Skin Ageing Explained. Learn How to Slow Down Ageing Naturally

We've all experienced it – looking in the mirror one day and noticing that our skin has lost some of its youthful glow. Wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin are common signs of ageing that we will all face eventually. But what if there were ways to slow down this process? In this article, we'll dive into the causes of skin ageing and share some tips on how to keep your skin looking younger for longer.

 

What is skin ageing?

Skin ageing is a natural process that involves the gradual decline in the structure and function of the skin. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, becomes thinner, and develops wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and other blemishes. While this is an inevitable part of life, there are steps we can take to slow down the ageing process and maintain a more youthful appearance.

Causes of skin ageing

There are two main types of factors that contribute to skin ageing: intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Meaning, they either come from within, or our environment. Some things we simply can't control. But others are in our full control. Educating yourself on these factors will not only help you age more gracefully, but also improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Intrinsic factors that cause skin ageing

Intrinsic factors are the natural, internal processes that cause our skin to age. These factors include genetics, hormonal changes, and the gradual decline in collagen and elastin production, which are essential proteins that give our skin its firmness and elasticity.

We cannot control our genetics, but we can control our epigenetics. Epigenetics is the science of understanding how our genes can be turned on or off by factors like lifestyle and environment, without changing the actual DNA sequence.

Our hormones is another intrinsic factor that we can affect with our lifestyle. Hormones like human growth hormone (HGH), insulin, and estrogen play a significant role in skin ageing. HGH helps maintain skin elasticity and thickness, while insulin regulates blood sugar levels, and estrogen contributes to collagen production. As we age, the levels of these hormones naturally decline, leading to reduced collagen production, skin thinning, and the appearance of wrinkles.

Extrinsic factors that cause skin ageing

Extrinsic factors are external influences that can accelerate the skin ageing process. These factors include sun exposure, pollution, smoking, excessive toxicity, and poor nutrition. By managing these external factors, we can reduce the impact they have on our skin's ageing process.

 

How to slow down the ageing process?

There are several ways to slow down the skin ageing process. By adopting healthy habits and making specific lifestyle changes, we can keep our skin looking youthful and radiant for longer. Many people are a living proof of it. Some people look exactly their age, some look older, and some look much younger than they are. And luckily, a lot of it is in our control.

Sun protection

One of the most significant contributors to skin ageing is sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause premature ageing by breaking down collagen and elastin. To protect your skin, wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30. Unlike the common belief, you do not need to use sunscreen on cloudy days in the UK or other similar places. Use sunscreen only when spending longer time outside or while on sunny holidays.

Keep in mind that sunscreen works by blocking or absorbing UV rays, including UVB rays, which may lead to less vitamin D production in our skin. As a result, consistently wearing sunscreen without getting adequate sun exposure can contribute to a vitamin D deficiency.

To maintain healthy vitamin D levels, it's essential to balance sun protection with responsible sun exposure. For example, you could go to the sun and apply your sunscreen only after 10-15 minutes of sun exposure. This allows you to get the health benefits of the sun without damaging your skin.

Also, knowing that a recent survey in the UK showed that about 1 in 5 adults in the UK have low vitamin D levels, you should consider additional sources of vitamin D, such as taking Vitamin D3+K2 liquid drop supplement.

 

Anti-Ageing Skincare routine

A consistent skincare routine is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Cleanse your face daily to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, and follow up with a moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated. Look for products containing antioxidants and ingredients that promote collagen production, such as retinoids and peptides.

Read the review article from Glamour to learn more about the Best Moisturisers of all times. Coming back to skin care products, Retinol creams are highly effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is a type of vitamin A. There are multiple ways in which using a retinol-infused anti-ageing cream can be beneficial.

Firstly, retinol encourages collagen production, a vital protein that maintains skin's firmness and pliability. As we grow older, collagen production decreases, resulting in wrinkles and fine lines. Retinol assists in increasing collagen production, thus lessening the appearance of wrinkles and enhancing the overall texture and hue of the skin.

Moreover, retinol aids in accelerating the skin's natural cell regeneration process, which decelerates as we age. By hastening cell regeneration, retinol enables the shedding of old, damaged skin cells and fosters the growth of new, healthy skin cells. This contributes to the improvement of skin texture and clarity, diminishing the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.

Finally, retinol has been demonstrated to enhance skin elasticity, which is crucial for preserving a youthful appearance. By increasing elasticity, retinol helps minimise the presence of sagging skin and promotes a more firm and toned complexion.

 

Healthy Anti-Ageing diet

What we eat can significantly impact our skin's health and appearance. Consuming natural whole foods like wild oily fish, organic pasture-raised eggs, leafy greens, colorful vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries, dark chocolate, and extra virgin olive oil can contribute to slowing down skin ageing. These foods provide essential nutrients and antioxidants that promote skin health and combat the ageing process.

Organic pasture-raised eggs: These eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential for skin cell regeneration and repair. They also contain biotin, a B-vitamin crucial for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Greens: Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale and rocket provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that combat free radicals, which can damage skin cells and contribute to premature ageing. Don't forget to cook your spinach or kale.

Colorful veggies: Vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins, such as vitamin C, that promote collagen production and help protect the skin from damage.

Nuts and seeds: These nutrient-dense foods contain healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that support skin health. They also provide vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage and promotes healing.

Berries: Packed with antioxidants, berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries help neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from oxidative stress, which can lead to premature ageing.

Extra virgin olive oil: This oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, including vitamin E and polyphenols, which help protect the skin from environmental damage and inflammation. Using extra virgin olive oil in your diet can contribute to better skin health and a more youthful appearance.

Organic green tea: Green tea is abundant in polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds help to neutralise free radicals, protect the skin from UV damage, and promote overall skin health. Drinking organic green tea regularly can contribute to a more youthful, radiant complexion.

Organic coffee: Organic coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid and caffeine, which help combat free radicals and reduce inflammation. Caffeine also has a mild diuretic effect, which can contribute to a decrease in puffiness and improved skin appearance.

Consuming organic coffee can provide skin benefits and contribute to a healthier complexion. In addition, studies show that those who drink 3-5 cups of coffee a day have reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and they live longer!

Incorporating these natural whole foods into your diet not only promotes overall health but also specifically aids in maintaining and enhancing skin health. By providing essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these foods help to combat the signs of ageing, protect the skin from damage, and promote a more youthful, radiant complexion.

Physical exercise and Ageing

Regular exercise is not only good for your overall health, but it also benefits your skin. Exercise boosts blood circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. It also promotes the production of collagen and can help reduce stress, another factor that can accelerate skin ageing. In addition, stretching exercise such as yoga, has been shown to increases stem cells.

No wonder people who practice yoga tend to look much younger than they are! Other activities, such as fasting, or intermittent fasting can help to increase stem cells and autophagy ("self-eating"/recycling old tissues).

Increasing stem cells in the body slows down the ageing process due to their unique regenerative properties. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the ability to differentiate into specialized cells and self-renew, making them an essential component of the body's repair and regeneration system.

Here are some ways in which increasing stem cells may help slow down the ageing process:

Cellular regeneration: As we age, the rate of cell damage and death increases, leading to a decline in the overall health and function of tissues and organs. Stem cells play a crucial role in replacing damaged cells and promoting tissue repair. By increasing the number of stem cells, the body's capacity for cellular regeneration is enhanced, contributing to healthier tissues and slowing down the ageing process.

Reduced inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a significant factor in the ageing process and is linked to various age-related diseases. Stem cells possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially slowing down the ageing process.

Improved tissue homeostasis: Maintaining a balance between cell proliferation, differentiation, and death is crucial for healthy tissue function. Stem cells play a vital role in preserving tissue homeostasis by replacing lost or damaged cells.

 

Sleep quality

Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a youthful appearance. During sleep, your body repairs and regenerates skin cells. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Wear blue light blocking glasses in the evening before bed. And eat your dinner early, at least 3 hours before bed.

 

Preventing Wrinkles While you Sleep

Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles due to its unique properties and the benefits it provides for the skin. Here's how a silk pillowcase may contribute to the prevention of premature ageing:

Reduced friction: Silk has a smooth texture, which creates less friction between the pillowcase and your skin compared to traditional cotton pillowcases. Less friction means reduced tugging and pulling on the skin, which can help prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles over time, especially for side sleepers.

Retains moisture: Silk is less absorbent than other materials, such as cotton. This means that it is less likely to draw moisture away from your skin while you sleep. By preserving your skin's natural moisture, a silk pillowcase can help prevent dehydration and dryness, which can contribute to the formation of wrinkles.

Hypoallergenic: Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, mold, and other allergens. This can help reduce skin irritation and inflammation, which are factors that can accelerate the ageing process.

Temperature regulation: Silk has natural temperature-regulating properties, helping to keep your skin cool and comfortable throughout the night. By maintaining a comfortable temperature, silk pillowcases can help prevent night sweats, which can lead to dehydration and contribute to the formation of wrinkles.

You can purchase the highest quality 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase at Real Silk Website.

 

Stress management

Chronic stress can take a toll on your skin, causing it age more quickly. Incorporate stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, long walks, or deep breathing exercises, into your daily routine to help keep stress levels in check.

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on your skin. Both habits can accelerate the ageing process by causing dehydration, reducing collagen production, and damaging skin cells. To maintain youthful skin, avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.

 

Conclusion

Skin ageing is a natural process, but that doesn't mean we can't take steps to slow it down. By understanding the causes of skin ageing and adopting a holistic approach to skincare and overall health, we can keep our skin looking youthful and radiant for longer.