Have you ever heard of the 2 types of ageing?

If not, let me share more with you so that you have a better understanding of how our skin ages and what we can do to keep our skin looking as youthful as possible.

The 2 types of ageing are called intrinsic ageing and extrinsic ageing.

Think of intrinsic ageing as our internal ageing – things that are programmed within our DNA that we have little control over.

The more exciting type of ageing is extrinsic ageing – I say exciting because we can actually control how much this type of ageing impacts our skin!

Extrinsic ageing is caused by our exposure to things such as the sun, pollution, sugar, chemicals, alcohol and drugs. 

While we obviously can’t avoid everything and still want to enjoy our lives, there are things we can do to minimise our exposure or reduce the impact that these triggers can have.

Firstly, and what I would say is the easiest step, is protecting our skin from the sun. This could look like choosing to fake tan instead of laying out in the sun, wearing a physical SPF daily and wearing a hat and sunglasses when outside. Wearing sunglasses can also help to slow down crows feet (aka the lines that from around your eyes), as constant squinting can cause these to form earlier. 

Something that often comes along with ageing is pigmentation. Pigmentation can occur at any age, but when we have years and years of sun exposure (think of all the times you have just quickly hung out the washing or walked to your car with no sunscreen) this damage accumulates and can cause patches of the skin to appear darker. Interestingly, this process of extra pigment being produced can also occur through receptors in your eyes – another reason why wearing sunglasses is super important for the skin!

Secondly, making changes to our skin routine to combat the effects of pollution can also be incredibly helpful. This would include cleansing the skin properly daily, morning and night, and applying a vitamin C serum in the morning. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which helps to protect the skin from environmental damage, most formulations will also help to brighten the skin as a nice side effect 😉

Lastly, making smart choices with your diet and habits can also make a huge difference when it comes to ageing. Diets high in sugar and fat can cause inflammation within the skin, which can lead to accelerated ageing. Studies have shown that copper can assist with improving skin elasticity, reducing facial lines/wrinkles. Getting enough protein consumption is also important to support the skin’s ageing process. Additionally, supporting the skin with Vitamins such as vitamin A, B’s, C, D & E can reduce oxidative damage to the skin and reduce inflammation levels. 

Keep an eye out for some more content to come,  showcasing some ‘skin-ageing friendly’ foods to include in your diet!