It's easy to
forget that the skin is an organ - just like our heart or liver - which
performs a list of life-sustaining tasks. It regulates body temperature. It is
the body's sensor, registering pressure, temperature and pain. It is a barrier
against the elements and a shield against bacteria and viruses.
It is also the
body's 'mirror'. When we're tired, not eating properly, or physically or
emotionally stressed, our skin reacts.
Skin is also the
body's first line of defence. As such, it is easily damaged both by external
causes - sunlight, air pollution - and internal factors, such as cigarette
smoke or a diet that lacks nutrients, particularly antioxidant nutrients such
as vitamin C and E. It is the way we treat our skin - not the ageing process -
that 'ages' facial skin the most.
20s
The skin begins to slowly and steadily age. Dead skin cells are not
replaced as quickly, collagen production slows and our skin loses elasticity.
Signs of this type of aging include:- Thinner skin
- Fine lines
- Dry, itchy skin
In our 20s, our main priority is to protect our skin and
help it repair daily damage to prevent the formation of premature fine lines
and wrinkles.
Our skin’s rate of regeneration slows down dramatically,
leading to a dull and uneven complexion.
30s
Our main priority is to help slow the degradation of
collagen and elastin by fighting free radical damage, while also helping
stimulate their production. To maintain a youthful and dewy glow, it is also
important to help skin promote its natural exfoliation, allowing younger skin
cells to surface.
The layer of adipose tissue starts to diminish during this
time, leading to thinner and more sensitive skin. The moisture barrier also
begins its decay, leading to noticeably dryer and less elastic skin. Freckles,
sun spots, age spots, and spider veins starts to show.
40s
It is important that we boost our level of skin hydration
and use ingredients that are mild and non-irritating, all while helping even
tone, reduce redness, and increase firmness and elasticity.
Hormonal changes send the skin into overdrive. The most
noticeable change is the level of hydration, which is due to a rapid
deterioration of our skin's moisture barrier. To fight this, it is important
that we treat our skin with highly hydrating ingredients that also work to help
repair the barrier at the same time. The skin also becomes thinner, pores
become larger, and the surface layer of immunity on the skin drastically
decreases.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
