What are the biggest contributors to ageing skin?

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What are the biggest contributors to ageing skin?

Internal factors  |  External factors  |  Prevention tips


Written by Dr. Dalibor Mijaljica BSC, PhD.

Updated on June 30, 2023
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Age and everything that comes with it is an unfortunate fact of life. While we can’t reverse ageing, or stop its inevitable march we can at least minimise the visible effects of ageing with the right mindset and skincare plan. Here, we will describe 5 significant contributors to ageing skin, broken up into two main categories of internal and external factors, and have a look at what we can do to minimise their effects. 

The two main biological contributors to ageing skin are impaired barrier function and decreased water content. While the three main environmental contributors to ageing skin are sun exposure, environmental impact such as pollution and climate and lifestyle and habits.

Internal factors

Types of internal contributors to ageing skin

Internal ageing of the skin simply refers to the natural ageing process. It occurs as a consequence of physiological changes over time at variable, yet genetically programmed rates1. In other words, as the skin ages it undergoes numerous changes which are outside of our control, from reduced water content of skin cells due to their reduced ability to bind and retain water, to reduced levels of structural proteins, collagen and elastin which are responsible for maintaining the skin’s strength2.

Since hydration is key to the proper functioning of the skin3, all of these changes can lead to a compromised skin barrier ability, and decreased strength and structural integrity, making the skin more dry and fragile, less flexible and quite susceptible to injury, and even microbial or environmental damage1,2,4.

The two main biological contributors to ageing skin are impaired barrier function and decreased water content.

Dr. Dalibor Mijaljica

External factors

Types of external contributors to ageing skin

The remaining 3 contributors are all what we would call external or environmental factors. External ageing of the skin is pretty much the opposite of internal ageing: it refers to ageing of the skin brought about by things within the outside environment. This process can be caused by a range of environmental factors, including sun radiation, cigarette smoking, air pollution and exposure to other environmental factors such as cold, heat, dust, wind, humidity and smog4,5,6.

Lifestyle choices and habits such as poor diet, lack of exercise, inconsistent sleep habits and stress can also have an impact on how our skin (and bodies in general) age and adapt to ageing4,5,6. All of these factors can act either separately or by interacting with each other or even with biological factors to potentially damage the skin structure and function, eventually leading to more visibly aged skin5,6.

Prevention tips

Ways to minimise or slow down ageing skin

Even though we cannot stop the process of natural ageing, we can aim to avoid as many contributing factors as possible with a commitment to: (i) accept the factors that cannot be changed such as our genetics, and (ii) minimise or slow down the factors that can be changed.

With the second point in mind, the best ways to achieve this is by avoiding harmful activates such as smoking or sunbathing, and committing to wearing protective clothing and using sunscreens to minimise sun exposure. Maintaining as healthy a lifestyle as possible will also help, try that salad instead of a burger, and replace an hour of TV with a walk. Finally, topical products that are designed for sensitive or ageing skin, such as moisturiser, can help to improve skin barrier function and moisturisation, giving your skin the best chance it has of warding off the visible signs of ageing5.

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References

1. Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, Maibach HI. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in skin ageing: a review. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2008; 30(2):87-95. 

2. Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, Maibach HI. Structural characteristics of the ageing skin: a review. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2007; 26(4):343-357.

3. Draelos ZD. Modern moisturizer myths, misconceptions, and truths. Cutis. 2013; 91(6):308-314. 

4. Oresajo C, Pillai S, Manco M, Yatskayer M, McDaniel D. Antioxidants and the skin: understanding formulation and efficacy. Dermatol Ther. 2012; 25(3):252-259.

5. Krutmann J, Bouloc A, Sore G, Bernard BA, Passeron T. The skin ageing exposome. J Dermatol Sci. 2017; 85(3):152-161. 

6. Krutmann J, Schikowski T, Morita A, Berneburg M. Environmentally-induced (extrinsic) skin ageing: Exposomal factors and underlying mechanisms. J Invest Dermatol. 2021; 141(4S):1096-1103.

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