What causes signs of
ageing in skin and how can you manage them?
First signs of ageing in skin – what are they and how can you manage them?
Skin ageing is inevitable over time, but how strong the signs of ageing are depends on both biological and environmental factors—some you can control and some you can’t1. Read on to learn more about the signs of ageing in skin, what causes them, how you can manage them, and how to help prevent signs of premature ageing in the skin.
Skin ageing is the natural process that your skin undergoes as you get older, gradually losing elasticity and firmness. Common signs of skin ageing include wrinkles, dark spots, and crepey skin. Other signs include thinner skin and an increased tendency to bruise1.
Skin ageing affects your whole body, especially areas where the skin is exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, shoulders, and arms2. Because of elasticity loss and repeated creases in the skin, early signs of skin ageing like wrinkles commonly start showing on the face at the corners of the eyes as crow’s feet, or at 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 a mix of both intrinsic (innate) and extrinsic (environmental) factors.
Intrinsic factors are contributing factors that are inherent, such as genetic predisposition. Other intrinsic factors contributing to signs of skin ageing 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.
- Reduced skin elasticity
Elastin is a protein responsible for helping your skin maintain its elasticity and ability to ‘bounce back’ from being stretched. As with collagen, elastin decreases in the skin as you age, contributing to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles5.
- Age-related dry skin
The skin’s sebaceous glands produce less sebum (oil) as you 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.
Extrinsic factors are those that come from outside the body. They can amplify and contribute to signs of skin ageing, particularly premature signs of skin ageing from the sun, known as photoageing. Some extrinsic factors contributing to signs of ageing 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 damaging the skin and affecting its elasticity and firmness, which can lead to the formation of wrinkles7. Photoageing can also cause sun-induced dark spots on the skin, sometimes called age spots because they tend to show up more often after age 508.
- Pollution:
Free radicals in the air can damage your skin, weakening the skin barrier and reducing skin hydration9.
- Smoking
Smoking can affect collagen production in the skin, contributing to the 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.
Does oily skin age better?
When it comes to skin ageing, oily skin may look more youthful than dry skin in certain areas because it has a higher concentration of sebaceous glands, which can give it a more ‘plumped’ appearance. However, this isn’t true for all areas of the skin, and sun exposure is still a primary factor in early skin ageing regardless of skin type, accounting for most of the visible skin changes.
When does the skin start to show signs of ageing?
Depending on your genetics, lifestyle choices, and environment, the age at which signs of skin ageing start to appear will vary.
Because collagen production 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 ageing until their 30s or beyond3.
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 a few measures you can take to help prevent premature ageing of the skin. Here are 5 ways to help avoid premature skin ageing:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 your skin over time12, so be sure to chat to a doctor about which diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices are healthiest for you.
- Hydrate!
Just as keeping your skin hydrated is important on the outside, be sure to drink enough water to help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. When your body is dehydrated, this can show on your skin in the form of temporary dehydration lines13.
- Get a good night’s sleep
Your body works to repair and restore its tissues during sleep, and this includes your 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 support your skin and help you avoid signs of premature ageing14.
- Use skincare products formulated to manage early signs of ageing
Keeping your skin hydrated and using skincare products specially formulated to help address the look of signs of skin ageing like wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots can help support a more youthful-looking complexion.
Skincare products to help visibly reduce signs of ageing in the skin
Is it possible to reverse signs of ageing or completely eliminate all signs of ageing in the skin? Unfortunately, the answer is no. But there are a few ways you can help reduce the appearance of skin-ageing signs like fine lines, wrinkles, and sun-induced dark spots with your skincare routine.
NIVEA offers several skincare products that can help reduce the appearance of signs of skin ageing 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. Your skin naturally produces its own Q10; however, these levels decrease with time. Skincare products containing Q10 may help to smooth and firm your 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.
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 your 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 24-hour moisture and visibly reducing the look of dark spots and wrinkles with regular use.
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 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 24-hour moisture to help protect skin from drying out.
*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 a 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 your eye area looking younger.
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 skincare, younger-looking skin can still 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.
