amount of hydration and moisturization. Aging skin is prone to dryness, so you need to make sure that you choose a good moisturizer.
How to prevent premature aging of the skin?
Here are some steps you can take to prevent premature signs of aging:
- Apply sun protection (SPF 30 or higher) every time you go out in the sun, as UV damage is widely known to be a major contributor to wrinkles and aging.
- Cut down on your smoking (if you smoke), as it can speed up the aging process of the skin.
- Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet containing all the essential nutrients to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
- Cut down your alcohol intake as it can dehydrate aging skin.
- Exercise daily to improve blood circulation as it can give a more youthful appearance to your skin.
- Hydration is key to preventing premature signs of aging.
Now that you are equipped with the right information and tips on taking care of aging skin, you will be able to incorporate the best practices into your anti-aging skin care routine. Remember that it is never too late to reverse the signs of aging and prevent the skin damage from escalating further.
Rahul is the published author of "Heads Or Tails" and Quora writer with over 1.6 million views. He is a keen observer who enjoys the simple joys of life. He strongly believes true beauty is not how beautiful your face is but how beautiful your heart is.
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