CAUSES OF AGEING SKIN

As the signs of ageing starts to become apparent on the surface of the skin, fine lines start to show, and then over time wrinkles develop. Loss of volume and density become more noticeable.

Our skin ages due to lots of different factors both internally and externally and unfortunately nothing can prevent it from happening. There are however several things that can slow the ageing process down and these can be influenced by certain health and lifestyle choices. Understanding these choices can help to care for your skin and help reduce the signs of premature ageing.

UV RAYS

Ultraviolet exposure has more power to age the skin than anything else. To protect the skin from premature ageing is to wear a sunscreen on a daily basis. Over exposure to UV rays has negative effects on the skin and makes it become dehydrated (which causes sunburn).

Make sure you protect your skin from the suns rays every day. Even during the winter months UV rays can penetrate straight through the clouds so get protecting.

ALCOHOL

Most people enjoy an alcoholic beverage either after a stressful day at work or when socialising with friends however it is one of the biggest factors contributing to dehydration of the skin. Different beverages are more serious than others and this is not to say you should give up alcohol completely however moderation is essential. Alcohol is very dehydrating not just to the body but also to the skin and deprives it of essential vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a fresh, healthy glow.

Tip: Drink glasses of water between drinking periods which your skin will thank you for for and in turn will help reduce a nasty hangover!

SMOKING

The nicotine in cigarettes causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of the skin which impairs blood flow. With less blood flow, the skin doesn't get as much oxygen and important nutrients such as Vitamin A. There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke which also damage collagen and elastin, which are fibres that gives skin it’s strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely due to smoking. Now is a good time to quit the cigs!!

POOR DIET

When it comes to our looks, we really are what we eat! Our skin’s health relies on us getting the correct level of nutrients from what we eat, having a good digestion system, a healthy gut to absorb the goodness and an efficient, regular ‘waste disposal’ to rid our bodies of toxins. Our skin is directly connected with our entire digestive system and mirrors its health levels. If your insides are not healthy, you can’t expect your skin to be a glowing! Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and a healthy well balanced diet.

LACK OF SLEEP

We have all heard of the term 'Beauty sleep' but so many of us go to bed over tired which prevents us from settling into our natural bodies sleep pattern. The result? We end up having little sleep throughout the night which makes us feel tired and groggy the next morning!

Night time is when the body gets the chance to repair itself. This also includes our skin which regenerates fresh new skin cells to replace the worn our ones. When we don’t get enough sleep our cells struggle to perform the nightly maintenance work and as a result we end up looking wrinkled, saggy and generally not good! Those dark puffy circles set in too! This is due to blood vessels which expand causing blood pooling under the eye area that look dark and generally unhealthy.

So make sure you get better 7 to 9 hours sleep a night so your body can repair itself and recover which in exchange will give you a fresh, more healthier complexion and energy.

STRESS

It’s a fact that stress causes fine lines and wrinkles. When we are happy, relaxed and healthy, our skin invariably is too. When we are anxious or under pressure, our two adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney, release the ‘fight or flight’ hormones ‘adrenaline and cortisol’. When our blood sugar rises, our bodies produce insulin (the hormone that processes sugars). This in turn triggers inflammatory chemicals in the cells which are linked directly to spots, acne and many other skin problems. It is also known that cortisol blocks collagen production. Left unchecked, high levels of cortisol can also affect the immune cells in the epidermis, disrupting the skin barrier and weakening the skin’s natural defence against UV light, pollutants and chemicals.

NO PROPER SKINCARE ROUTINE

By not taking good care of your skin on a daily basis can cause the skin to age much more quickly. Its doesn't need to be complicated, just a simple daily routine which includes cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising is better than nothing. Using the right types of products for your skin type with beneficial ingredients will help result in a healthy glowing complexion.

USING THE WRONG SKINCARE PRODUCTS

The products you use could be damaging the health of your skin which can lead to the signs of ageing. Using products containing dehydrating alcohols, synthetic formulations and artificial fragrances have no nutritional value to the skin and strip away the skins natural protecting oils. By using natural skincare products made with nourishing nut butters and nutrient-rich plant oils your skin will very soon start to notice the benefits.