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1. THE SUN
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, more
than 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed
to skin aging are caused by the sun. Chronic
exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays—both UVA and
UVB—breaks down collagen fi bers and elastin (vital
to the skin’s supple appearance) and interferes with
the body’s immune and repair systems. It also contributes
to the formation of free radicals (unstable oxygen
molecules that attack healthy cells and permanently
damage our DNA), leading to premature skin
aging and, in some cases, cancer.
2. YOUR HORMONES
“From the teenage-blemish phase to aging skin, the
ebb and fl ow of hormones has a key effect on the
way we look,” shares board-certifi ed obstetrician
and gynecologist Rebecca Booth.
For instance, during puberty, our bodies start ramping
up production of sex hormones estrogen and
androgen, which results in excess oil and enlarged
pores—the infamous birthplace of teenage acne.
Meanwhile, fl uctuating hormones during pregnancy
can cause acne, dark spots, spider veins and various
skin rashes to appear. As one approaches the
menopause stage, when estrogen starts to decline,
you’ll notice that your skin becomes dry, less elastic
and more prone to acne and hyperpigmentation.
Aside from estrogen, other hormones are at play.
When your body senses a threat, it releases cortisol,
epinephrine and other stress hormones. This process
causes your muscles to tense up, heart rate and
blood pressure to spike and digestive and immune
systems to slow down, making you more vulnerable
to free radical damage and toxin buildup. In other
words: cellulite, breakouts and a sallow complexion.
3. LIFESTYLE AND DIET
While it hasn’t been proven that certain food like
nuts, potato chips and pizza can trigger acne breakouts,
there is some solid evidence that your diet has
a direct impact on your skin. For instance, sweets
and refi ned carbs like white bread and pasta can
cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and accelerate
your skin’s aging process. New York-based dermatologist
Whitney Bowe explains: “Glycation is when
sugar binds to other molecules in your body, such as
protein and lipids. These sugar by-products do two
things: They stop your cells from functioning properly,
and then they create free radicals, which further
damages your cells.”
Moreover, processed foods that are high in sugars,
also known as high-glycemic foods, can trigger
acne. “High-glycemic foods contribute to acne by
elevating serum insulin concentrations,” shares Dr.
Ashley Magovern. “This ramps up oil production and
triggers infl ammation. “Dairy foods have also been
shown to be a trigger.”
Even wines and other alcoholic beverages make you
vulnerable to glycation. “Alcohol causes the blood
vessels to swell, and the high levels of sugar found in alcohol can lead to glycation, which has been
proven to hinder collagen fi bers from regenerating,”
confi rms Dr. Goldfaden. Likewise, cigarette smoking
plays a major part in the formation of wrinkles.
Studies of identical twins have found smokers to have
thinner skin (in some cases by as much as 40 percent),
more severe wrinkles and more gray hair than
their nonsmoking twins.
4. SKIN CARE CHOICES
Your skin care routine can make or break your skin.
The wrong products—those laden with harsh chemicals
or that don’t match your skin type—are not only
a waste of hard-earned money, they can also make
existing skin conditions worse. But the right formulas
for your skin—applied in the proper
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, more
than 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed
to skin aging are caused by the sun. Chronic
exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays—both UVA and
UVB—breaks down collagen fi bers and elastin (vital
to the skin’s supple appearance) and interferes with
the body’s immune and repair systems. It also contributes
to the formation of free radicals (unstable oxygen
molecules that attack healthy cells and permanently
damage our DNA), leading to premature skin
aging and, in some cases, cancer.
2. YOUR HORMONES
“From the teenage-blemish phase to aging skin, the
ebb and fl ow of hormones has a key effect on the
way we look,” shares board-certifi ed obstetrician
and gynecologist Rebecca Booth.
For instance, during puberty, our bodies start ramping
up production of sex hormones estrogen and
androgen, which results in excess oil and enlarged
pores—the infamous birthplace of teenage acne.
Meanwhile, fl uctuating hormones during pregnancy
can cause acne, dark spots, spider veins and various
skin rashes to appear. As one approaches the
menopause stage, when estrogen starts to decline,
you’ll notice that your skin becomes dry, less elastic
and more prone to acne and hyperpigmentation.
Aside from estrogen, other hormones are at play.
When your body senses a threat, it releases cortisol,
epinephrine and other stress hormones. This process
causes your muscles to tense up, heart rate and
blood pressure to spike and digestive and immune
systems to slow down, making you more vulnerable
to free radical damage and toxin buildup. In other
words: cellulite, breakouts and a sallow complexion.
3. LIFESTYLE AND DIET
While it hasn’t been proven that certain food like
nuts, potato chips and pizza can trigger acne breakouts,
there is some solid evidence that your diet has
a direct impact on your skin. For instance, sweets
and refi ned carbs like white bread and pasta can
cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and accelerate
your skin’s aging process. New York-based dermatologist
Whitney Bowe explains: “Glycation is when
sugar binds to other molecules in your body, such as
protein and lipids. These sugar by-products do two
things: They stop your cells from functioning properly,
and then they create free radicals, which further
damages your cells.”
Moreover, processed foods that are high in sugars,
also known as high-glycemic foods, can trigger
acne. “High-glycemic foods contribute to acne by
elevating serum insulin concentrations,” shares Dr.
Ashley Magovern. “This ramps up oil production and
triggers infl ammation. “Dairy foods have also been
shown to be a trigger.”
Even wines and other alcoholic beverages make you
vulnerable to glycation. “Alcohol causes the blood
vessels to swell, and the high levels of sugar found in alcohol can lead to glycation, which has been
proven to hinder collagen fi bers from regenerating,”
confi rms Dr. Goldfaden. Likewise, cigarette smoking
plays a major part in the formation of wrinkles.
Studies of identical twins have found smokers to have
thinner skin (in some cases by as much as 40 percent),
more severe wrinkles and more gray hair than
their nonsmoking twins.
4. SKIN CARE CHOICES
Your skin care routine can make or break your skin.
The wrong products—those laden with harsh chemicals
or that don’t match your skin type—are not only
a waste of hard-earned money, they can also make
existing skin conditions worse. But the right formulas
for your skin—applied in the proper