Mature skin: what mature skin looks like and how to treat it

We often hear about mature skin, in cosmetic advertisements and commercial communications, it is a term commonly used to refer to skin that shows signs of aging, the kind for which the market has developed anti-aging products. Let's learn more about what mature skin looks like.

 

Contrary to skin type, which can be dry, normal, oily or combination, mature skin is something we allə have sooner or later in our lives. On a technical and medical level, there is no real definition of what mature skin is, and when it should appear, because here everyone's uniqueness, genetics, and external environmental factors play a huge role and can make a difference. To simplify, we can agree that skin is defined as mature from the moment it visibly shows signs of aging: wrinkles, expression lines, changing thickness, texture and pigmentation.

In general, after the age of 25, there begins a phase in which cell growth and collagen production in the epidermis slows down. This does not mean that the skin after the age of 25 can already be called a "mature skin," but simply that from that time on, in a completely different way for each of us, the first signs of aging may gradually appear, which will gradually lead to the development of what we have referred to as mature skin.

 

This maturing can have endless causes, depending on genetic factors, but also on endless external factors, a few examples: our eating habits, whether or not we smoke, the amount of alcohol we consume on average in a lifetime, where we live, our ethnicity, the hormones our bodies produce, the work we do, exposure to UV and blue light.

What happens to the skin as we age?

Over time, our skin changes in appearance, texture and even structure as several factors interact with its functioning. Let's see which ones.

 

Oxidative stress also plays a key role here: as we age, our skin is constantly subjected to oxidative stress, which attacks collagen and elastin cells by going on to affect the very structure of the skin, and thus its outward appearance.

 

In addition to this factor, over time the skin tends to thin, this happens due to a slowdown in the cell renewal cycle and a reduction in epidermal microcirculation. As the years go by, moreover, sebum production decreases, and thus the natural production of oils that help keep the skin supple and nourished. This is one of the causes of the generalized dryness of mature skin and its renewed need for nourishment.

 

The slowing of cell renewal processes can also cause dyschromia or unevenness in skin pigmentation, and thus skin spots that gradually appear over time.

 

Finally, the extracellular matrix in the skin begins to lose its reticular structure, which makes the skin toned and elastic, as the proteins that make it up, namely elastin and collagen are synthesized in smaller amounts. This means that the volumes of the face, such as the cheeks, tend to hollow out and lose their structure.

 

How to treat mature skin to slow down these processes?

 

Against the passing of time, there is no solution except to accept it as something natural that we cannot change, to be gratə for all the memories accumulated over the years, and to be curious about what the future holds. In any case, there is something we can do to not accentuate the appearance of signs of skin aging and keep our skin healthy while preserving its overall well-being. Here we leave you with a few pointers that you can put into practice at any age, because our skin of tomorrow also depends on the choices we make today:

 

1. One rule that always applies is to expose ourselves to the sun with common sense, without overdoing it, and above all by wearing adequate protection: UV-protective clothing or sunscreen with spf 30 or 50, and reapply every two to three hours. This will prevent us from developing sunspots, and limit free radical attacks on the skin
   
   
2. An eye for nutrition can only have positive repercussions on skin health as well. A measured intake of sugar is a great way to preserve the skin's collagen. This also means making moderate alcohol consumption
   
   
3. Hydration is essential for the whole body, and especially for the skin. Drinking water throughout the day is one way to keep the body hydrated, applying products with moisturizing ingredients to the skin will help keep it intact and supple, thus delaying the appearance of signs of aging
   
   
4. Let's not neglect the importance of sleep! Adequate rest is important for our health in general, and it is also good for the skin, because during the night our skin cells go into a self-repair mode, so it is important not to neglect the hours of rest and try to have as habitual a sleep pattern as possible
   
   
5. The last suggestion, which not only concerns the skin but our health in general, is to avoid smoking. An extensive scientific literature today is able to illustrate the damage smoking does to our health, and it also does not leave out the negative impact this habit has on our skin. We know that it is not an easy thing to quit smoking, but motivation and willpower in this case can literally save our lives!
   
   
6. Finally, a proper skincare routine is an unfailing ally for happy and beautiful aging skin

Want to find out how to structure it? We explain it to you in this article!