Mistakes that speed up skin ageing

Ah yes, skin ageing… Some people are terrified of it, others couldn't care less. Neither attitude is ideal if you want to keep your skin healthy.

The fact is, ageing is inevitable. But what we do can still influence it – we can slow it down or speed it up.

Ageing is divided into intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic ageing is an unavoidable physiological process driven mainly by genetics – so there isn't much we can do about it. It results in thin, dry skin, fine lines and gradual thinning of the dermis.

Extrinsic ageing, on the other hand, is caused by lifestyle and environmental factors such as air pollution, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, a poor diet and sun exposure. This is the part we can influence. It leads to deep wrinkles, loss of elasticity, sagging and a rough skin texture. The worst of these external factors is long-term exposure to UV radiation, which causes photoageing.

Why exactly does this happen?

Environmental factors age the skin through a complex cascade of reactions triggered by reactive oxygen species (ROS). These cause oxidative damage to cell components. Damaged skin cells then set off inflammatory responses that lead to further damage, and all of this adds up to skin ageing.

Ageing happens in every layer of the skin, mainly because its components break down. It is the result of DNA damage in the nuclei and mitochondria, inflammation, glycation, reduced activity of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and the breakdown of heparan sulphate, hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. It leads to phenotypic changes in skin cells and to structural and functional changes in the components of the extracellular matrix, such as collagen, elastin and proteoglycans. These components are responsible for the skin's elasticity and hydration, which is why both decline with age.

MISTAKES THAT MAY BE SPEEDING UP YOUR SKIN AGEING WITHOUT YOU REALISING:

1. Going out in the sun without sunscreen

UV rays cause photoageing, inflammation and the breakdown of collagen. UVA rays also pass through clouds and windows, so you need sunscreen all year round – even indoors if you spend time near windows.

2. A poor diet with too much sugar

Sugary food raises sugar levels in your blood and skin. As a result, the skin is less able to maintain and repair collagen and elastin – the proteins that keep it elastic and youthful. In other words: too much sugar = faster skin ageing.

3. Drinking alcohol

Alcohol increases the risk of sunburn, because it lowers the level of antioxidants in the skin that would otherwise protect it from free radicals caused by UV radiation.

4. Smoking

Smoking generates free radicals, makes UV rays more phototoxic, reduces collagen production and restricts blood flow to the tissues. It also increases the activity of enzymes that break down collagen, elastin and other components of the skin.

5. Not moving enough

Regular exercise boosts blood flow to the skin, which benefits skin cells and helps keep the skin looking younger.

6. Not getting enough sleep

Yes, beauty sleep is backed by science. Lack of sleep can slow the renewal of the outer layer of skin, leaving it dull and dehydrated. It also causes inflammation and reduces collagen and skin elasticity, which can lead to breakouts and fine lines.

7. Not looking after your skin properly

Skin that lacks moisture wrinkles faster and is less resilient to external factors. To boost moisture, we recommend the Honey & Propolis Face Cream.

With age, the skin's collagen levels fall – collagen is the protein that keeps skin firm and smooth. You can stimulate collagen production with a bee venom cream.

Add a moisturising cream and a bee venom cream to your routine for smooth, glowing skin.

8. Sleeping on your side or stomach

This causes “sleep lines”, which form when the skin is creased and squashed during the night. The best position for avoiding them is sleeping on your back. A silk pillowcase also helps reduce friction and creasing.

9. Not washing your face morning and night

Your skin produces sweat, toxins and sebum, and dirt builds up on it. It's important to wash your face every morning and evening – it's the only way to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.

10. Too much coffee

Coffee is great, but don't overdo it. It's high in caffeine, which reduces skin hydration and makes it drier. Try swapping some coffee for tea or water.

11. “Natural” cosmetics that aren't really natural

Even products labelled as natural often contain unwanted ingredients that can damage the skin and contribute to ageing. Choose good-quality natural cosmetics with a well-formulated ingredient list that genuinely helps your skin. Discover our natural skincare products and support your skin with effective, natural care.

12. Using poor-quality cosmetics

Products with poor ingredients speed up skin ageing. Creams with harsh chemicals can damage the skin, causing inflammation and loss of elasticity. Choose creams with nourishing ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, hyaluronic acid and collagen.