Your skin consists of protein, minerals, lipids, water and chemicals. Skin, the largest organ in your body, can shows sign of aging for a number of reasons. While you cannot completely stop your skin from aging, some steps can slow it and protect your skin from damage that accelerates aging.
Causes
Skin loses elasticity and moisture as it ages. It also becomes thinner. As you age, your body produces less collagen, a protein your skin needs to prevent wrinkling. Keratin and elastin also decrease with age, causing skin to sag, as well as wrinkle. The dreaded wrinkles that signal age show up even on those who take good care of their skin.
Prevention
One of the most important steps in any anti-aging skin-treatment program is preventing further damage. Avoiding the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. helps reduce the chance of sun damage, according to the Mayo Clinic. Wear sunblock with UVA and UVB protection whenever you are in the sun. Eating a balanced, healthy diet and drinking plenty of water helps prevent skin aging. Reducing stress can also help your skin stay young.
Treatment
Cleaning your skin twice a day, as recommended by the Cleveland Clinic, should be part of your anti-aging routine. A cleanser formulated for your skin type will work best. After cleansing, use a toner to remove any residue. Apply moisturizer daily, even if your skin is oily. An oil-free selection works best for oily skin. Moisturizers should contain anti-aging ingredients.
Ingredients
Specific ingredients may help treat your aging skin. Retinol, a vitamin A compound, works to improve fine lines, wrinkles and hydration. It also improves skin texture, tone and color, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A moisturizer with copper peptides can stimulate the production of collagen, an important aspect of keeping your skin looking young. Other ingredients to look for include hydroxy acids, L-ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help your skin use collagen, reduce wrinkles and improve age spots while exfoliating and stimulating new skin growth.
Considerations
Some people may react to anti-aging ingredients, such as hydroxy acid. A patch test on your arm will help you identify if a product will work for you. A health-care provider can prescribe anti-aging wrinkle treatments, such as tretinoin. This prescription wrinkle cream consists of a potent vitamin A derivative.
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