Aging Skin, Explained: Causes, Ingredients, and Support
Aging skin is a natural part of life and something everyone will experience as the years go by. While this rite of passage is inevitable, there are ways to reduce the impact of accelerated aging on our skin. Embracing all stages of life is important and prioritizing skin health can make the transition less stressful and more beautiful.
What Causes Premature aging?
Skin aging is caused by a combination of factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic causes are predetermined, natural factors like genetics, the slowing of cell regeneration and fluctuating hormones. You may have inherited your mother’s youthful glow (or lack thereof). Or you could be facing hormonal changes like decreased estrogen that affect skin integrity and speed up visible aging. These causes are out of your control for the most part, but that doesn’t mean you can’t mitigate their effects on the skin.
Extrinsic factors are the external influences that have a major impact on the health and appearance of the skin as it ages. They include things like sun exposure, environmental pollution, smoking and a highly processed diet. And then there’s stress, a combination of both. Stemming from thoughts and beliefs to work conditions or moving. Your perception and ability to cope with demands (intrinsic) determine how much stress you feel from external events (extrinsic). For example, a difficult task (extrinsic) can be more stressful if you have perfectionistic thoughts (intrinsic).
It’s no secret that UV radiation from the sun is the primary environmental factor for premature aging, breaking down collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles, sunspots and an uneven texture. Air pollution and blue light from devices can contribute to skin aging by causing oxidative damage and inflammation, as can diets high in sugar, processed foods or alcohol. And, as if you needed another reason to quit, smoking can generate free radicals which are highly reactive molecules that cause oxidative damage to the body's cells, accelerating the aging process.
But wait, there’s more! Believe it or not, facial expressions can lead to skin aging. Repeated facial movements like squinting, smiling and frowning create tiny grooves under the epidermis that become permanent wrinkles as skin loses its flexibility. In other words, your poker face might keep you young. On the other hand, smile lines are the sign of a happy life and we think they’re beautiful butterfly wings that are earned.
How To Slow premature Aging
Time is going to pass and we can’t do anything about that, but there are both lifestyle and skin care habits that can pump the brakes on things. External factors like sun protection, nourishing foods, hydration, regular exercise, stress management and getting enough sleep are all somewhat within our control. We may indulge in the odd cocktail or skip a day at the gym, but these are choices we make and being consistent (while still enjoying life) can go a long way toward slowing down the effects of these lifestyle choices.
Skin care is a big part of how the look and feel of skin progress through the years as our skin is our bodies largest organ. There are no miracle cures for skin aging but there are definitely some skin care ingredients that have been shown to improve the look of the complexion and lessen the effects of time passing. Having a partnership with how we support and protect our skin topically with how we’re caring for our bodies internally is the recipe for beautiful, youthful skin.
Best Ingredients for Aging Skin
Whether you’ve inherited your parents’ jowls, you’ve been skipping the SPF or laughing your head off, your aging skin is part of life. And while science has yet to come up with a product or treatment that can completely reverse the signs of aging, we’ve highlighted some ingredients that are known to help improve the look of skin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant known to neutralize free radicals caused by environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution. Abundant in fresh produce like blueberries, strawberries, citrus fruits and leafy greens, this potent powerhouse is known for its ability to deliver a brighter complexion, even out skin tone, support the skin’s barrier function and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C is an incredibly effective nutrient for your body and an all-around savior for skin care. It’s been found to help prevent UV damage, reduce pigmentation, reduce inflammation and boost collagen production in skin. And since our bodies cannot produce it and don’t store any excess, we can only receive the benefits by ingesting it or applying it topically.
I love the combination of our Youth Serum with 20% Stay C 50 (Vitamin C) and Clarifying PH Toner. A uniquely stabilized, bioavailable form of Vitamin C that lasts up to 72 hours and preferred for sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
As we age, skin naturally loses moisture and elasticity. One of the best solutions to this problem is the naturally occurring water-binding molecule hyaluronic acid known for its capacity to retain moisture, this powerful humectant absorbs water like a sponge, helping to restore a plump, supple appearance. Nature’s water magnet is considered one of the best ingredients for crepey skin.
Once again the Youth Serum is a hydration powerhouse. It features both Vitamin C and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex, plus MSM, and Vitamin E to deeply hydrate for visibly smoother, softer skin. It also contains polyphenols that help rejuvenate the appearance of an aging complexion. The Q10 Cream is another powerhouse containing Hyaluronic Acid, Ubiquinone (CoQ10) and Japanese Honeysuckle, packed with antioxidants to fight free radicals, improve skin tone, and reduce the signs of aging.
Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin which are all vital for firm, healthy-looking skin. When collagen naturally breaks down with age, peptides send signals that prompt the skin to produce more of it, helping to improve elasticity and smooth the look of fine lines. In skin care, certain peptides (like signalling and neuropeptides) support firmness while helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by communicating directly with the body’s own processes.
To experience these benefits, try the Antioxidant Cream, which uses peptides, orange peel extract as a natural brightener that reduces pigmentation, and antioxidants such as A, C, and E to combat premature aging. Or Tripeptide Eye Gel, containing and three types of Peptides strengthening the skin barrier, reducing wrinkles, increasing elasticity, and improving overall skin clarity.
PRODUCT PICKS
Vitamin C - Youth Serum, Clarifying PH Toner, Antioxidant Cream, Tree Cleansing Gel
Product Picks for Hyaluronic Acid - Youth Serum, Clarifying PH Toner, Oxygen Berry Mask, Tripeptide Eye Gel
Product Picks for Peptides - Refining Glycolic Serum, Tripeptide Eye Gel, Q10 Cream, Antioxidant Cream
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is another powerhouse ingredient for aging skin. Well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and oily, it can be used once or twice daily in a serum or moisturizer. Niacinamide helps to strengthen the skin's barrier, calm the look of irritation, even out skin tone and minimize the appearance of pores and dark spots. It also pairs well with many ingredients, including vitamin C, and glycolic acid. To experience these benefits, try the Refining Glycolic Serum, which uses Niacinamide, antioxidants and algae extracts to minimize the look of pores and target uneven texture to maintain luminous skin.
Adaptogenic Ingredients
Incorporating adaptogenic ingredients into your routine can help reduce visible signs of aging and protect skin from environmental stressors like sun exposure, air pollution and smoking that can influence the way that genes express themselves, affecting everything from collagen production to the skin’s ability to repair.
To counteract these effects, incorporate adaptogenic ingredients into your skincare routine. Adaptogens are natural active compounds found in some botanicals and fungi that help the body better respond to stress, support skin resilience and defend against oxidative damage. These ingredients strengthen the skin barrier and minimize visible signs of aging by reducing inflammation and replenishing moisture.
Some of the adaptogenic ingredients found in veologē products include:
Licorice Root: Rich in polysaccharides, this deeply hydrating ingredient helps support the skin’s moisture barrier and reduces the visible effects of photodamage, a key factor in premature aging.
Reishi Mushroom: Packed with antioxidants and polysaccharides, reishi helps rejuvenate skin, protect against oxidative stress and soothe the look of irritation. It also supports fibroblasts, the cells responsible for maintaining structure and resilience as skin ages.
Gotu Kola: Known for its adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Gotu Kola helps the skin build resilience, allowing it to better cope with stressors (like pollution, UV damage) and return to a balanced, healthy state, making it ideal for long-term skin health. It also helps neutralize free radicals that affect gene expression and contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin.
Spirulina: An adaptogen-rich ingredient that helps minimize transepidermal water loss while improving hydration and elasticity. It also supports the skin’s resilience against daily external stressors that contribute to visible signs of aging.
Tamanu: Although Tamanu isn’t a traditional adaptogen, it’s considered an aptogenic ingredient in skincare because it helps adapt and rebalance. Providing antioxidant protection, Tamanu helps calm irritation, preserve collagen and reduce inflammation in skin exposed to external stressors like UV and pollution. If unaddressed, these stressors can accelerate loss of elasticity and wrinkle formation.
Sea Buckthorn - helps the skin adapt by supporting its natural functions and resilience against stress (environmental, aging, damage) by providing essential nutrients, rebuilding its protective layers, and calming inflammatory responses. Sea Buckthorn is helpful in pre and post menopausal skin as lower estrogen during menopause reduces skin's moisture and elasticity, leading to dryness, thinning, and wrinkles; sea buckthorn provides essential fatty acids (like Omega-7) and nutrients to nourish tissues and support skin's natural barrier.
PRODUCT PICKS
Reishi Mushroom: Enzyme Exfoliator
Gotu Kola: Tree Cleansing Gel, Enzyme Exfoliator, Sea Mineral Mask, Tripeptide Eye Gel
Tamanu - Clarifying Toner, Cold-Pressed Cleansing Oil, Antioxidant Cream, Enzyme Exfoliator, Oxygen Berry Mask
Spirulina - Oxygen Berry Mask, Enzyme Exfoliator
Sea Buckthorn - Cold-Pressed Cleansing Oil, Antioxidant Cream, Oxygen Berry,Enzyme Exfoliator, Tripeptide Eye Gel, Youth Serum
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
These acids are derived from things like sugar cane, milk and certain fruits, are effective allies in the treatment of aging skin. AHA’s dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed and reveal fresher, healthier-looking skin underneath. By removing dead cells, AHAs reveal smoother, tighter skin, improving overall texture, reducing dullness and fading the look of dark spots or discoloration. Another bonus of removing dead skin cells is better product absorption. With a smoother surface, other beneficial skin care products can penetrate the skin more effectively.
Sunscreen
Perhaps the most simple and meaningful ingredient for aging skin is sunscreen. Rain or shine, applying SPF in the morning (and reapplying throughout the day as needed) is at the top of the list on non-negotiables. It protects from harmful UVA rays which cause skin damage that leads to wrinkles, sagging, age spots and more.
While sunscreen on its own is the hack for slowing down skin aging, some veologē products contain other ingredients that help improve the look of aging skin. The Youth Serum and Antioxidant Cream contains vitamin C and adaptogens. And Clarifying PH Toner addresses the appearance of dark spots with carrot seed and Noni Extract.
PRODUCT PICKS
Glycolic - Oxygen Berry Mask, Clarifying PH Toner, Refining Glycolic Serum, Enzyme Exfoliator, Q10
Lactic - Q10, Antioxidant Cream, Refining Glycolic Serum, Tripeptide Eye Gel
Malic Acid - Refining Glycolic Serum