Article written by Ludovic Rousseau, dermatologist

The natural aging of the skin, called senescence, is a phenomenon that accumulates damage to the skin cells (genetic mutations and degeneration) and to the deep layers containing collagen and elastic fibers. This results in a loss of elasticity of the skin (it regains its initial shape less and less after stretching), wrinkles and then sagging.

What accelerates aging?

There are factors that aggravate and accelerate the natural aging of the skin. Among these we can cite:

• Solar exhibitions. The sun sends rays that are harmful to the skin: the skin aged by the sun is often thicker or thinner depending on the location and causes wrinkles, brown, pinkish and / or white spots, dilation of the vessels … It is therefore very important to protect yourself from the sun if you want to limit skin aging.
• The tobacco. Tobacco smoke is rich in substances harmful to the skin, causing a gray and dull complexion and increasing the retention of sebum in the skin, which is the source of acne. In addition, tobacco tends to thicken and reshape the deep elastic layers of the skin (elastosis).
• Hormonal aging, especially in postmenopausal women: the skin of postmenopausal women becomes thinner, due to hormone deficiency.
• A diet poor in anti-free radicals and essential fatty acids: it is therefore recommended to adopt a Mediterranean-type diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, legumes, starches, fish and to vary the quality of its edible oils (oil rapeseed, grape seed oil, olive oil).