Aging skin is something that we all want to avoid, but we need to be armed with the correct information in order to do this. Here are seven surprising facts about skin aging, as well as some useful tips on how to keep those pesky wrinkles at bay for as long as possible!
1. Skin aging begins at the age of 25
Collagen is the protein that holds our skin in place, but as we get older, our bodies don’t produce as much of it, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. While the effects of this may not be noticeable until your thirties, the aging process actually starts in your mid-twenties, making 25 the ideal age to begin looking into anti-aging products.
2. Facial movements such as squinting, smiling or frowning can lead to lines and wrinkles
Each time you use one of your facial muscles, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin. As you age and your skin loses its flexibility, it is not as capable of bouncing back into place, turning those grooves into permanent lines or wrinkles.
3. Sleeping on your face leads to furrowed brows. Sleeping on the side causes wrinkles on chin and cheeks
Many dermatologists can instantly tell what your preferred sleeping position is, simply from a quick glance at your face. The best position to sleep in, if you want to minimize any of those extra wrinkles, is on your back, and you can even purchase special pillows to stop you from turning to your side. If you are still finding this difficult, OROGOLD recommends investing in a silk or satin pillowcase, as this causes less friction against your face, preventing the wrinkles from forming.
4. Cleansing your face more than two times a day can lead to moisture loss
The skin on our bodies produce a natural oil, and this forms a barrier on the outer layer of the skin, trapping moisture inside and protecting the skin from damage. While cleansing is important, each time you cleanse, you strip your skin of these natural oils, and if you over-cleanse, your skin will soon end up looking and feeling quite dry.
5. Smokers are more likely to develop wrinkles and leathery skin, when compared to non-smokers
Smoking drastically speeds up the skin’s aging process, which is why smokers are much more prone to wrinkles than non-smokers. There are over 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, each of which damages the collagen and elastin in your skin, meaning that second-hand smoke can be just as aging.
6. Using sunscreen daily can reduce skin aging by as much as 24%
The sun is the leading cause of aging skin, yet we tend to forget about sunscreen on a daily basis. Even if you spend your days indoors, OROGOLD reminds you that the UV rays responsible for aging our skin can still penetrate through glass, and are still around even on an overcast day, making sunscreen absolutely crucial each and every day.
7. Soda contains high levels of phosphate which prematurely ages your skin
Phosphates are used in sodas to give them their fizz, while acting as a preservative at the same time. However, drinking just two sodas a week is enough to upset your balance of phosphates, leading to an acceleration in your aging process, as well as a variety of other health issues, from skin atrophy to brittle bones to kidney disease.
Once you understand the causes behind skin aging, it is much easier to take the necessary measures needed to prevent this from happening prematurely. Whether this may be as simple as changing your sleeping position, or altering your lifestyle to cut out smoking and fizzy drinks, it won’t be long before you begin to notice the effects, definitely making your efforts extremely worthwhile.
