As we get older the processes in our body do not work as efficiently as they once did. This is a sad fact of life and it is inevitable. Only in the movies do we see stories of people who get younger as they grow older (Benjamin Button). Our skin is one of the first places that we see the ravages of time. It stands to reason; we look at ourselves in the mirror every day. We definitely don’t look at the atherosclerosis inside our coronary arteries every day.

Wrinkles are caused by many different factors and excessive exposure to some can make you age prematurely. So it important understand the factors involved in skin aging so that you can (a) prevent them if possible and (b) if you know the cause of your wrinkles and the effect it has on your body then you can use that information to find a product that best suits your needs.

1. Lack of Moisture

As you age your skin becomes less able to hold onto enough water. There are two reasons for this: there is decreased turnover of the cells on the outside of your skin. They therefore stay attached to your skin for longer and have more time to dry out. These cells are called keratin cells. The second reason that your skin becomes drier as you age is because there is decreased hyaluronic acid which is a molecule found in the deeper layer of skin that binds to water molecules.

So a good moisturizer will help to combat wrinkles especially one that contains Phytessence Wakame. Phytessence Wakame is a variety of kelp commonly found in the Japanese sea. It is rich in many vitamins and minerals but it main action is to inhibit the activity of the enzyme hyaluronidase. This enzyme acts to breakdown hyaluronic acid. So if less hyaluronic acid is broken down your skin will be able to remain more water and look younger, smoother and more toned.

2. UV Radiation

Sunlight contains two different kinds of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB. Both types cause increase in free radical formation. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that form as a result of combination with oxygen. Free radicals cause damage to cellular structures like the cell membrane and cellular DNA.

Prevention of excessive exposure to sunlight will decrease the effects of UV radiation but if you already have suffered skin damage from the sun then you need an antiwrinkle skin cream that contain high concentrations of anti oxidants that can be absorbed through the skin.

3. Smoking

Smoking breaks down collagen which is one of the most important structural proteins of your skin. As we age collagen production in our skin decreases naturally and the collagen fibres become more disorganized. Smoking speeds up the aging processes in our skin leading to more lines, wrinkles and loss of skin tone.

So the first piece of advice is stop smoking. If you want to increase the amount of collagen in your skin don’t buy one of those expensive anti wrinkle creams that advertise collagen as one of its ingredients. The collagen molecule is extremely big. In fact it is too big to be directly absorbed through your skin. Collagen used topically just sits on the surface of your skin only to be washed away next time you shower.

Skin collagen production can be increased by a compound called Ascorbyl Palmitate. This is a synthetic form of Vitamin C which is more readily absorbed through the skin. Ascorbyl Palmitate also has anti oxidant activity.

4. Pollution

Another cause of free radical formation is pollution. Exhaust fumes from cars, industrial pollutants and others environmental toxins are unavoidable in the modern world of today. Try to decrease your exposure to these free radical causing toxins but unless we can clean up our environment in a real hurry that’s not going to be a realistic strategy.

Anti wrinkle skin creams with high concentrations of effective antioxidants are the solution here as well.

5. Genetics

The rate at which your body ages is hereditary. This includes the rate of skin aging. Unfortunately we are unable to change our genetic factors but we certainly can influence the environmental factors discussed about.

To reduce the signs of aging on your skin you need to find a good quality anti wrinkle cream containing the right ingredients.