Causes & Triggers
Skin ages due to a combination of factors, both internal and external. Understanding these factors helps us to care for skin as it ages, reduce the visible signs of skin aging and prevent premature skin aging.
How does the skin aging process work?
Skin aging takes place in every layer of the skin and shows itself on the surface.
Epidermal layers
A loss of hyaluronic acid content, slower cell turnover and reduction in sebum production on the skin’s surface makes roughness and dryness more likely. As this particular layer of the skin ages it becomes more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Skin is less efficient at healing itself, and a reduced immune function can lead to an increase in skin infections together with slower wound healing.
Dermal layers
From about the age of 25, collagen, one of skin’s building blocks, decreases by 1% each year. Together with a decline in functional elastin, this leads to dermal tissue disorganization. Skin structure is compromised and fine lines and wrinklesare more likely. As our skin matures, elasticity continues to reduce and deeper wrinklesform. The production of hyaluronic acid – plentiful in youthful skin – slows down, so skin cells are less effective at binding in water and skin is prone to dryness. It also becomes weaker and more prone to damage and broken capillaries. Reduced micro-circulation means a less efficient delivery of nutrition and oxygen to the surface, which leads to a decrease in the radiance enjoyed by youthful skin.
Subdermal layers
In the deeper layers, the most notable changes are the reduction in size and number of lipid-storing cells in the adipose layer. This results in sagging skin and a loss of volumeand can lead to deep wrinklesand hollow temples and cheeks.
What are the internal causes of skin aging?
Some of the causes of skin aging are inevitable. Our biological age determines structural changes in the skin and the efficiency of cell functions. These slow down with each passing year.
Hormonal influences. Decreasing levels of estrogen (instruction giving hormones) result in reduced messaging between the cells.
A poorer blood supply to the skin means the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin’s surface is impeded. The radiance that is a feature of young skin fades, and skin becomes duller.
Genetics. Genetics play a key role in how skin ages. The phototype and skin type we are born with make a difference to how quickly signs of aging appear on skin’s surface. For example:
- Fair or phototype I – II and/or sensitive skin is more prone to wrinkles at an earlier age than darker phototype V - VI
- Phototype III can be prone to uneven skin tone, but wrinkles appear at a later age than for other phototypes
Find out more in How skin differs between the major ethnic groups.
What are the external causes of skin aging?
The external factors affecting the speed with which the skin ages are all due to one process: oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress releases molecules called free radicals that consist of a single unpaired electron in an outer shell. Free radicals cause premature aging by damaging skin cell structures and breaking down skin components such as hyaluronic acid, collagen and functional elastin. Under normal circ*mstances, free radicals are caught and neutralized by antioxidants in the skin: molecules with the ability to absorb and stop them. However, over time, the skin’s ability to de-activate free radicals decreases. The result is damage to all components of the skin’s cells.
Oxidative stress is triggered and accelerated by a variety of lifestyle factors:
Sun
The sun’s rays are the primary external cause of skin aging via oxidative stress. Skin damage caused by the sun is known as photoagingand uneven pigmentationis often one of the first visible signs to appear. And it’s not just prolonged UV exposure that causes skin damage; everyday exposure effects skin too.
Pollution
Exposure to pollution, most commonly in cities, can trigger the release of skin damaging free radicals. Pollution also worsens the effects of sun exposure accelerating oxidative stress.
Smoking
The chemicals and nicotine contained in cigarettes are responsible for an upsurge in the number of free radicals in the skin. Like pollution, they intensify the effects of sun exposure leading to oxidative stress.
Nutrition
Antioxidants are molecules with the ability to neutralize the free radicals that damage skin and speed up skin aging. Eating lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables is an important part of caring for our skin as it ages.
Inappropriate skincare
Skin will age more quickly if it is poorly cared for or if you use products that irritate skin. Thorough cleansing using gentle products appropriate for skin type, together with the regular application of care products targeted at skin’s primary concern, will help to care for skin. Effective sun protection is key to preventing premature skin aging.
