Aging Skin

Aging is Inevitable...

It happens to us all, every single day.

There is no way to stop it , but there are ways to age healthily and slow the rate at which we age, especially when it comes to our skin.

There are two main types of aging:

Intrinsic aging (Genetics) and Extrinsic aging (Lifestyle and Environment).

Did you Know?

Genetics only make up 10% of the aging process... Which means the other 90% is made up of lifestyle and environment. It sounds scary but you could take this as a positive, because this means we have quite a fair bit of control over how we age.

The Neverending Extrinsic List...

Extrinsic aging is made up of varying factors (also known as Free Radicals) such as smoking/ pollution/ lack of sleep/ stress/ alcohol/ diet/ UV exposure.

Free Radicals are unstable molecules that reap havoc on skin cells damaging them and depleating essential nutrients and vitamins - this is where Antioxidants come in... Antioxidants stabilise free radicals by donating electrons, preventing the chain reaction that can create more free radicals.

However, did you further know that 80% of the overall aging process is made up by UV exposure alone!

UV Exposure

There are three UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC...

UVA is known as the aging ray, it is natural light and has a long wavelength, meaning it can penetrate the skin right down to the Dermis (deeper layers of skin) as we are constantly exposed to natural light this makes UVA the primary ray for premature aging. If you are able to see without a torch or some sort of artificial light, then you are exposed to UVA.

This is the reason its so important to wear an SPF every single day in all kinds of weather. Wearing a good quality SPF can prevent UVA from entering your skin and protect your skin from its damaging effects that cause premature aging.

UVB is known as the burning ray and is usually prevailant during summer when you can feel the heat from the sun.

The wavelength of UVB is shorter than UVA and it primarily only penetrates the Epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) it's responsible for sunburn and is most directly linked to the developement of skin cancer, due to it causing cell DNA mutations that can eventually lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the developement of skin cancers, particularly melanoma.

This is why during warmer weather it is essential to wear and regularly reapply an SPF and to avoid intense sun exposure where possible.

UVC is known as the cancer ray, there is no known cosmetic that can protect from this type of ray, however the Ozone layer absorbs this ray before it reaches earth...

This shows just how important it is to take into consideration the effects of global warming and making sure we are doing everything we can to protect our planet.

Its not just UV...

When it comes to aging it's not just UV we have to take into consideration...

Blue Light has a major impact on skin aging and a majority of people now have constant access to devices that emit this light, but it doesnt just come from devices... the sun is considered the largest source of blue light exposure - with blue light making up around 30% of the suns rays - emitting significantly more than electronic devices.

Blue light is particularly damaging to the skin as it causes oxidative stress which damages skin cells and speeds up aging. It also breaks down collagen and causes cell shrinkage and death. The results can cause hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and premature aging.

To protect your skin from blue light, minerals such as Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide and Iron Oxide act as physical barriers on the skin that reflect and scatter blue light rays rather than absorbing them, these minerals can be found in certain high quality SPF products, such as Environs RAD SPF 15.

This again, is why its so important to wear a good quality SPF daily.

The Hidden Enemy

Most of us love a sweet treat from time to time, but weight gain is not the only thing we should be concerned about when divulging in sugary treats.

Premature aging and irreversable damage to collagen fibres is not usually the first thing you would associate with a sugary diet, but sugar has way more of an effect on the skin than we realise this is a process known as Glycation.

Glycation is the process in which sugar molecules stick to collagen fibres making them brittle and weak this can result in the collagen fibres snapping and when this happens the damage is irreversable and the skin is left with a cross hatch wrinkling affect that is a distinct sign of glycation.

The best way to avoid glycation is by avoiding consuming too many sugary foods and drinks, including natural sugars found in fruits.

Stress...one of the biggest killers of skin youth

We would be naive to think that skin was unaffected by stress, however the level of effect stress has on the skin is significant as skin is actually a stress receptor.

Keratinocyte cells found in the epidermis (outer layers of skin) produce and release the stress hormone cortisol, which at high levels can cause premature aging.

Cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin, which give the skin its structure and firmness. It can also increase oil production which can lead to blocked pores causing acne, it can also cause dryness and sensitivity due to inflammatory immune responses. Skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea can also be made worse.

Its extremely difficult to lead a stress free life and in some cases cortisol can be beneficial as it stimulates our fight or flight mode, however when we are exposed to high levels of stress over long periods of time it has a negative effect.

Taking vitamins and using good skin care is essential for fighting the negative effects that stress has on our skin, one product in particular has a unique superpower when it comes to cortisol levels Environs Serience night serum can lower cortisol released by keratinocytes by up to 70% in 2 hours, which significantly reduces the potential aging effect cortisol can have on the skin.

Relieving stress by aging your skin

One habit people tend to have when going through stress, is finding coping mechanisms to be able to deal with the levels of stress they are experiencing. Sometimes these coping mechanisms can be beneficial to skin health and sometimes they can be detrimental to skin health...

For example if your way of coping with stress is to indulge in a little self care such as visiting a spa or taking the time to do some meditation, yoga or exercise then more than likely, your body and skin are going to benefit in some way. Unfortunately the more realistic approach to dealing with stressful situations is to find a temporary solution that is easily accessible and a quick fix for instant satisfaction.

Often for some and unfortunately two of the most popular choices for stress relief are smoking and alcohol consumption.

How smoking relieves stress

It doesn't...

Smoking is a hard habit to break, and it destroys your skin health at a rapid pace.

Nicotene found in cigarettes creates a short term feeling of relaxation, however this is followed by withdrawal symptoms and increased levels of anxiety and depression, and can also make mental health conditions worse.

Just one puff of a cigarette is estimated to release 1015 free radicals into the body and over 5000 chemicals are released when a cigarette burns. The chemicals in cigarette smoke interfere with the bodies ability to absorb and utilise vitamin C, one of the key vitamins for optimal skin health.

This causes blood vessels to narrow, which reduces oxygen flow and destroys vitamin C, causing collagen and elastin to break down resulting in premature aging, lines and wrinkles and discolouration as well as a loss of elasticity and dark circles under the eyes.

Alcohol

Most of us will consume alcohol at some point in our lives and for some its a treat after a long day or as part of a celebration. Regardless of the reason, alcohol remains a toxin and usually a highly sugary one.

Excess sugar consumption can lead to glycation which as we know is a skin aging process by itself, however alcohol also releases a by product called acetaldehyde which is toxic to body tissues (surprisingly this product occurs naturally in coffee, bread and ripe fruit).

A build up of acetaldehyde can cause skin flushing and irritation to skin, this is one of the reasons people who tend to consume high levels of alcohol often suffer with facial flushing and sensitivity and in some cases even alcohol related Rosacea, the best way to avoid this is to limit alcohol consumption.

We're Only Making it Worse for Ourselves

When we think of what ages skin, often one factor that is forgotten about is Pollution.

It damages the planet of course and causes global warming and the depleation of whole species and civilisations, but heres one more to add to the list of destruction pollution is responsible for...

The health of skin is constantly affected by pollution and because we can't physically see it or feel it, often our skin is left unprotected against this microscopic monster.

The reason pollution is so damaging is because pollution particles are so tiny that they can reach the deeper layers of skin causing oxidative stress to skin cells, inflammation and premature aging.

This can lead to developing inflammatory skin conditions over time such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Increased Sensitivity, Acne, Dryness, the list goes on...

To protect against pollution, which is all around us constantly, and more so in some areas of the world, Environs Anti-Pollution Spritz is a skin sheild, this light weight spritz contains amazing ingredients that absorb pollution particles before they can enter skin, offering complete protection against the harmful effects of pollution.

This is just another reason that we should be mindful when it comes to our carbon footprint, pollution affects everything, and by reducing it we can also reduce one of skins increasing aging factors.

Aging is inevitable...how we age is 90% up to us.

Samantha Rice

Nails and Beauty by Sam