Skin Care
Although there are many sophisticated tests and biochemical measurements that can help physicians assess a patient’s aging rate and true biological rather than chronological age, there is one easy way of determining this yourself. Look in the mirror, or ask a trusted friend “Do I look my age?” The overall impression we give about how young or old we look in comparison to our age in years is determined by several things. Posture, attitude, vitality, muscle tone, grooming, and even dress play a role. But probably the most important determinant of whether you look younger or older than your age is the condition of your skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it gives durable protection to our internal structures. In its normal healthy state it is not dry, wrinkled, furrowed, discolored, mottled, pimpled, lax or loose. Because it contains the protein elastin, youthful skin has the familiar resilient/elastic quality. When elasticity wanes, when the skin is overstretched, or when underlying muscles become smaller, sagging skin (as in jowls and double chins) is the result. Various factors cause the wrinkling that so tellingly shows the aging process. Foremost of these are smoking, excessive sun exposure, hormonal, and nutritional deficiencies. Plenty has been written about the first two factors. I will just say that smokers and sunbathers get prematurely dried out and wrinkled skin. So, if you can’t stop smoking for health reasons, let vanity be your motivation.

Smoking destroys vitamin C in the body, and also produces damaging free radicals which have direct harmful effects on the skin. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production. No collagen, no nice skin. Certain hormonal deficiencies such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, strongly impact the integrity of the skin. When these hormone levels are low, the skin becomes inelastic, sags, and wrinkles prematurely. Internal nutritional factors include ascorbic acid, silica, sulfur, essential fatty acids, adequate water, and the major antioxidants.

Here are some tips for taking care of your skin, and looking younger. Start sooner rather than later. It is easier to prevent aging skin than to reverse it. 

Drink plenty of water, stop smoking, and use sun screen appropriately

Take a good multivitamin plus extra vitamin C. Supplement your diet with healthful oils like evening primrose, fish, cod liver, olive, flax, or coconut oil.

Exfoliate your skin regularly.

See a natural medicine doctor for hormone testing and appropriate natural hormone replacement therapy, especially if you are a menopausal aged woman with vertical furrows developing on her upper lip. This type of “wrinkle.” Is actually a direct sign of estrogen deficiency.

Use hyaluronic acid products orally and topically. This is a collagen precursor.

Your skin is important. Take good care of it.