"There are a number of factors that determine how quickly the skin ages, ranging from genetics, ethnicity, skin type, and environmental influences such as sun exposure, stress and pollution." However, there are steps that individuals can take, whether they're 20 or 50, to keep their skin looking healthy and not a day past their age."
The skin is our body’s largest organ and comprises three major layers:
* The Epidermis: This layer has five sub-layers; the outer layer consists of mainly dead cells, which are continuously shed and replaced by cells beneath. The epidermis is also responsible for ‘water proofing’ your skin, protecting your skin from potential invasion of microbes and generate new skin cells which move from the deep layer of the epidermis to the outer layer, where they are eventually shed.
* The Dermis: Is the ‘middle layer of the skin and is composed of connective tissue containing collagen and elastin. The dermis is thick in the palms and soles and very thin in the eyelids. It contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.
* The Subcutaneous layer: This layer consists of areolar and adipose tissue. Fibres from the dermis extend down into the subcutaneous layer and anchor the skin to it. The subcutaneous layer, in turn, attaches to underlying tissues and organs.
Aging of the skin
There are several factors influencing how quickly our skin will age, ranging from genetic factors, your natural skin type, as well as external factors such as exposure to sunlight, environmental factors and whether you smoke or not. In general, pale skins wrinkle faster than darker skins, which are protected by increased amounts of pigment and lipids
Below is a skin care plan of how to look after your skin as the decades go by and how to adapt your skin care regime accordingly.
Looking after your skin in your 20s
Your 20s is a great time for your skin. You've left behind the adolescence acne (hopefully) and your skin has a healthy, radiant, youthful glow and the epidermis is firm and well toned.
However, this is not the time to be complacent. In your 20s skin cell renewal drops by up to 28 per cent, dead skin cells are not as easily shed and external factors are starting to have a greater impact, leaving your skin slightly duller. For these reasons, it's a good idea to use a moisturizer and form of an exfoliate regularly to remove the old cells and stimulate the re-growth of new ones.
According to dermatologists, 80 per cent of all aging can be directly related to exposure to sunlight. Penetrating UVA rays will start to damage collagen fibers and elastin coils in your skin. Make sure you use a good quality, natural moisturizer before and after you've been out in the sun. This will keep up nutrients levels in your skin and protect it to some degree from loss of moisture.
Smoking inhibits oxygen getting to the outer layer of your skin and has a premature aging effect. In addition, smoking can cause fine lines around the mouth over the years and this is to be avoided – if you want to keep your good looks.
Looking after your skin in your 30's
By the time you get to your 30s skin cell turnover has slowed even more. Environmental damage from pollution, smoke and sunlight are starting to take their toll on the dermis, causing collagen fibers to loosen so that skin starts to loose its tone and develop fine lines and wrinkles. When you smile, subcutaneous fat forms ridges and refuse to bounce back as readily as it once did. Your first wrinkles may start to appear.
By now you should have established a daily skincare regime that involves cleansing, exfoliation, and treatment for under eyes, toning, and moisture treatments.
In your 30s, it's important to maintain a balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fish, which are high in antioxidants such as Vitamins A, B, C and E. These Vitamins counteract free radicals in your body that help the skin to repair itself, produce the enzymes that stabilize collagen production, and stay moist and healthy. For further protection, try using a natural moisture serum, such as one that contains lipids and enzymes. Kasia BYnight moisture serum strengthens the skins protective barrier and stimulates cell renewal metabolism.
Maintaining well-hydrated tissues by drinking plenty of water each and every is vital to retain moisture in your skin. When ever possible, use filtered water to avoid the intake of chlorine and other chemical impurities.
In addition, you should ensure that you get enough quality sleep. Eight hours is considered 'enough'. Research has shown that sleeping less than eight hours per night actually reduces your IQ. Sleep is also the time when the body undertakes its own repairs, so give it what it needs and you will feel the better for it.
Looking after your skin in your 40s
In your 40s, collagen fibers decrease in number, stiffen, break apart, and form into a shapeless, matted tangle. Elastic fibers lose some of their elasticity, thicken into clumps, and fray.
The result is the skin forms crevices and furrows known as lines and wrinkles. In addition, loss of fat in the subcutaneous layer leaves your skin more fragile, whereas the dermis will continue to lose its elasticity.
During your 40s the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the epidermis) starts to grow even thicker, as dead skin cells hang around for longer. If you are not already using an exfoliate regularly, now is a good time to get into the habit of exfoliating your skin regularly. SoPure Clarifying Mask combines larch extract that helps to reduce pigmentation and discoloration and jojoba beads used to replenish and moisturize. Recommended 2-3 times a week!
As deeper wrinkles start to form, you may wish to use a complete skin care system, which systematically helps you to nourish and moisturize your skin on all levels.
Looking after your skin in your 50s and above
As we reach our 50s and beyond, the hair and nails grow more slowly. Langerhans cells (involved in the immune response, dwindle in number, thus decreasing the immune responsiveness of older skin. Decreased size of sebaceous (oil) glands leads to dry and broken skin that is more susceptible to infection.
In women, after the menopause, decreased estrogen levels mean that skin lose its plumpness and tone, and it may be left dry, itchy and more sensitive to allergens.
Mature skin is more fragile, prone to injury and infection and bruises easily. Kasia OnCure Eye Cream helps better suite the wisdom in your eyes in preventing puffiness, and reinforcing firmness and tone. Remember, a face that has a lived in look is much more attractive than a Botox face and character is much more beauty.