Understanding the Biology of Aging
What to Include in Your Anti-Aging Arsenal
When one is in the early to mid-20s, there are usually very minimal skin conditions to worry about. The average 20-year-old’s skin is supple, elastic and has a dewy appearance. The most distressing problem at this stage may be acne. It is only when one pushes towards the mid-20s and beyond that cellular turnover begins to decelerate, and the first lines, although unnoticeable for most, begin to appear, particularly around the eyes.
Many 20-year-olds whose activities entail prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays but who fail to cover up with skin protection may actually look older than their years and require anti-aging treatment/anti-wrinkle treatments like tretinoin. Adequate skin protection and preventive measures for dry, unhealthy skin must begin in one’s 20s. Skin-friendly habits like not smoking and eating healthy food like berries, salmon and flaxseed can do wonders for the skin way until the next stage.
When people reach their 30s, greater effort must usually be expended to maintain a fresh, vibrant look. The biology of aging points to the 30s as that stage when skin tends to become drier, and more fine lines and discoloration start surfacing on the skin. Hydrating the skin becomes more crucial than ever, Antioxidants are a must when one is in the 30s age bracket. Harsh skin care products must be replaced with something gentler yet effective. What most women add to their beauty arsenal are quality natural skin care products formulated with botanical ingredients.
A decade ago, one of the best skin care products I learned to value was a quality brand of deep-moisturizing shea butter body lotion. Shea butter pampers skin by leaving it nourished through antioxidant properties. It can be very helpful in helping skin renew itself especially with frequent exposure to environmental elements. One also cannot overlook the skin-soothing properties of aloe vera. One all-natural products store I regularly visit offers skin care products with seaweed, which is said to be capable of delivering vitamins and minerals to the skin. A seaweed treatment can provide good skin protection. It nourishes and facilitates the body’s natural detoxification process. Some women are also given to purchasing pure plant oils. Lavender essential oil has skin-healing properties and can possibly address a range of skin conditions ranging from acne to psoriasis. Proper consultation with one’s doctor or dermatologist remains vital, though.
When people reach their 40s, skin is bound to lose its suppleness and folds around the mouth and cheeks appear. Skin is not anymore as elastic as when one was pushing into the mid-20s. Most dermatologists, at this stage, recommend topical treatments containing vitamin A derivative, some natural supplements designed to build collagen and keratin (major building blocks of the skin & hair that decrease as people age) to counteract the accumulated damage created by overexposure to the sun, poor nutrition and lifestyle habits, and aging, laser treatments to banish facial spots, and other prescriptions.
Some women undertake their own product search to effectively address their specific skin conditions. There are innovations from leading global cosmetic brands, for instance, that have developed potent skin protection and anti-aging technologies unheard of before. One well-known French skin care company trumpets a feature-packed botanical skin care product that not only promises to reinforce pigmentation control but also provides anti-aging action for a sum equivalent to a new pair of designer shoes. If you ask me, the best thing to add to one’s beauty arsenal is a positive mindset or happy disposition. Nothing quite like inner beauty reflecting on the outside.
