Anti Aging Natural Skin Care for Wrinkles

Almost everybody shudders at the thought of getting older and developing wrinkles, and it is possible to slow down their appearance, even though there is very little that can be done to completely get rid of them.

What Causes Wrinkles

As we get older, two of the most important components of the skin, elastin and collagen, begin to break down and skin becomes less elastic. Its whole structure starts to fall apart and it loses its springiness. New cells are produced more slowly and as a result, fat cells and sebaceous glands start to wither. The skin turns dry and there is nothing to hold it up -- it begins to sag and wrinkles appear.

Factors other than aging also play a part in the appearance of wrinkles. In particular, smoking and exposure to air pollution, as well as regular laughing and frowning, and exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles. Unlike age, it is possible to control these environmental factors, although some may seem drastic, so it is possible to slow the development of wrinkles. Age, on the other hand, cannot be slowed down and is totally out of your control.

Cigarette smoke releases oxidants, which are very unstable particles that can lead to serious cell damage and wrinkling. Oxidants also slow down the production of elastin and collagen. Oxidants are also referred to as "free radicals" and you may have heard this term before. To protect your skin from these free radicals, stop smoking and eat a good diet. Smoking brings on aging and wrinkles by limiting blood supply to the epidermis, so skin is not fully nourished.

You can certainly protect yourself from the effects of wrinkling and aging by avoiding the sun, whose rays can go straight through unprotected skin and cause permanent damage. It is thought that UV rays given off by the sun can also produce oxidants.

Smoking repeatedly contracts and relaxes the muscles around the mouth, stretching the skin, thereby accelerating the onset of wrinkles. However, the repetitive muscle movements associated with smiling and frowning can also cause the same thing. Finally, air pollution deprives the skin of the essential Vitamin E, which is a crucial antioxidant.

Caring for Aging Skin

As with all skin care regimes, keep the skin clean. This will be far more effective than spending your hard earned cash on expensive anti-wrinkles creams. Avoid things such as strong soaps, which remove oil from the skin and cause the skin to become dry, and products that contain dyes and scents that will agitate your skin. Do any cleaning gently, particularly when removing makeup. You will have made a huge difference on your skin for spending almost nothing.

However unpreventable the development of aging and wrinkles may be, it is easy to take care of your skin by following the simple tips given here, and before long you will start to look younger!