There’s an old adage that goes “never ask a woman her age.” Yet, even though knowing a person’s age may have no practical benefit, it’s still something that we think about. This obsession with age is one of the sources for the compliment “you don’t look your age”, but we have to ask: why is not looking your age a compliment?

People often estimate a person’s age based on the progression of their skin’s aging. However, the very idea that you could not look your age indicates that age and skin condition are two independent variables. We need to separate between the ideas of “chronological aging” and “skin aging”.

Chronological Aging Vs Skin Aging

Chronological aging is the process of growing old, which means having lived for a long time. This is generally regarded as a good thing and even revered by some cultures around the world. Growing old is an accomplishment of sorts; it means you’ve made it this far and likely learned a thing or two along the way. 

On the other hand, when people talk about skin aging, it means the decline of skin health. This, of course, is generally regarded as a negative. After all, loss of health is often associated with a loss of function. In fact, as skin ages, it becomes weaker and loses some of its functionality as a barrier between the internal organs and the external world.

The Leading Causes Of Skin Aging

Most aspects of skin aging can be pinned down to a few influencing factors: collagen loss, elastin loss, reduced hydration, and free radical damage. Collagen is a structural protein that helps skin keep its form and also supports hydration levels in the skin. Similarly, elastin is a protein that helps skin to be able to stretch and still return to its proper shape. Hydration keeps skin cells healthy and functioning their best because water is necessary for chemicals and waste to move in and out of the cells. Lastly, free radicals cause damage to the tissue structures and DNA, thereby impairing the functions of cells.

How To Prevent Skin Aging

Though the passage of time causes the body to produce less collagen and elastin, lose hydration, and succumb to the damaging effects of free radicals, there are ways to supplement your skin’s needs so that it can be healthier for longer. You cannot completely avoid the effects of aging (at least not yet), but you can slow them down. Scientifically-formulated creams can provide your skin with the collagen-building elements it needs to continue fighting off wrinkles. There are certain ingredients that boost the production of elastin, others that deeply hydrate the skin, and others that neutralize free radicals and help repair the damage they cause. 

At Agelyss, our creams and serums are formulated based on clinical research to ensure that we use the right ingredients to give your skin the support it needs. Our Retinol Cream contains 1% retinol to support skin renewal and the production of collagen and elastin (1). It also contains soluble marine collage for increasing collagen synthesis, hyaluronic acid for boosting hydration (2), and jojoba oil for fighting oxidative stress from free radicals (3).

The Takeaway

We invariably link health with age. Our health starts to decline with age and our outer appearance often reflects that. Sagging skin, drooping eyelids, and thinner lips all represent the breakdown of the skin’s structure. These features are a physical manifestation of a decline in health, but all hope is not lost. Proper maintenance can preserve skin health. This is why using facial products isn’t an exercise in vanity, as many may accuse it of being – it’s an exercise in skin care. The bottom line is that there is no such thing as “looking your age” but there is such a thing as looking healthy. Take care of your skin and be beautifully Agelyss!