What causes signs of
ageing in skin and how can they be managed?
First signs of ageing in skin – what are they and how can you manage them?
Skin ageing is inevitable over time, but the extent of the signs of skin aging depends on both biological and environmental factors — some of which you can control and some that you can’t1. Read on to learn more about signs of aging on face and body, what causes them, how to manage them with smart skin care for aging skin, and how to help prevent signs of premature ageing in the skin.
Skin ageing is the natural process that the skin undergoes as it ages, gradually losing elasticity and firmness. Common signs of skin aging include wrinkles, dark spots, and crepey skin. Other signs include thinner skin, and an increased tendency to bruise1. When you understand skin and aging together, it becomes easier to see where you can support your skin and how to slow down aging with everyday habits.
Skin ageing affects the entire body, especially areas where the skin is exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, shoulders, and arms2. Due to elasticity loss and repeated creases in the skin, early signs of skin aging like wrinkles commonly start showing on the face at the corners of the eyes as crow’s feet, or the corners of the mouth as nasolabial folds, also known as laugh lines3.
What causes signs of ageing in the skin?
Skin ageing symptoms are caused by an assortment of both intrinsic (innate) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. Knowing these causes is a big step if you’re wondering how to stop skin ageing or at least how to slow down ageing in a realistic, skin-friendly way.
Intrinsic factors are contributing factors that are inherent, such as genetic predisposition. Other intrinsic factors contributing to signs of skin aging include:
- Reduced skin firmness
Collagen helps provide support and strength to your skin. In ageing skin, collagen production decreases and existing collagen in the skin breaks down more quickly4, causing skin to lose some of its firmness which contributes to fine lines and wrinkles. Supporting collagen through good skin care for aging skin is one way people try to reverse signs of aging over time.
- Reduced skin elasticity
Elastin is a protein responsible for helping your skin to maintain its elasticity and ability to ‘bounce back’ from being stretched. As with collagen, elastin decreases in the skin as we age, contributing to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles5. When you’re learning how to stop ageing or how to slow down ageing, keeping your skin well moisturised and protected can help support its natural elasticity.
- Age-related dry skin
The skin’s sebaceous glands produce less sebum (oil) as we age, which can lead to dryness and itchiness from dry skin1. Dry skin can also contribute to the appearance of more temporary fine lines and wrinkles due to dehydration6. So if you’re thinking about how to prevent aging in a simple way, keeping your skin well hydrated every day is an easy place to start.
Extrinsic factors are those that originate from outside the body. They can amplify and contribute to signs of skin aging, particularly premature signs of skin aging from the sun known as photoageing. Some extrinsic factors contributing to signs of aging in the skin include:
- Excessive sun exposure:
Sunlight is the number one cause of skin ageing. The sun’s harmful UV rays contribute to photoageing by causing damage to the skin that can affect its elasticity and firmness, leading to the formation of wrinkles7. Photoageing can also cause sun-induced dark spots on the skin which are sometimes referred to as age spots because they tend to show up more prevalently after age 508. Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most powerful answers when you ask how to stop skin ageing and how to slow down aging overall.
- Pollution:
Free radicals in the air can damage the skin, weakening the skin barrier and reducing skin hydration9. Over time this can add to signs of aging on face and body, so gentle cleansing and protection are key parts of skin care for aging skin.
- Smoking
Smoking can affect collagen production in the skin, contributing to premature development of fine lines and wrinkles3. Smoking can also lead to wrinkles around the mouth over time from repeatedly pursing the lips to smoke. If you’re searching for how to slow down ageing and how to prevent aging in a holistic way, avoiding smoking is a powerful step.
Does oily skin age better?
When it comes to skin ageing, oily skin may look more youthful than dry skin in certain areas due to having a higher concentration of sebaceous glands which can give it a more ‘plumped’ appearance. However, this is not universal for all areas of the skin, and sun exposure is considered a primary factor in early skin ageing regardless of skin type, accounting for a majority of the visible skin changes. So if you’ve asked yourself “does oily skin age better?”, the answer is that protection and care still matter just as much.
When does the skin start to show signs of ageing?
Depending on your genetics, lifestyle choices, and environment, the age of onset for signs of skin aging varies.
Since production of collagen begins to decrease from the early twenties onwards, some people start seeing fine lines and wrinkles as early as their mid-twenties, while others may not notice visible signs of skin aging until their 30s or beyond3. Whenever you first notice them, there are still plenty of ways to support your skin if you’re curious about how to slow down aging in a gentle, realistic way.
Can you prevent or delay signs of ageing in the skin?
While it isn’t possible to completely prevent all signs of ageing, there are some measures you can take to help prevent premature ageing of the skin and make it feel like you’re working to reverse aging in your daily life. Here are 5 ways to help avoid premature skin ageing and support your skin long term:
- Wear sun protection
Since UV radiation is a leading cause of premature skin ageing, one of the easiest ways to limit this effect is to take proper sun protection measures, such as applying (and reapplying as directed) a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to exposed areas of skin every day, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours of the day. If you’re looking for simple reverse aging tips, starting with daily SPF is one of the most effective ways to protect your skin and help reduce future damage.
- Don’t smoke, or quit if you already smoke
Smoking is another risk factor for wrinkles and premature skin ageing. By avoiding smoking, you can help avoid the signs of premature ageing that smoking can cause10. It’s a powerful lifestyle choice when you care about how to slow down ageing and how to stop ageing from showing up too early on your skin.
- Adopt a healthy diet and exercise routine
Being well-nourished is important for overall health, including skin health, and studies have shown that certain types of regular cardiovascular exercise can also help support skin health11. Consuming certain substances like alcohol can have a negative impact on the skin over time12, so be sure to consult with a doctor about what diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices are healthiest for you. Looking after your body from the inside is a key part of how to prevent aging and how to stop skin ageing from progressing faster than it needs to.
- Hydrate!
Just as keeping skin hydrated is important on the outside, be sure to drink enough water to help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. When the body is dehydrated, this can show on the skin in the form of temporary dehydration lines13. Sipping water regularly and using moisturisers that suit your skin are easy, everyday reverse aging tips that can make your complexion look fresher and smoother.
- Get a good night’s sleep
The body works to repair and restore its tissues during sleep, and this includes the skin. Studies have shown that chronic poor sleep is associated with an increase in signs of intrinsic skin ageing including compromised skin barrier function, so getting plenty of restful sleep is important to supporting the skin and helping to avoid signs of premature ageing14. When you’re trying to work out how to slow down ageing, a consistent sleep routine is a simple but powerful habit.
- Use skincare products formulated to manage early signs of ageing
Keeping skin hydrated and using skincare products specially formulated to help address the look of signs of skin aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots can help to support a more youthful-looking complexion. Building a routine tailored to skin and aging together is one of the most practical answers when you’re wondering how to stop ageing from showing as quickly on your face.
Skincare products to help visibly reduce signs of ageing in the skin
Is it possible to reverse signs of aging or completely eliminate all signs of ageing in the skin? Unfortunately, the answer is no. But there are some ways to help reduce the appearance of skin ageing signs like fine lines, wrinkles, and sun-induced dark spots with your skincare routine. When you combine targeted products with healthy lifestyle choices, it can feel like you’re doing your best to reverse aging in a realistic, skin-friendly way.
NIVEA offers several skincare products that can help to reduce the appearance of signs of skin aging while leaving your skin feeling smooth and hydrated.
Helping support visibly firmer skin with NIVEA Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is an essential natural antioxidant that helps fight free radicals. Skin naturally produces its own Q10, however these levels dwindle with time. Skincare products containing Q10 may help to smooth and firm skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
NIVEA’s skin-firming Q10 range formulated with Q10 helps support skin elasticity while delivering moisture, for firmer skin in as little as 2 weeks with twice-daily regular use. Adding these products into your skin care for aging skin routine is a simple way to support your complexion if you’re looking for gentle, everyday reverse aging tips.
NIVEA Skin Firming products
with Q10 for firmer-looking skin
NIVEA MEN’s Age Defense line addresses the unique needs of men’s skin for younger-looking skin.
After cleansing the skin, apply NIVEA MEN Age Defense Advanced Serum to visibly reduce the look of dark spots and visibly even out skin tone appearance. This lightweight and fast-absorbing serum formulated with Thiamidol® and Hyaluronic Acid is specially crafted for men’s skin, providing 24hr moisture to the skin and visibly reducing the look of dark spots and wrinkles with regular use. It’s an easy way to personalise skin care for aging skin if you want practical, everyday reverse aging tips without complicated routines.
For daily moisture with the added benefit of sun protection, apply NIVEA MEN Age Defense Daily Face Moisturizer SPF30. This daytime moisturiser contains a beard-friendly formula with sunscreen that helps defend against harmful UVA & UVB rays* and it also helps to visibly reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles with regular use. Broad Spectrum SPF30 sunscreen helps protect skin from early signs of ageing caused by the sun, and its light, non-greasy formula provides 24hr moisture to help protect skin from drying out. If you’re wondering how to stop skin ageing from sun damage, building this step into your morning routine is simple and effective.
*for sun protection, use as directed
For crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eyes, apply NIVEA MEN Age Defense Eye Cream. This moisturising eye cream delivers 24-hour hydration and reduced look of under-eye puffiness while helping to reduce the look of crow’s feet and dark circles under the eyes with regular use. Perfect for daily use, this eye cream is specially formulated for men with sensitive skin, leaving skin looking younger. It’s a focused step in skin care for aging skin that helps you target one of the most common signs of aging on face.
Ageing gracefully with NIVEA skincare
Skin ageing is a natural part of life, but through a combination of sun protection, mindful lifestyle choices, and supportive skin care, younger-looking skin can be within reach. Explore NIVEA Skin Firming products with Q10 and NIVEA MEN Age Defense products to help address early signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles and enjoy hydrated, healthy-looking skin. While you can’t completely reverse aging, combining these steps with your own healthy habits is a realistic way to care for skin and aging together.
