The skin is one of the organs most exposed to and in contact with environmental stimuli. Together, it is a mirror of our condition, well-being, state of health, or, ultimately, age. Skin aging is a natural process that begins earlier in women.
One of the main factors behind women's skin changes is collagen degradation, which begins around the age of 20, reducing the amount of collagen produced by 1% each year. Collagen and elastin fibers become thinner but larger. This results in lower lability, more difficult recovery, less rigid and robust component interactions, and skin texture. The result is reduced elasticity, sagging, and eventually wrinkled skin.
The 20th year is also crucial for the reduction of skin’s natural exfoliation. The horny skin cells on the very surface of the skin are harder to remove and begin to accumulate on the surface of the skin. This process is followed by a gradual decrease in the activity of the sebaceous glands, followed by the release of less natural skin protection and nourishing factors. And at this stage, the skin becomes thinner and grayer, the natural glow disappears, deep eternal wrinkles gradually begin to form, the evaporation of water from the intercellular matrix is stopped and the skin becomes dehydrated.
Why does a woman catch this sooner?
Women's skin is particularly sensitive to changes in hormonal balance, and emotional state and these processes are more physiologically labile and more active for the fairer sex. It is also greatly influenced by the anatomical difference in the characteristics of men's skin, which results in a thinner middle layer of skin (dermis), in which complexes of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are formed. Nevertheless, men have been fortunate to have higher cellular activity in the synthesis of fibrillar collagen protein, so we will rarely see even the smallest wrinkles in mimicry.
When it comes to skin conditions, hormones are a very important link. Menopause has a major impact on the condition of women’s skin and a dramatic decrease in collagen synthesis, with a major rebalancing of hormones. At the same time, estrogen is reduced, which promotes collagen synthesis and ensures a uniform skin texture. It is after menopause that the skin becomes thinner, loses the capacity to intensively synthesize protective factors, and becomes more sensitive and hyperpigmented. And while men also experience hormonal imbalances and lower testosterone levels, it occurs much later, about 55-60 years old, while women experience 40-50 years of menopause and lower estrogen.
Still, there is an opportunity to slow it down by protecting the skin from external factors. It is environmental factors that form free radicals, which cause chemical and structural changes in cells. The emergence of free radicals is caused by ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, conditioned air, or lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
What can be done to slow down the aging process of the skin?
The good news is that the skin is labile and prone to rejuvenation. Properly moisturizing, nourishing, and supplementing it with the right ingredients can slow down the aging process and tissue breakdown.
The most important thing is to carelessly love your skin, take care of it regularly and enrich it with the best products and the most effective substances. First of all, it is important to take care of proper skin hydration, because the first factor in the formation of wrinkles is moisture loss. It is important that the active ingredients reach the deep layers of the skin and maintain the required balance of moisture and nutrient synthesis.
Secondly, in order for the skin to remain elastic, radiant, and feel comfortable, it is important to ensure that the natural moisturizing factor (NMF) is appropriate. NMF is a union of many humectants (intense moisturizers) that activate enzymes that help cells regenerate. It is made by the upper layer of the skin - the epidermis - to maintain and protect the condition of healthy skin.
NMF ensures skin elasticity and maximum utilization of nutrients for the synthesis of structural proteins and provides a barrier layer that protects the skin from infections, dehydration, or chemicals we find in decorative cosmetics.
As the skin ages, NMF decreases, and water evaporation from the skin's intercellular material is unrestricted, so one of the most common complaints of mature skin owners is dry skin, which is often accompanied by dehydration.
Products with NMF and other crucial ingredients, which helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles can be found in the MOMENTUM line of products.
