Skin Aging: Everything You Need to Know About WRINKLES!
Lax, loose, sagging skin – all are symptoms of wrinkles.
Learn exactly what is a wrinkle, what causes wrinkles, and what can you do to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
What is a Wrinkle?
The formation of wrinkles is related to your skin’s collagen and elastin, two proteins found in your skin.
Collagen provides strength to the skin structure and elastin provides the snap or resiliency, allowing the skin to move about and conformation as required.
When the elastin fibers undergo changes that cause them to lose their resiliency or snap, the skin no longer is able to return to its original state.
As a result sagging and crinkling occur in a pattern that is wrinkles.
What Causes Wrinkles?
The following are the main contributing factors to wrinkles.
The Sun
The sun tops the list for causing skin damage.
Overtime, the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) damages the elastin figures, causing them to break down.
Just one really good sunburn is all that’s needed to produce the wrinkles seen on sun lovers, though it will take 15-20 years to show themselves.
Smoking
We know smoking is bad for your health, but a life-long smoking habit will also wreak serious damage on your skin and contribute to aging.
Not only does smoking contribute to wrinkles around the eye and mouth area, but smoking also does the following:
- Generates free radicals and nitrosamine (carcinogen chemical compounds)
- Decreases the amount of blood flow to the skin
- Creates a sallow complexion
- Weakens blood vessels and immune system
Pollution
Many people think that UV light is the cause of free radical damage in skin, but pollution can generate tremendous amount free radical damage as well.
Pollution generates oxidative stress in skin, which forms free radical damage. Free radicals chip away at cell walls and DNA.
Eventually, the skin cell function is significantly impaired and eventually dies.
These multiple breaks also causes elastin and collagen to break down, making the skin sag, lose its vitality and youthful, elastic quality.
How Can You Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles?
The following skin care ingredients are ideal for helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Peptides
With age collagen decreases, elasticity is compromised and the skin becomes thin, less firm, allowing wrinkles to develop.
For many decades the approach to wrinkles was moisturization. The belief was that by plumping up the dehydrated surface, superficial lines would decrease.
While this was true, actual firming of the structural underpinnings has only been answered by the introductions of retinoids. Unfortunately with retinoids undesirable side effects, such as irritation, have been seen.
Today the technology of peptides helps initiate immediate firming effects in the appearance of skin.
Find them in our Vita Cura Collection for mature skin and Triple Action Peptide Mask and Triple Action Peptide Serum for hydrating, firming and brightening.
Seaweed
“Antioxidants provide protection against pro-oxidative environment to which human skin is exposed, in particular, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, smoke, and air pollutants… Among marine resources, seaweeds represent one of the richest sources of natural antioxidants.” [1]
Seaweed is also rich in 12 vitamins, 42 trace elements and minerals, 18 amino acids, and contains Alginic Acid, a polysaccharide know maintain water in skin cells, therefore helping to lock moisture into the skin.
There are even different types of seaweed that help directly with skin aging, such as Ulva lactuca.
This type of seaweed is a source of Marine Elastin Protein that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increases vitality and brightness of skin complexion.
Niacinamide/Vitamin B3
This proven ingredient works to restore the skin’s appearance and visibly refine the surface of the skin without chemical procedures. Vitamin B3 is also known to have the following skin care benefits:
- Helps improve the overall appearance of skin.
- Improves skin texture.
- Evens appearance of skin complexion.
- Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Reduces the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.
- Appearance of firmness and elasticity is improved 2, 3
Find this ingredient in our clinically-proven, dermatologist tested and plastic surgeon recommended Vita Cura Gold Collection for smoother, younger-looking skin.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide acts as a natural physical sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays.
It is a micronized mineral that forms a physical barrier on the skin, shielding skin from damaging environmental aggressors, while also soothing skin and absorbing excess oils.
Skin protection is one of the key factors to preventing wrinkles.
Have any questions about skin aging? Leave them in the comments below!
Sources:
1. Se-Kwan Kim, Ph.D. Marine Cosmeceuticals, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, April, 2013
2. Bissett DL, Oblong JE, Berge CA. "Niacinamide: A B Vitamin That Improves Aging Facial Skin Appearance." Dermatologic Surgery, July 31, 2005, 860-65.
3. Bissett DL, Miyamoto K, Sun P, Li J, Berge CA. “Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin”. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2004 , 231–8.
