Aging Theories - Five Causes of Aging and How to Fight Them

When it comes to aging, we’re proud of our lab’s work on finding and combining revolutionary ingredients into potent anti-aging formulas. Nevertheless, we believe prevention should precede the cure, so we want to help you understand what causes your skin to age and how you can address it early on.

Ready to look as young as your spirit feels? Read below to learn more about five of the most well researched theories of aging and how you can mitigate their effect to prevent and delay the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, spots and other markers of aging.

1. Oxidative Stress and the Free Radicals Theory of Aging

Without a source of oxygen, cells can’t live or renew. That is why you often hear about the importance of oxygenation.

But metabolizing oxygen is also what leads to cell decay, in a process called oxidation that leads to the creation of free radicals. That is why anti-aging cosmetics put such a strong emphasis on antioxidant ingredients.

Free Radicals are unstable molecules that are liberated as a cell decays. Normally your skin has the capacity to eliminate free radicals before they can accumulate and cause instability, affecting cell renewal. But with time, the body’s natural mechanism to fight free radicals diminishes. This is accelerated by factors like pollution, a poor diet, or excessive sun exposure.

As the skin’s ability to renew cells is affected, wrinkles start appearing and deepening. Free radicals also affect collagen and elastin production, causing the skin to become saggy.

Protect your skin from free radicals with the Black Baccara Dynamic Protection Booster. Its Smart SKINutrients including Retinol-like Bakuchiol, Vitamin E-like Chromanol, Bioactive Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10 are delivered in a cutting-edge, time-release delivery system to supercharge skin’s natural defense and neutralize free radicals before they cause damage.

2. Photoaging Theory

Studies show that exposure to UV rays may account for up to 80% of skin aging. Over-exposure without proper protection leads to an alteration of the skin’s structure, down to DNA levels. And the sun is not the only one that can cause photoaging - artificial sources of light also contribute to it. This is especially the case for blue light emitting devices that we tend to have quite close to our faces for long periods of time. Yes, we mean your computer and your smartphone.

Photoaging usually shows on the skin as visible spider veins, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, and, of course, the dreaded wrinkles.

To prevent the effect of photoaging caused by blue light and infrared radiation use the Glacial White Caviar Precious Cream and Precious Eye Cream. They both contain Marine Bamboo, a biological photo-protector. This ingredient extracted from brown seaweed protects against collagen destruction and maintains fibroblast activity by inhibiting MMP-1 and reducing the damage caused by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). It also promotes collagen and elastin synthesis in aging cells.

3. Thermal Aging Theory

The thermal aging theory is also connected to sun exposure, but also more generally to heat. Elevated temperatures can accelerate oxidative processes and cells’ lifespans. As no cell can divide and renew infinitely, you might have to consider keeping your cool quite literally when it comes to aging.

Thermal aging can lead to the forming of deep wrinkles, especially in areas where the skin is thinner - around the eyes and mouth.

Keep protection from thermal aging always at hand with the Glacial White Caviar Treatment Mist. Spray it on your face to cool and calm the skin with its formula including Thermal Water and Encapsulated Swiss Glacial Water. These sources of continuous hydration join forces with a combination of powerful active ingredients to help restore skin’s moisture barrier and metabolism.

4. Toxic Waste Accumulation Theory

We’ve already established that cell decay is a normal and necessary process and also that eventually, all cells reach a stage when they can no longer divide. But where do cells go when they die? They are normally eliminated as toxic waste, to make room for new cells. But when too many cells go through oxidation at the same time, the flushing mechanism is disrupted and the toxic waste begins to accumulate affecting the development of new cells.

The first signs of toxic waste accumulation is skin that is puffy and dull. As it builds up, it can eventually lead to deepening wrinkles as the cell renewal activity is increasingly impaired.

The A-Helix Advanced Renewal Overnight Mask is rich in a Cell-Detox Booster that reinforces cell detoxification, helping eliminate accumulated toxins and improving the radiance of intoxicated skin. By also incorporating Vitamin A, C, E and Dragon’s Blood extract - all powerful antioxidants - it helps prevent a buildup of toxins to efficiently prevent aging caused by toxic waste accumulation.

5. Inflammaging Theory

One of the more recently formulated theories of aging, inflamagging argues that chronic inflammation affects our bodies down to the stem cells. In the skin this causes a weakening of the structure, causing a breakdown of elastin and collagen which ultimately affects the skin’s barrier, leaving it more exposed to all other aging theories.

Inflammaging is studied for its role in causing tissue damage everywhere in the body and based on what we know so far it’s difficult to treat once it’s become present. The key to fighting this ageing theory really is prevention!

Keep the aging effects of inflammation away from your skin with the Glacial White Caviar Recovery Serum, boasting 3 potent anti-inflammatory ingredients. The Prebiotic Hexapeptide in the serum’s formula reduces neurogenic inflammation, helping to restore the damaged cutaneous barrier function with the added benefit of protection from external aggressors. The serum is also formulated with Organic Baobab Oil - with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and repairing action - and botanical extracts (Organic Edelweiss Flower and Cotton) that protects against multiple causes of inflammation, including UV rays and accelerated oxidative stress.

Lifestyle is key in fighting the theories of aging

It shouldn’t come as a surprise but prevention is a rule of thumb when it comes to all theories of aging.

An important factor, and one that is totally under your control, is your lifestyle. Make sure you are eating a good diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Stay hydrated and develop an exercise habit. Its benefits will go beyond a toned body - sweating is an important part of eliminating toxins. Don’t forget about rest either - sleep is essential for all cell regenerative processes.

Knowledge is the first step to feeling in control, so we hope that better understanding aging theories will make you feel empowered about how to protect your skin from their effects!