This decreases more and more, the older we get, leading to the onset of lines and wrinkles. However, according to the British Journal of Dermatology, using good moisturiser will help wrinkles develop at a much slower rate than if we were to leave our skin dry and unmoisturised.
Myth #4: Moisturizing prevents wrinkles from forming
Fact: Giving some love to your skin through moisture is a must, but it's not going to necessarily prevent wrinkles from forming. However, it may make them a little less noticeable. Moisturizer, along with sunscreen, is one of the most critical skincare products.
Aesthetic dermatologists have observed that habitual, daily moisturising over a prolonged period can actually age the skin. This induced ageing occurs because the same fibroblast cells which produce GAGs (the skin's moisturiser) also produce collagen and elastin, which help maintain the skin's elasticity.
Moisturizers aren't magical, and they can't erase wrinkles, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. But the dermatologists of the AAD say that daily moisturizing traps water in the skin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and make your skin look brighter and more youthful overall.
The truth behind the myth. A widely accepted myth is that dry skin causes wrinkles. The reality is that dry skin only gives off the appearance of more wrinkles compared to oily skin. Natural oils or sebum in oil-prone skin help keep skin hydrated making skin appear more plump and moist.
This is called extrinsic aging. As a result, premature aging can set in long before it was expected. In other words, your biological clock is more advanced than your chronological clock. Controllable factors such as stress, smoking and sun exposure can all play a role in expediting extrinsic aging.
Drinking enough water each day replenishes your skin's tissue and cells, allowing for younger and healthier looking skin. Another key to maintaining a youthful appearance is to simply get some rest! When you sleep, your body continuously releases hormones that promote cell turnover and renewal.
If your skin tends to be dry, look for a cream - they tend to have a higher oil content. Moisturizing can reduce the appearance of other blemishes. Freshly moisturized skin has a healthy sheen, which can even out any existing blemishes. Some moisturizers have some tint or self-tanner that can work with any skin tone.
"When skin is moisturized, it's plumper, smoother, and it looks younger," says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut. Fun fact: Your skin also looks brighter when light can bounce off it more evenly, which'll give you a glow.
Moisturizers can't prevent wrinkles, but they trap water in the skin, temporarily masking tiny lines and creases. Don't smoke. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. It also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity.
“When the imbalance of water, lipids, and proteins is altered using moisturisers, the skin's ability to act as a strong barrier to protect our inner organs will be weakened,” he explains.
You cannot wholly reverse aging—it's a normal part of life. However, you may be able to slow it down and help prevent age-related diseases by adopting a healthy lifestyle. That includes habits like eating a healthy diet, wearing sunscreen every day, and exercising (Shanbhag, 2019).
“When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29. “If you apply a lot of moisture, skin will become sensitive, dry, dull, and interfere with natural hydration.”
They block water evaporation and can actually clog pores and increase acne. They can interfere with the use of drugs such as tretinoin (Retin-A) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Because dry skin reflects more ultraviolet light than hydrated skin, some dermatologists feel that moisturizers actually accelerate skin aging.
"Skin's oil production peaks at midday, and there is less oil production at night. Therefore, when you lose that protective layer of natural oils, your skin loses more water, so it's important to replenish the water loss with a moisturizer overnight," says Sobel. "While you are asleep the skin goes into renewal mode.
When it comes to skin aging, there's not much we can do to completely stop the process. Signs of aging like wrinkles and spots are the results of the accumulation of defects in cells and intracellular structures. Experts have found that skin aging typically starts around age 25.
Repeated exposure to ultraviolet light (UV radiation) from the sun accounts for almost 90% of symptoms of premature skin ageing, skin damage and skin cancer. The sun is carcinogenic and harmful to the skin.
Smoking. The health reasons alone should be enough to avoid smoking — after all, it's considered the number one cause of preventable disease, disability and death according to the World Health Organization — but in terms of premature aging, smoking is definitely not one to preserve our youth.
The biggest changes typically occur when people are in their 40s and 50s, but they can begin as early as the mid-30s and continue into old age. Even when your muscles are in top working order, they contribute to facial aging with repetitive motions that etch lines in your skin.