The best anti-wrinkle approach

With good care products tailored to the skin, wrinkles are less likely, the skin retains its elasticity and remains resilient for longer. But what does our skin actually look like under the top layer? What is the function of the skin and why does the skin age? And, most importantly, what can you do about it?

The skin

The skin is the largest organ in our body and has a great self-healing capacity: a wound closes on its own. Thanks to the nerves in the skin, we have a sense of touch and we can perceive pain, cold and heat. The skin is made up of a number of layers, which are all made up of layers that are connected to each other.

• The top layer is the epidermis (the epidermis). Cell division takes place at the bottom of this skin layer. New skin cells (keratinocytes) are formed, which then slowly slide upwards and die. The part of the skin that we see (the horny layer) therefore consists of dead cells. They constantly flake off and are replaced by new ones. Thanks to this process of cell division, the epidermis renews itself about once a month. Cell division is slower in the elderly than in the young. The epidermis also contains pigment cells, which determine the color of the skin by secreting pigment. As you get older, these cells are less and less well distributed over the skin and the pigment production also becomes less constant. This can cause white and dark spots.
• Underneath is the dermis, or dermis. This skin layer is made up of connective tissue with collagen fibers. Collagen gives firmness and elasticity to the skin. In the dermis we find the blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves.
• And below that lies the subcutaneous connective tissue, or the subcutis. This layer mainly consists of adipose tissue: clusters of fat cells surrounded by connective tissue strands. The subcutaneous connective tissue provides heat insulation, energy storage and it serves as a cushion.

Some functions of the skin

• Retains heat.
• Protects against harmful external influences.
• Helps regulate body temperature. When it is cold, the blood vessels in the skin contract and when it is hot they widen to release heat. The body also cools down due to the evaporation of perspiration on the skin.
• Makes vitamin D3 under the influence of sunlight. This vitamin plays a role in bone formation, among other things.

Skin aging

The cells that produce new skin cells slow down with age. Due to the reduced production of new skin cells, the skin becomes thinner and more vulnerable. In addition, less collagen is produced. As a result, the skin slackens and loses its elasticity, which makes it easier to develop wrinkles. The subcutaneous fat tissue also becomes thinner, making the skin less ‘full’ and resilient.

Sebum and sweat form a layer on the skin, which makes the skin somewhat ‘waterproof’. This makes it harder for the moisture in the skin to escape and evaporate. The skin also contains substances that bind moisture to it. These two systems keep the skin beautifully moisturised. With age, sebum and sweat production slows down, and the amount of natural moisture binders in the skin decreases. The result is increasingly dry and rough skin.

Factors that influence the skin aging process:

1. Internal factors, such as heredity. You cannot influence these factors
2. Exogenous (external) factors. You can influence these factors:

• UV rays in sunlight (UVA and UVB) are a major cause of skin aging. Areas of skin that are frequently exposed to sunlight (face, hands) age earlier than areas that are always covered by clothing.
• Harmful substances (e.g. in tobacco smoke, air pollution, medicines) increase the production of free radicals; reactive particles that can damage cells and cell structures and thus age the skin.
• Climate and weather influences that extract extra moisture from the skin, such as freezing cold, a mild wind or the dry air in centrally heated rooms.

In action against skin aging

Fortunately, you can take a number of actions that slow down the skin aging process, making the skin less prone to sagging, less wrinkles and fewer pigment spots.

• Hydrate, nourish and stimulate the skin. There are many excellent skin care products that contain substances that prevent skin aging. Some of the ingredients in it stimulate cell renewal, others stimulate collagen production, and still others help the skin retain moisture better. Practically all care products for mature skin contain antioxidants. These are substances that neutralize free radicals. A night cream often contains more active ingredients that stimulate cell renewal.
• Protect the skin from UV light. A good day cream always contains a UV filter with a minimum factor of 15. Even in the shade or in cloudy weather, you must protect the skin against UVA radiation. In bright sunlight, use a sun product that protects with a factor of 30 to 50 against both UVA and UVB radiation.

• Stop smoking. And make sure that the body receives as few harmful substances as possible.

• Eat healthy. Then you also get a lot of antioxidants through the diet, which fight free radicals and thus keep the skin young.