Skin aging is a natural and inevitable process. As we age, the structure and function of our skin change, leading to skin aging. However, by understanding the causes and characteristics of skin aging, we can take steps to slow down and improve this process.
Causes of skin aging
The main causes of skin aging can be divided into the following four categories:
- Natural aging: Aging causes collagen and elastin to gradually break down and decrease, causing the skin to lose elasticity and become loose and wrinkled.
- Environmental factors: Long-term exposure to external environments such as sunlight and ultraviolet rays will accelerate skin aging; ultraviolet rays are one of the biggest culprits in causing premature skin aging.
- Lifestyle: Unhealthy habits such as smoking, staying up late, and high-sugar diets can place a heavy burden on skin health, inducing wrinkles, dryness, and dullness.
- Stress and emotions: Long-term stress or emotional fluctuations may also interfere with hormone secretion, weaken the skin barrier function, and make the skin more prone to signs of aging.
In summary, the causes of skin aging can be mainly divided into two categories: "internal factors" and "external factors." Internal factors are caused by genetic and hormonal changes and are an irreversible natural process; while external factors are related to lifestyle habits, environmental pollution, and ultraviolet radiation, and can be slowed down by adjusting lifestyle and strengthening skincare.
Comprehensive anti-aging! Deconstructing the characteristics of skin aging
After understanding the causes of skin aging, the following sections explain the causes of the most common signs of skin aging, including wrinkles, sagging, dullness, spots, roughness, dryness, and enlarged pores.
wrinkle
- Dry lines: Insufficient moisture in the epidermis leads to atrophy and depression of the stratum corneum. These wrinkles are common on the cheeks and around the mouth, and are temporary surface lines that can be effectively improved by strengthening moisturizing.
- Deep wrinkles: Loss of collagen and elastin in the dermis leads to a decrease in the skin's support. These wrinkles form from the dermis to the epidermis and are permanent, deep wrinkles.
relaxation
Dull
- Dullness caused by dead skin cell buildup: As we age, due to dryness, lack of sleep, or fatigue, skin metabolism is affected, leading to the accumulation of dead skin cells in the epidermis. This prevents the skin from reflecting light effectively, resulting in a dull, grayish tone. This dullness can be improved through timely exfoliation.
- Glycation-induced dullness (yellowish-brown): Excessive sugar intake combines with proteins and collagen in the body to form AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products). These yellowish-brown substances accumulate in the dermis, giving the skin a waxy yellow appearance. Controlling sugar intake is key to preventing this dullness.
- Dullness caused by melanin: Under the stimulation of ultraviolet rays, the skin accelerates the secretion of melanin, leading to dull skin tone or the appearance of dark spots. Prevention of this dullness should focus on effective sun protection measures and the use of skin care products that can inhibit melanin production.
spot
When the body is exposed to external environmental stimuli such as ultraviolet radiation and air pollution, free radicals in the body stimulate tyrosinase in melanocytes to synthesize melanin. Under normal circumstances, melanin naturally decreases as skin metabolism proceeds. However, when skin metabolism is abnormal or there is prolonged external environmental stimulation, the rate of melanin production exceeds the rate of metabolism, causing it to accumulate in epidermal cells and gradually surface on the skin, forming visible spots.
rough
Rough skin is usually caused by dehydration of the stratum corneum or metabolic problems. When keratinocytes are healthy and neatly arranged, the skin feels smooth and delicate. However, if the stratum corneum is disordered, or if dryness leads to a buildup of dead skin cells, the skin will become rough. The stratum corneum is like a sponge; it is soft when it absorbs water, but once it dries out, its softness decreases, and metabolic problems also occur, leading to rough skin.
dry
The stratum corneum of normal skin should have a moisture content between 20% and 35%. When the moisture content drops below 10%, the skin becomes dry. This is because the stratum corneum's moisturizing system—the natural lipids and natural moisturizing factors that retain moisture—is malfunctioning, preventing the effective retention of moisture and leading to water loss. Once the function of keratinocytes is impaired, it can cause problems such as roughness, acne, pimples, fine lines, flaking skin, dryness, and itching—all early signs of skin aging.
Large pores
Oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum secretion and a lack of timely exfoliation, leading to clogged and enlarged pores. This condition is often accompanied by acne and blackheads. Another cause is skin laxity, which causes pores to deform under the influence of gravity.
How to slow down skin aging? Improving skin aging must start with daily skincare.
As time goes by, skin aging is a natural process. While we cannot completely avoid skin aging, we can improve the condition of our skin and effectively slow down the aging process through proper daily care and lifestyle adjustments. Although aging is an irreversible process, proactive prevention and maintenance measures can delay the outward signs of skin aging.
Sunscreen
To effectively combat aging, external skin protection is an essential step. Avoid excessive sun exposure, as ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause serious damage. Using sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, and using umbrellas and hats are all effective ways to avoid direct UV exposure. Importantly, remember to reapply sunscreen regularly to ensure continuous skin protection. Taking comprehensive sun protection measures is a crucial step towards anti-aging.
Healthy and balanced diet
A balanced diet is crucial for combating aging. Avoid excessive consumption of spicy or sugary foods, and prepare food using healthier cooking methods such as steaming or boiling. Furthermore, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, while reducing the intake of sugary and oily foods, is key to maintaining health, slowing down the aging process, and even improving skin aging.
Sufficient sleep
Prolonged late nights or excessive phone use not only cause dull, sagging skin and premature aging, but also hinder collagen production, accelerating the aging process. To effectively combat these signs of aging, the primary strategy is to ensure sufficient sleep. It is recommended to maintain 7 to 9 hours of good sleep each night, as this helps skin recovery and regeneration, and is a crucial part of improving skin aging.
Daily maintenance
Daily skincare is also crucial for preventing aging. First, it's essential to strengthen the stability of collagen in the dermis to maintain skin elasticity and firmness. Second, it's vital to ensure the stratum corneum has sufficient moisture to allow for normal cell metabolism, thereby maintaining a healthy skin barrier function. Building on this foundation, choosing a highly effective anti-aging or repairing serum, combined with appropriate facial massage, can provide comprehensive care for the skin and effectively combat signs of aging.
Made in Japan, 100% pure NMN anti-aging formula
In addition to the methods mentioned above, we can slow down the aging process of the skin and maintain its health and vitality to some extent. Now there are newer methods to delay skin aging. NeoYouth's NMN Anti-Aging Formula is a nutritional supplement designed specifically to delay aging, improve skin beauty, and promote bodily functions. NeoYouth's formula contains 100% pure NMN, which not only helps fight aging but also beautifies the skin and comprehensively improves bodily functions. This formula can activate longevity proteins, eliminate free radicals, and reduce the body's oxidative stress. Long-term use can keep the skin rosy, radiant, elastic, and reduce fine lines.
It's worth noting that excessive sun exposure reduces NAD+ in the skin, accelerating the aging process and leading to dull skin and uneven pigmentation. NMN supplements contain 50 mg of coenzyme Q10, which can protect skin cells from UV damage, inhibit melanin production, promote collagen production, improve skin elasticity, repair damaged cells, and reduce UV damage, thereby alleviating skin aging.
Skin aging is caused by a variety of factors, and methods to slow it down can be approached from both internal and external angles. The addition of NMN nutritional supplements can effectively improve skin aging and slow its progression.
