Have you ever wondered why your skin changes so drastically as you age? The process of skin aging is a fascinating and complex phenomenon that affects all of us at some point in our lives. From the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to the loss of elasticity and firmness, understanding how your skin ages can help you make informed choices when it comes to skincare and effective anti-aging solutions. It’s no secret that we all want to unlock the key to youthful radiance, right?
In this blog post, we'll delve into the science behind some of the key ingredients in our ageless skin VITAMINS, specifically looking at how they help to slow down the skin’s aging process.
How does the skin age?
Skin aging occurs through a combination of internal and external factors that impact the structure and function of your skin over time. Here's a breakdown of some of the key processes involved in skin aging:
Internal factors
- Decreased collagen and elastin
Collagen and elastin are proteins responsible for maintaining the skin's structure and elasticity. As we age, the production of these proteins naturally declines, leading to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
- Reduced hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that helps retain moisture in the skin, providing plumpness and hydration. Its levels decrease with age, contributing to dryness and a loss of skin volume.
External factors
- UV radiation
Spending too much time under the sun or in tanning beds can speed up skin aging, and that's not what we want! Those sneaky UV rays can actually harm the collagen and elastin fibres in your skin, causing wrinkles to show up earlier than they should, age spots to appear, and contributing to an uneven skin tone.
- Environmental stressors
Pollution, cigarette smoke, and other environmental pollutants generate free radicals, which cause oxidative stress in the skin. This oxidative stress accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, contributing to more wrinkles and an overall dull complexion.
- Lifestyle factors
Excessive alcohol consumption, foods that are packed with preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, a lack of exercise and chronic stress can impact your skin health and accelerate aging processes.
- Repetitive facial expressions
Now we’re not saying you have to keep a straight face your whole life, but when it comes to wrinkles, your facial expressions matter! Repeated facial movements, such as frowning or squinting, can cause dynamic wrinkles over time. These wrinkles become more pronounced as the skin's elasticity decreases.
- Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the skin, often caused from the sun or environmental factors we discussed above, can accelerate the aging process. Inflammation triggers the release of enzymes that break down collagen and elastin fibres, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
How to slow down skin aging
While it goes without saying that healthy habits including following a regular skincare regime; eating antioxidant-rich foods (and staying hydrated); getting plenty of sleep; making sure to do moderate exercise and reducing stress will all contribute to helping you look and feel your best - if you really want to improve your skin’s overall tone and texture and delay the early signs of aging, a more targeted approach can help.
In addition to using topical products with antioxidants such as vitamins A and C, studies have shown that taking certain skin-related supplements such as collagen, do help to improve skin elasticity, moisture and overall hydration levels, which of course means fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
Here are a few more anti-aging hero ingredients you should look for in a good-quality skin nutraceutical:
Resveratrol
Derived from plants, resveratrol has gained recognition for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps combat the visible signs of aging by neutralising free radicals in the skin and supporting cellular repair and rejuvenation – as it offers powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
According to a study in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, resveratrol has hydrating effects and can help to improve skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, while also reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.
Co-enzyme Q10
There’s a reason why so many anti-aging skincare products contain co-enzyme Q10. This powerful antioxidant is even more effective when taken in nutraceutical form as studies have shown that it significantly reduces wrinkles and fine lines while improving overall skin smoothness and tone.
Fisetin
The flavonoid fisetin, that’s typically found in fruits like strawberries and apples, helps to protect the skin and slow down the aging process by reducing the production of certain enzymes that speed up aging and break down collagen and elastin in the skin.
Studies also demonstrate that fisetin offers a shield to protect the skin from UV damage and oxidative stress.
L -Methionine
L-Methionine is an essential amino acid for healthy skin, hair and nails. Studies have shown that this amino acid has plenty of benefits for the skin and body including assisting with the body’s detoxification processes, supporting the production of collagen, reducing inflammation and damage caused by environmental factors, plus enhancing the skin's natural defence mechanisms against the sun.
Hyaluronic acid
Known for its exceptional hydrating properties, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture in the skin, thus preventing dryness and dehydration.
It’s been used extensively in both topical skincare products and supplements because, according to studies, it has shown so much promise in boosting the skin’s natural plumpness and radiance, subsequently minimising fine lines and wrinkles.
Experience the benefits of collagen synthesis, antioxidant protection, enhanced wound healing, detoxification, and UV defence with our carefully selected blend, including L-Methionine and other potent ingredients. Don't just cover up signs of aging, address them at their source! It's time to unlock your skin's true potential.
Read more about our exclusive formula in our ageless skin VITAMINS