Skin Aging

1.    The sun. UV rays induce skin-aging inflammation and generate free radicals, which make the sun the biggest threat to skin’s collagen, not to mention the fact that UV exposure puts you at a dramatically increased risk for developing skin cancer. UV light also worsens and causes hyperpigmentation. It is always a good idea to protect your skin from the sun with a combination of avoidance and vigilant sunscreen-application. Avoid sun at midday, and wear sunscreen every day, even if you are not planning a lot of outdoor time. If you are going to be in direct sunlight, invest in hats and sun-protective clothing.

2.    Smoking. It breaks down collagen, one of the most critical structural poteins in your skin. The result is premature aging in the form of lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin firmness. It is also decreases blood flow to the skin, leaves the complexion sallow and less radiant and damaging toxins build up.

3.    Genetics. To some extent, each person’s aging process is the unavoidable result of the genes they inherited. There’s not much to be done about this one.

4.   Pollution. The exhaust-belching cars and other pollutants in our modern environments also cause of free radicals in the skin. Free radicals attack vital skin components like collagen, resulting in skin aging. Antioxidants calm free radicals by delivering the electrons they seek and as a result, they also stave off free radicals’ aging effects. You can get antioxidants through green tea, dark chocolate, and lots of fruits and veggies, particularly berries and pomegranates.

5.    Lack of moisture. It is a sign that your skin isn’t holding on to enough water to allow its repair enzymes to work properly. You skin becomes less able to naturally heal the inflammation caused by external attackers like the sun, pollution. This time you need moisturizer. Ideally, a moisturizer should not only temporarily hydrate, but also strengthen skin so that it can retain moisture more effectively. Check the ingredient lists for ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.