Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Aging
One thing we often hear from our customers (usually accompanied by a deep sigh of resignation) is that wrinkles and aging are inevitable. Well, yes – and NO! There are some factors that cause aging skin that we can control.
Before we go any further, let’s differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic aging:
- Intrinsic aging is a natural process that is programmed by your genes. Obviously, we have little control over this.
- Extrinsic aging is the bigger problem and causes more damage. Factors that we are exposed to on a regular basis and cause extrinsic aging include pollution, the amount of alcohol we drink, our nutritional in-take, the amount of sleep we get and, most important, our exposure to the sun.
Our skin protects our internal organs very proficiently but pays a price because unlike other organs, we wear it on the outside. Photo-aging (sun damage) can take decades to show up. By the time we are aware of it, it's too late to completely reverse the damage. The sun can cause freckles, age spots, spider veins, rough and leathery skin, fine lines and wrinkles, loose skin, irregular skin pigmentation and even skin cancer.
The good news is that we do have some control over how our skin ages! Healthy lifestyle habits and limited, protected exposure to the sun will result in dramatically younger-looking skin. We can't stress enough how important it is to wear sunscreen everyday! Try glō•therapeutics lightweight Oil Free SPF 40+ - it's non-comedogenic, hydrating and offers broad-spectrum protection. Apply daily and slow down extrinsic aging!
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