The key to growing old gracefully is through good living and awareness of your environment. While many of the changes that come with aging skin can’t be avoided, some can definitely be minimized. First, it helps to have a basic understanding what happens to the skin as it goes through the aging process.

Intrinsic Aging

The skin ages in two key ways: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging is genetically predetermined - you can’t avoid it. Eventually, skin gets thinner, dryer and less elastic. This happens because we produce less collagen over time. This drop in collagen production also causes skin to sag and unable to bounce back with weight loss or gain.

The reason skin gets dryer and thinner over time is because dermis (deep layers of the skin) loses its ability to hold or attract water. On top of this, age causes a marked decrease in the sweat glands and the sebaceous glands (oil producing). Oils, water and sweat are the elements of moist, plump skin.

Although the extent of these changes varies from person to person, skin aging usually first becomes apparent in your 30s.

Extrinsic Aging

Extrinsic aging is directly related to exposure to toxins and environmental elements. As you might have guessed, the sun is one of the biggest culprits behind extrinsic aging. It basically intensifies the intrinsic aging process, causing you to look older that your true age. Sun-related aging, called "photo aging" causes fine lines, wrinkles, age spots (due to pigment changes), enlarged pores, broken capillaries and rough, uneven skin tone and texture.

Your lifestyle is another factor in extrinsic aging.    For example, cigarette smoking not only speeds up the breakdown of collagen and elastin, it causes the formation of skin-killing free radicals. Further, it makes it harder for the skin to repair itself. Poor eating habits will also catch up with you - a colorful, well-balanced diet is rich in the antioxidants and anti-inflammatories vital for a healthy complexion.

Prevention is Your Best Weapon

It’s extremely important to take care of your skin before the extrinsic and intrinsic processes begin. However, you can atone for your skin’s past sins by pledging hyper vigilance from now on. Above all, protection against both UVA and UVB rays is crucial. Wear broad-spectrum sun protection of at least SPF every day - even when it’s cloudy or rainy.

After age 25, consider investing in an anti-aging product that suits your skin type. These topicals are clinically- proven to rejuvenate the skin and reverse certain signs of photo aging:

·    Alpha-hydroxy-Acids

·    Tretinoin (Vitamin A derivative)

·    Retinoids

·    Vitamin C

While aging is inevitable, looking old before your time is preventable. To keep your skin looking beautiful, live a healthy, clean life and make wearing sunscreen a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.

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