Skin Care and Aging: Keeping Your Skin Healthy and Youthful

Skin aging is a complex process caused by both intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) factors. Intrinsic aging is influenced by hormonal changes and is inevitable, while extrinsic aging is caused by exposure to environmental factors, such as UV radiation. 

Both intrinsic and extrinsic aging can lead to collagen degradation, dryness, loss of elasticity, and wrinkling of the skin. Skin aging is also associated with loss of skin moisture, due to decreased production of hyaluronic acid.

 How to Naturally Reduce Wrinkles with Food (YouTube link)

Skin Aging

Human skin aging is a complex biological process, not yet fully understood. It is the result of two biologically independent processes:^[1]

1. Intrinsic or innate aging
2. Extrinsic aging

Intrinsic or Innate aging

An unpreventable process, which affects the skin in the same pattern as it affects all internal organs
Is influenced by hormonal changes that occur with age.   It is well established that the deficiency in estrogens and androgens results in collagen degradation, dryness, loss of elasticity, epidermal atrophy and wrinkling of the skin.^[2]

Androgens^[2]

• Recent findings suggest that skin and its appendages are steroidogenic tissues that can be significantly affected by sex steroids, particularly androgens. 
• Androgens have been shown to modulate epidermal and dermal thickness, and changes in circulating androgen levels with age can alter key functions of the skin, such as epidermal barrier homeostasis, wound healing, sebaceous gland growth and differentiation, and hair growth. This can leave the skin susceptible to infections and several disease states.

 
Estrogens^[3]

• Estrogens improves the skin in a number of ways, including increasing collagen content and quality, increasing skin thickness, enhancing vascularization, and improving the extracellular matrix, which is responsible for the skin's tone and appearance.
• Skin aging is not entirely estrogen-dependent, as the ravages of time and the external environment also play important roles.

Extrinsic aging

The result of exposure to external factors, mainly ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, that is also referred to as photoaging.

• The sun's harmful UV radiation can damage telomeres, specialized structures found at the ends of chromosomes, and lead to the formation of free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to aging.
• The most visible signs of photoaging, or premature skin aging caused by sun exposure, are wrinkling and pigmentary changes. Photoaging can also lead to various forms of skin cancer.

Loss of Skin Moisture: A Key Sign of Skin Aging

Skin aging is also associated with dryness, caused by the loss of a key molecule called hyaluronic acid (HA). HA has the unique ability to bind and retain water molecules, which helps to keep the skin plump and youthful. As we age, our production of HA decreases, leading to drier, more wrinkled skin.^[6]

Tips for Preventing Photoaging and Keeping Your Skin Healthy as You Age

Sun protection: Avoid the sun's harmful UV rays as much as possible

• Seek shade whenever possible, wear protective clothing, and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin every day, even on cloudy days. 
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you are sweating or swimming.

Retinoids:

• Retinoids can help to improve the appearance of photoaged skin. Apply a retinoid cream or serum to your face, neck, and chest every night.
• Using retinoids can reduce collagen breakdown and boost collagen production

Antioxidants: can help to protect your skin from free radical damage

• Include antioxidants in your diet by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 
• You can also apply antioxidant serums and creams to your skin.

Other tips:

• Stay hydrated
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin plump and hydrated.
• Eat a healthy diet
• Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods to nourish your skin from the inside out.
• Manage stress
• Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and spending time with loved ones.
• Don't smoke
• Smoking damages the skin and accelerates aging.
• Moisturize regularly
• Use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type to keep your skin hydrated and protect it from the elements.
• For dry, cracked skin, Cetaphil Cracked Skin Repair Lotion is a good option.
• See a dermatologist regularly
• Have your skin checked by a dermatologist at least once a year to identify any potential problems early on.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent photoaging and keep your skin healthy and youthful as you age.

References

1. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
2. Brincat MP. Hormone replacement therapy and the skin. Maturitas 2000; 35:107–117. 
3. Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC. Androgens and aging of the skin. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2009;16(3):240–245.
4. Baumann L. Skin ageing and its treatment. J Pathol. 2007;211:241–51. doi: 10.1002/path.2098.
5. Skin Care and Aging
6. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging