We all avoid the O word. While we appreciate that we have the time to I get old, looking old is a different story. But do we look old while still young? Fearful. It’s almost like we notice age spots and fine lines overnight, and until then it’s an uphill battle to slow them down.
Instead of making “age” a dirty word, let’s learn to watch for signs early aging. That way we can deal with issues as they arise, especially if it’s still early enough to do anything about them.
Aging: Is It Normal or Premature?
We don’t all live the same life, so of course our aging will not follow the same schedule.
So how do we know if we are experiencing premature aging? At the cellular level, it’s when our skin is bigger than us! It is hard to imagine that it is possible, so let’s compare the use of fruit. A bunch of bananas picked on the same day will ripen differently if one bunch is left out in the sun while the other is stored indoors in a cool, dark place.
It turns out that our skin is not so different from bananas. Our lifestyle, our habits and the way we take care of our skin determine how much of its youth we retain or how mature our skin cells become. But physically, what does premature aging skin look like?
7 signs of premature aging
Taking a look at our skin, we may not immediately notice signs of aging. Some of these are more subtle, while others could be obvious.
As we grow older, some of these changes are natural or expected. others are things we hope to prevent, regardless of our current age. We should see our skin as a photo album that shows what life we have lived and what lifestyle we lead. Here are 7 signs to look for that indicate premature skin aging:
Dull skin
One of the first signs of premature aging is the loss of that natural glow in the skin. If our skin is not healthy, it will not look radiant. It may appear pale, flat or shadowy.
Dry skin
Once our skin becomes dull, we may notice a change in skin types. Where we may have had normal or even oily skin, suddenly our skin can become tight, dry and thirsty.
Age spots
Skin can show age spots quite early, especially with too much sun exposure or lack of proper sun protection. We’ll start to really notice them as we age, causing skin discoloration that persists and doesn’t seem to diminish with targeted products.
Visible resources
As our skin slowly becomes more unbalanced, we may start to notice our pores more. They may even begin to enlarge as the lack of balance and nourishment in our skin begins to develop.
Wild skin
With dryness and enlarged pores often comes textured skin. Instead of smooth skin, we will just notice small bumps, peeling and enlarged pores.
Uneven skin tone
Dryness, roughness and texture often lead to flaky skin, poor skin hygiene or uneven skin tone. In addition to breakouts, spots and tonal issues tend to become more prevalent.
Fine lines & wrinkles
These are the most common (and most notorious) signs of aging. By the time we see fine lines growing around our eyes, forehead and mouth, most of the other signs of premature aging have already begun. A specialized skin care routine can address many of the problems faced by aging skin types.
3 Causes of premature aging of the skin
Wait, how did we get here? Premature skin aging can seem to happen overnight. As we mentioned earlier, it’s our lifestyle and daily habits that can determine how our skin feels and looks. The skin is our largest organ and deserves perhaps the most support, yet we often neglect it or take it for granted.
exposure to the sun is one of the main causes of premature aging. While we all love the bronzed glow and irresistible summer tan, we are well aware of the dangers. Unfortunately, the sun is simply too strong to maintain a consistent tan – whether via beach or tanning bed. Because this type of severe UV exposure can not only accelerate cell aging, but cause skin damage, we really can’t recommend staying away from it enough.
Pollution it plays a huge role in how our skin ages. In addition to being linked to conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and even acne, toxins in our environment can not only cause premature skin aging but also skin cancer.
Most of the pollution in our environment is out of our control, but for some of us, we have chosen our own poison. Cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke are terrible for the skin and can actually speed up the natural aging process of our skin cells. These types of impurities often cause weak features, exaggerated skin lines, dull skin and significant discoloration.
A final major contributor to premature aging is lifestyle and genetics. Of course, we are predisposed to certain skin conditions and skin behaviors. And while we can influence our skin with a healthy lifestyle, it only goes so far.
What makes it more difficult is that most of us struggle to maintain a “perfect” lifestyle: staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, maintaining a low-sugar, balanced diet, and taking good care of our skin. It really is a full time job.
These lifestyle components combined mean that even without effort, we already have to play with our skin if we want to reduce the risk of premature aging.
4 Treatments for Premature Aging
While there is no way to permanently stop aging, we can slow it down and even reverse it a bit using nature and science.
For the eyes: Multivitamins + Antioxidants PM Eye Treatment
They say the eyes and hands are the first to show age, so we’re putting the spotlight on this award-winning eye oil.
This formula is strong enough to reduce puffiness, discoloration and fine lines, yet gentle enough to not irritate the eyes. Jojoba, vitamin C, and green tea oils all contain antioxidants that can improve the appearance of premature skin aging.
For dry skin and fine lines: Green Tea EGCG Concentrate Serum
Talk about a wow moment. Loaded with antioxidant-rich green tea and acai, this serum is called concentrate for some reason. These active ingredients penetrate the skin to enhance elasticity and firmness. Super fruit extracts and moisturizing rose provide long-lasting hydration that won’t look shiny or greasy.
For pores and textured skin: Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm
Sometimes, the best skin treatments come with the simplest formulas—and boy does this balm pack a punch. Revitalizing retinol and fatty acids from sunflower and olive oil restore elasticity and bounce to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Restorative Vitamin E helps improve skin tone for deep hydration, radiance and improved complexion overnight.
For age spots: Multivitamins + Antioxidants Powerful PM serum
When we say this does it all, we’re not exaggerating. Superstar niacinamide reverses UV damage, reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and improves texture. Then there’s vitamin C to boost firmness and shine. Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and Rosehip Oil combine with the powerful powers of Retinol and Vitamin E… let’s just say the signs of premature aging WILL be tackled.
Frequently Asked Questions about the signs of aging
What are the most common signs of premature aging?
The most common signs of premature aging include fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth, uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation, dry or dehydrated skin, loss of skin elasticity, dull skin, visible pores and thinning of the skin.
How do fine lines and wrinkles indicate premature aging?
Fine lines and wrinkles are among the first signs of premature aging. They often appear due to reduced collagen and elastin in the skin, which can be accelerated by factors such as sun exposure, smoking and poor diet.
Can lifestyle choices affect the onset of premature aging?
Absolutely. Lifestyle choices play an important role in premature aging. Unprotected sun exposure, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of sleep and high levels of stress can all contribute to early signs of aging.
What role does sun exposure play in premature aging?
Sun exposure is a major culprit in premature aging. UV rays can break down collagen and elastin fibers, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and changes in skin texture and color. Daily use of sunscreen, even on cloudy days, is vital to preventing these effects.
How does smoking contribute to premature aging?
Smoking accelerates the skin’s aging process by blocking blood flow, which deprives the skin of essential nutrients and oxygen. It also destroys collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles, especially around the mouth and eyes.
