The skin is an organ, and the effects of aging affect the skin like any other organ, except the results are more visible. As the skin loses collagen and elastin, the skin can lose its tensile strength and result in wrinkles and fine lines. The constant effect of gravity over decades also results in various wrinkles as the skin weakens.

There are two types of aging, when it comes to the skin: Natural or chronological aging and photoaging. Natural aging is determined by actual age and genetics largely determine how the skin ages over time. However, accumulated sun damage over the years results in premature skin aging, which is often confused with natural aging. Depending on sun habits, a person’s skin may appear as much as 10 years younger or older than their chronological age. Following good sun protection habits can make a large difference in the overall appearance and function of the skin. Some good habits include:

• Avoid direct sun exposure when the sun is brightest from 10AM to 2PM.
• Wear long sleeve clothing to expose less skin and stay in the shade.
• Use broad spectrum sunscreens on a daily basis to keep your skin protected.

The skin needs the same essentials regardless of age: Cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection–however, the products that worked well in a person’s thirties may not work as well in a person’s forties. This is because a person’s skin typically becomes drier with age. The changes can be especially drastic for women during menopause as hormone level changes have an impact on the skin. Some products specialize in treating mature skin.