Much research has been done on internal skin ageing. Many underlying causes have been hypothesised including cell damage and hormonal changes. What we know for sure is internal ageing is inevitable and is largely genetically determined.
External causes include:
- Nutrition
- UV radiation
- Smoking
- Pollutants
- Poor air quality
- Alcohol intake
- Poor sleep
- Stress
- Other lifestyle habits.
These are all things we have the power to change and control. To protect your skin, it’s important to take preventative steps.
Protecting the skin from UV radiation by wearing SPF every day is imperative. Did you know that Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight cause up to 80% of the visible signs of ageing we experience? UVA (those that age the skin) and UVB (those that burn the skin) can penetrate deep into the skin, causing DNA damage and creating harmful free radicals which degrade collagen. The result is cells that are no longer able to regenerate and protect themselves. This leads to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone and texture and sagging skin.
Healthier lifestyle choices, such as not smoking, having a good skincare routine, and eating a varied balanced diet will also contribute to the health and maintenance of beautiful skin.
Products
We cannot recommend enough the Physical Sunscreen from Medik8.
Physical Sunscreen is a high-performance SPF 30 sunscreen that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Unlike chemical sunscreens that work by absorbing UV energy and converting it into heat within the skin, Physical Sunscreen works by reflecting the sun’s radiation away from the skin, much like a mirror.
Fast-absorbing and rich in natural antioxidants, it is light enough for everyday use and strong enough to defend against all signs of photoageing. The advanced formula glides over skin without leaving a chalky residue yet is 100% free-from nanoparticles.