Reflections

The signs of skin aging are caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Intrinsic aging is the normal, genetic process of physical change over time, and begins the minute we’re born.

Extrinsic aging is aging caused by external factors like our environment and lifestyle.

Collagen is a protein produced in the body that connects, supports, and helps give firmness and strength to the body's tissues.

By the time we reach our 30th birthday, we will start to lose 1% of collagen with each subsequent birthday. Collagen production slows as we age, which impacts the skin’s ability to repair itself, triggering a loss of elasticity.

Because of collagen’s role in firmer, taut skin, many skin aging products include ingredients that help stimulate collagen production.

Free radicals are responsible for skin aging in the form of wrinkles, breakdown in collagen and elastin, and inflammation.

Also known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), free radicals are highly reactive, unstable molecules that attack and steal from stable molecules. Unstable means the free radicals don’t have an even number of electrons, and are constantly in search of an extra electron to steal to become stable. For every free radical that “steals” from a stable molecule, another free radical is formed, causing a cascade of free radical formation.

No matter what you hear, what you read, or what you want to believe, skin aging cannot be reversed. But there are steps you can take to control the situation.