Skin ageing is a natural process we cannot avoid, but do you feel your skin is ageing faster than it should be? Premature skin ageing occurs when your skin is ageing more quickly than it should.
Genetics play a role in determining how quickly we age, but lifestyle is the main factor contributing to premature skin ageing. Genetics only account for about 30% of the visible signs of ageing on the skin, while the remaining 70% is attributed to lifestyle.
So, even if your mother is ageing gracefully, it doesn’t guarantee you will. You might age similarly if you have the same lifestyle as your mother but don’t forget that you also have genetic influences from your father.
The Sun
The sun is a major cause of premature ageing skin. When sunlight touches our skin, it produces heat, which leads to inflammation. Since our skin cannot differentiate between the cause of the inflammation, it behaves as if the skin has been injured. White blood cells are sent to the top layers of the skin, but they need to pass through connective tissues, which are made up of collagen and elastin. In response, the skin produces enzymes called Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) to break down collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, creating a path for the white blood cells to reach the site of inflammation.
Collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are responsible for keeping the skin firm and plump, so their breakdown by the MMPs leads to skin ageing. Additionally, as part of the inflammatory response, melanin is produced by the skin to reduce inflammation, which can result in pigmentation and sun spots.
This happens every time your skin is exposed to sunlight. Then, sunscreen should be applied religiously whenever the sun is out.
Blue light
Part of the UV light emitted by the sun is blue light, which can be very damaging to the skin. Our cell phones, laptops, light bulbs, and TVs also emit blue light. Although the blue light from our devices is not as strong as that from the sun, our devices are much closer to our faces and we spend longer periods using them.
Statistics show that millennials check their phones 157 times each day, compared to older adults who check theirs 30 times a day. Even though the blue light from our devices is not as strong as that from the sun, I still recommend wearing sunscreen daily to protect your skin against UV light.
Pollution
Living in a city with heavy pollution can cause premature skin ageing due to exposure to car exhaust fumes and factory emissions. Urban areas with high traffic often have air containing Particulate Matter (PM), which cannot be seen by the naked eye and can enter your pores and cause skin irritation and inflammation, leading to accelerated ageing, sun spots, and exacerbate conditions like eczema and rosacea.
Chronic inflammation from air pollution can also lead to skin dehydration. To protect your skin, include ingredients like Niacinamide and antioxidants in your skincare routine, ensure your skin's protective barrier functions properly and double cleanse at night to remove pollution, makeup, and sweat thoroughly.
Dermalogica provides a widget that measures the level of air pollution in your area. Click here and enter your address to check your daily pollution exposure.
Nutrition
I always say that our skin is a direct reflection of how healthy our bodies are. A diet high in sugar or refined carbs can cause premature ageing.
Sugar molecules bind with collagen, causing cross-linking in the collagen fibres, known as glycation. This cross-linking makes the collagen stiff and abnormal, resulting in the collagen's inability to keep the skin supple.
Adding peptides to your skincare routine can help repair collagen fibres and promote new, healthy collagen. Antioxidants will also help fight oxidative stress.
Sugar and refined carbs can cause inflammation in the body, accelerating skin ageing and the development of age spots.
A healthy, balanced diet low in refined carbohydrates will help prevent premature ageing.
Stress
Cortisol is released in response to stress and causes inflammation in the body. Most of us experience chronic stress, leading to chronic inflammation. Inflammation speeds up the ageing process and leads to pigmentation issues. As a skincare therapist, I have observed premature ageing in individuals as young as 25.
Due to pollution, excessive device use, and chronic stress in our modern world, it is advisable to begin using anti-ageing products from the age of 25. Your lifestyle and habits have a larger impact on the ageing process than your genes. It's worth noting that we age faster than our great-grandparents.