Skin elasticity – How can I tighten my skin and reduce deep wrinkles?

Our skin is as individual as we are, and skin ages differently depending on our genetics and lifestyle, but for most of us general skin aging starts to affect the way our skin looks and feels from around the age of 30. Fine lines usually appear first, followed by wrinkles. Over time we experience a loss of volume and a loss of elasticity. Skin’s firmness and radiance reduces, and wrinkles deepen.

Skin aging is a natural process, and much of it is brought about by factors we cannot control (such as our genetics). There are, however, external factors at play too, and many of these can be influenced positively. Certain lifestyle choices (such as the amount of sun we expose our skin to and our diet) can speed up skin aging and cause skin to age prematurely. Making sensible decisions, and giving skin the protection it needs, can help to keep it looking and feeling younger for longer.

Skin changes as we age: fine lines and wrinkles appear first and deepen over time. As we continue to mature skin’s firmness, radiance and, later on, its elasticity all gradually reduce. The loss of elasticity, combined with the appearance of deep wrinkles, is a primary aging concern for women with mature skin.

A loss of firmness and deepening wrinkles are, to some extent, an inevitable part of skin aging. Skin aging is a natural process, much of which is caused by internal factors which we cannot influence. However, there are several external factors which have a major influence on skin aging and many of these can be addressed to prevent skin from aging prematurely:

Oxidative stress, which causes skin to age prematurely, is accelerated and triggered by a variety of lifestyle factors:

Sun

The sun’s UVA and UVB rays affect skin in different ways. UVA rays are most commonly associated with photoaging (premature skin aging caused by the sun) as they contribute to the breakdown of skin components such as Hyaluronic Acid, collagen and elastin that are key to the firmness and elasticity of skin. UVB rays can cause immediate damage such as sunburn and long-term damage such as skin cancer. Read more in how UVA, UVB and HEVIS light affect skin 

Pollution

Pollution triggers the release of free radicals and accelerates oxidative stress in the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is formed by skin cells and is part of the connective tissue of the skin. One of its key functions is to retain moisture, and it has the ability to bind in between 1,000 and 10,000 times its own weight in water (i.e. one gram binds between one and ten liters). As we age, the skin's natural ability to produce Hyaluronic Acid depletes and wrinkles start to form and deepen.

High and low molecular Hyaluronic Acid

Eucerin uses two different types of Hyaluronic Acid in the Hyaluron-Filler and Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity, Anti-Pigment Dual Serum and Sun Photoaging Control formulas to effectively target and plump wrinkles from the inside out:

• High molecular Hyaluronic Acid (also known as long-chained Hyaluronic Acid). This remains on skin’s surface and works to improve hydration in the outermost layer of the epidermis – where fine lines and winkles originate.
• Low molecular Hyaluronic Acid (also known as short-chained Hyaluronic Acid). With molecules that are 40 times smaller 1 than those of high molecular Hyaluronic Acid, low molecular Hyaluronic Acid penetrates further into the epidermal layers where it stimulates skin’s own production of Hyaluronic Acid, replenishing moisture where deeper wrinkles originate. 1 The standard unit for measuring the mass of an atom is a kilo Dalton (kDa). High molecular Hyaluronic Acid has a kDa of 2000 and low molecular Hyaluronic Acid has a kDa of 52. Both are contained in the Hyaluron-Filler, Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity and Sun Photoaging Control formulas.

Milk Thistle Oil

The oil of the Milk Thistle plant (also known as Lady's Thistle or Silybum Marianium) is a common ingredient in anti-aging skincare. It contains Linoleic acid (an Omega-6 fatty acid) and is known to nourish skin and improve radiance. It is one of the oils in Eucerin Elasticity + Filler Facial Oil.

Silymarin

Silymarin is extracted from the fruits of the Milk Thistle plant (also known as Lady's Thistle). It is a powerful antioxidant, protecting collagen and elastin from oxidative stress, and helps to strengthen skin's microcirculation system at a cellular level. It is a key active in the Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity formula.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E (also known as Tocopherol) is a powerful anti-oxidant that protects skin against the free radicals that cause oxidative stress and helps to support its natural resilience. It is one of the ingredients in Eucerin Elasticity + Filler Facial Oil.

Sun protection

Protecting your skin from the sun is the most important step to preventing premature skin aging. Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays can cause premature skin aging, so always use formulas that offer UV protection such as Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Day SPF 15. For prolonged exposure choose a dedicated sun protection product for your face such as Eucerin Sun Fluid Photoaging Control SPF 50. Read more about how to care for your skin in the sun in facial sun protection.

Skincare routine

A good skincare routine is an essential part of a holistic approach to treating all signs of aging and caring for maturing skin. A skincare routine should consist of three steps: cleanse, care and sun protection. You can read more about a holistic approach to skin health in factors that influence skin and about how to care for your facial skin in a skincare routine for facial skin.