Aging is often regarded as a bad thing – especially where your looks are concerned. But we’re not down with that. All those years of once-in-a-lifetime experiences… road traveled… memories created… they’re extremely valuable. So, why should we live in a world filled with negative, anti-aging thoughts when aging is such a privilege? It makes no sense.
Skin aging happens to everyone. It’s determined by several things – some of which you can control, and others that are totally out of your hands. But we’re not here to discuss the causes of aging skin today but to pinpoint the most common effects: wrinkles, dark spots, and slack skin. Here’s what you need to know…
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Lines and wrinkles are the biggest skin concern for men and women. They often creep up without you realizing it, starting as shallow expression lines which grow deeper and more etched in as years of repeated muscle movement weaken the skin.
This is all thanks to your skin’s ever-decreasing lack of collagen and sebum as you age. Sebum is the oil that keeps your skin moisturized and supple, while collagen is an essential protein that gives your skin structure and strength. As you hit your 30s, collagen production starts to decrease at a rate of about 1 percent each year. Ouch.
What To Do: First up, embrace your wrinkles because they give your face life and expression. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Secondly, limit your exposure to environmental stressors like pollution, UV radiation, and a diet that’s heavy in salt, sugar, and highly processed carbs. These all accelerate the formation of free radicals in your skin which speeds up collagen degradation and is hell on your skin.
Another great way to laugh in the face of free radicals? Introduce an antioxidant-rich facial serum into your daily routine. Our Whole Repair Serum contains vitamins C and E, plus a bunch of collagen-boosting botanical oils.
Dark Spots
Otherwise known as hyperpigmentation, dark spots appear on your face when melanin production gets disrupted, giving your skin a patchy, uneven look.
The most obvious cause for wayward melanin is the sun, but hormones are also offenders (especially around certain times like pregnancy, menopause, or while taking the contraceptive pill). Finally, certain traumas or injuries to your skin like bug bites, burns, and acne can cause dark spots to appear as you age.
What To Do: Whatever the reason for your hyperpigmentation, the sun will make every dark spot worse, so protect your skin daily with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Also, make vitamin C your BFF. Not only is vitamin C one of the most proven and trusted antioxidants in skincare, but it has also been shown to help brighten the skin and fade the appearance of dark spots by interrupting melanin production. It’s very clever stuff. Try Essential Proteins + Vitamin C Spray.
Slack Skin
As you age your sebaceous glands produce less oil and your skin loses a lot of its fat content which makes it drier and thinner. Your bones also become weaker and less dense which, coupled with the inevitable loss of collagen and elastin, can cause your skin to become noticeably looser.
Sagging skin can occur all over the body, especially if you go through rapid weight loss, but it’s most often seen on your face, around areas like your cheeks and jawline – hello jowls!
What To Do: Of course, there’s everything to be said for an awesome skin routine so, to help keep sagging (and all signs of aging) to a minimum, make sure you moisturize twice daily and boost your collagen supplies with plenty of antioxidants, retinol, and peptides.
Many experts also believe that massage is an effective way to reduce slack skin around the chin and throat. When cleansing with Nutrient Seaweed Wash, use your hands to lift your skin, and work your thumbs and knuckles gently along your jawline. This helps stimulate blood flow and works the facial muscles. It won’t perform miracles, but do this every time you cleanse and it will certainly help refine a ‘loose’ jawline.
