It is important to take care of your skin, regardless of its current state. Whether it be to stop signs of aging or get rid of what has already appeared, learn the underlying reasons for aging skin so you can better achieve the results you desire.

Intrinsic Aging vs. Extrinsic Aging

Intrinsic aging refers to the natural aging process and starts relatively early, in our mid-20s. Not as many collagen and elastin proteins are made and as these proteins age, they lose their ability to keep the skin springing back and plump. Fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging appear when these proteins decrease in number and their functioning ability. Furthermore, the rate at which dead skin cells are shed slows, as well as the speed of new skin cell production. When skin heals, it takes longer and has more tell-tale signs of damage.

Extrinsic aging is premature aging of the skin that is caused by outside forces. Unlike intrinsic aging, extrinsic aging is something we can lessen and prevent.

Causal Factors to Premature Aging

The factor that contributes most in prematurely aging the skin is sun exposure. This 'photoaging' causes wrinkles; age spots; actinic keratoses; skin cancer; and/ or the formation of dry, loose, or leathery skin. As the body loses its ability to repair itself, photoaging becomes more prominent. Furthermore, studies show that UV exposure directly damages and impairs the production of new collagen and elastin proteins.

Repeated facial expressions will also become etched permanently in your face as fine lines and wrinkles. Without the skin elasticity of our youth, skin stops spring back to its line-free state. Sleeping on your stomach or side can also lead to permanent pillow imprints or wrinkles on your face. Additionally, stress causes repeated frowning and worry lines.

Smoking accelerates aging. Smoke depletes vitamin C (a vitamin that is involved in keeping skin plump and hydrated) in the skin. Extensive smoking has also been found to turn the skin a yellowish hue.

Diet plays an important role, according to new research, on the appearance of wrinkles. Studies actually find a direct relationship of diets high in sugar with dull and wrinkled skin. A process called glycation is the cause. This is a natural process where blood sugar attaches to proteins, turning them into harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. With more sugar in the diet, more AGEs are made that are available to damage surrounding proteins. Unfortunately, collagen and elastin are the proteins most vulnerable to damage and become dry and brittle. High sugar diets also direct which type of collagen is found in highest quantities. Glycation causes type III collagen (the longest lasting and most stable collagen) to turn into type I (the most fragile of the three types of collagen).

Anti-Aging Skin Care

If you already see the signs of aging, there are a variety of skin rejuvenation or anti aging solutions available. These aging skin care options differ in safety, invasiveness and price. Unfortunately, there is no simple recommendation for each person. We all have skin with distinct responsiveness and sensitivity to different ingredients.

Now that you know the causes of extrinsic aging, look for skin care products that: speed up the shedding of dead skin cells, stimulate new cell production, neutralize harmful free radicals and heal and cause growth of collagen and elastin proteins and other skin structures. A number of botanical ingredients actually stimulate the skin cell reparation and renewal processes without harsh side effects of unnatural chemicals. Avoid products with unnatural preservatives, dyes and perfumes that will not only dry the skin but further aggravate other skin conditions.