Aging is an inevitable process, but in reality, the endogenous aging model is superimposed and accelerated by the exogenous aging model, causing skin aging to occur faster than biological age. Statistical studies and estimates suggest that external factors generally cause skin aging, with only 3% coming from internal factors. Therefore, in this article, we will examine and find solutions to slow down the process of exogenous skin aging, maintaining the inherent integrity of the skin.

1. Skin Aging

1.1 Causes

Skin aging is characterized by the degradation and loss of structural and functional integrity of the skin. Skin aging is divided into two types based on the main causes responsible for the current aging condition:

• Intrinsic aging, or chronological aging, is the alteration of skin characteristics and structure influenced by genetic and hormonal factors through three main mechanisms: telomere shortening, reduced Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair capacity, and oxidative stress. Intrinsically aged skin is characterized by signs such as thin, dry skin, fine lines, and gradual skin atrophy.

• Extrinsic aging: Premature aging caused by external factors such as UV radiation, pollution, dust, industrial chemicals, etc. The most common among these are accumulated damages from UV exposure, known as photoaging. Unlike intrinsically aged skin, extrinsically aged skin manifests as deep wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dryness, accompanied by hyperpigmentation spots like melasma and liver spots.

1.2 Characteristics of aged skin

The skin is a complex organ with a diversity of specialized cells such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, and immune cells, forming a synchronized system that performs the skin's vital functions for the body. Therefore, any deviation or deficiency, no matter how small, will affect the operation of this organizational system, leading to functional disorders and disruption of the skin's integrity. Skin aging can specifically reflect this rule through the simultaneous manifestation of various problems:

• The epidermis can thin due to reduced cell division in intrinsically aged skin or thicken in photoaged skin due to the impaired degradation of keratinocyte desmosomes.

• Wrinkle formation: The lack of density of the four main extracellular matrix structures: glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, causes the skin structure to become loose, losing its firmness, and forming skin folds.

• Pigmentation disorders: The cells producing pigments, regulated by enzymes, decrease by 8-20% every 10 years, not to mention the negative effects of UV rays and external environmental oxidizing agents on the performance of the skin's antioxidant system, leading to pigmentation disorders, uneven skin tone, and the appearance of hyperpigmentation spots.

• Decreased sebaceous gland activity: Squalene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon produced by human sebaceous glands (SG), and its content reaches a maximum between 20 and 40 years of age, then gradually decreases in the 41 to 60 age group. The decrease in sebum secretion and changes in sebum composition cause dry skin, lack of radiance, roughness, flaking, and stinging.

• Dermatitis: The overloaded antioxidant mechanism causes skin lipid peroxidation, activating the complement system, inflammatory factors, and macrophages in the immune system to clear damaged cells and oxidized lipids. This process occurs frequently and continuously, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing prolonged skin inflammation and forming lesions in the dermis and extracellular matrix.

• Impaired function of the subcutaneous microvascular system due to endothelial dysfunction manifests as telangiectasia.

2. Strategies to slow down premature skin aging

The skin performs the function of protecting the body from external environmental factors such as temperature, radiation, dust, harmful microorganisms; it helps regulate temperature, immune surveillance, and receives-transmits tactile signals. Therefore, slowing down the aging process of the skin is not only important for aesthetic reasons but also to maintain the skin's integrity and ensure efficient functional activity for the body. This is not an easy task, and we need a correct and timely strategy to make it feasible and truly effective.

2.1 Sun Protection

80% of skin aging problems come from UV rays. This factor triggers a chain reaction that produces free radicals, attacking and destroying skin structure. In addition, DNA damage from UV rays that is not repaired promptly can accumulate and lead to serious genetic consequences, disrupting skin activity, causing abnormal proliferation or death of cells, and consequently premature skin aging or even skin cancer. Therefore, the saying "Sun protection is anti-aging" is truly accurate.

Besides physical sun protection, the use of sunscreen is crucial. It is recommended to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ to protect the skin from harmful light agents such as UV rays, infrared rays, blue light, etc. Equally important is to choose a sunscreen product suitable for your skin to avoid potential irritation.

2.2 Antioxidants

Not only UV rays, but other factors such as environmental pollution, dust, harmful chemicals, and even cellular life activities all activate the production of reactive oxygen species, free radicals—the main culprits responsible for altering the skin's extracellular matrix in both intrinsic and photoaging. This means that supplementing the skin with antioxidants not only helps slow down the process of extrinsic skin aging but can also reverse the process of intrinsic aging.

Some antioxidants that can be supplemented for the skin include: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, phenolic compounds extracted from plants, etc. These nutrients, when entering the skin, can react and neutralize free radicals, reactive oxygen species, preventing their attack and damage to skin structures.

2.3 Activate & Support Repair and Recovery Mechanisms

Damage and deficiencies in the skin structure that are not repaired or replenished promptly will gradually accumulate and manifest visually through various skin conditions.

The discovery of EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) and its mechanism for repairing and regenerating cells by scientists Stanley Cohen and Rita Levi-Montalcini has made the strategy for anti-skin aging feasible.

Accordingly, EGF acts as a repair agent, restoring damaged skin. EGF communicates with cells by binding to receptors on the cell surface and "signaling" them to act like young, healthy cells, thereby promoting cell growth, repair, and regeneration through the following activities:

• Stimulates Glucose and Amino Acid transport, activates protein synthesis, and promotes DNA synthesis
• Regulates Keratinocyte cell division in the epidermis, while controlling Fibroblast division in the dermis
• Promotes Collagen synthesis in Fibroblasts; inhibits Collagen degradation by suppressing collagenase activity in the dermis

Additionally, during the repair and regeneration of skin cells, the skin needs to be provided with the necessary environment and ingredients such as Amino Acids, Peptides, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, etc.

2.4 Products to slow down skin aging

The strategy to slow down skin aging needs to be developed and implemented as early as possible to minimize the formation and accumulation of signs of time on the skin. Below are a pair of products that can help you reverse signs of aging and maintain the integrity of your skin structure:

oh!oh! HA & Proteoglycans Amber Serum - Deep Hydrating, Restoring & Rejuvenating Essence

With its lightweight texture, the essence quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving no sticky residue and creating instant smoothness. The oh!oh! HA & Proteoglycans Amber Serum helps combat skin aging by providing:

• 3.1% multi-molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and moisturizes the skin, making it plump and smooth, replenishes HA at multiple layers, helps strengthen HA density in the extracellular structure, contributing to the reduction of fine lines
• 5% Proteoglycans Complex: Acts as a growth factor effective in wound healing, promotes cell proliferation, helps regenerate new skin cells, and is one of the four foundational structures of the extracellular matrix that supports the cushioning structure under the skin, helps connect collagen fibers, preventing signs of aging and sagging skin.
• Essential nutrients such as Niacinamide, Arbutin, Ceramide NP, Amino Acid Complex & Peptide Complex: Provide necessary ingredients for cell repair and recovery, brighten, restore, and strengthen the skin barrier.

oh!oh! Oatmere Serum - Stem Cell Essence, Skin Regeneration

Applying the mechanism of skin cell recovery and regeneration from EGF, with human gene-derived EGF produced through advanced molecular biotechnology and nano-sized liposome encapsulation, oh!oh! Oatmere serum is an effective solution for skin aging issues, specifically:

• EGF concentration reaches 9.9 ppm - the highest concentration within the allowed range for Cosmeceutical products, delivering optimal effects of EGF on the skin such as: Inhibiting wrinkle formation through the development of new epidermal cells, stimulating collagen production; Reducing and improving existing wrinkles.
• 4.5% Oat Extract: The Beta-glucan component in the extract protects and hydrates the skin, while phenols and vitamin E have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Centellosides: Also known as Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Saponins, they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in wound healing, stimulating the skin to produce GAGs and Collagen.

>> See product details here

Start implementing a strategy to slow down the skin aging process today with a skincare routine that includes the following steps:

Step 1: Double cleanse with Microx Cleanser Facial Cleanser & Xylica Micellar Cleansing Water Makeup Remover

Step 2: HA & Proteoglycans Amber Serum

Step 3: Oatmere Serum Cream-Type Serum

References

1. Chaudhary M, Khan A, Gupta M. Skin Ageing: Pathophysiology and Current Market Treatment Approaches. Curr Aging Sci. 2020;13(1):22-30.

2. Russell-Goldman, Eleanor, and George F. Murphy. "The pathobiology of skin aging: new insights into an old dilemma." The American Journal of Pathology 190.7 (2020): 1356-1369.

3. He, Xin, Xinyu Gao, and Weidong Xie. 2023. "Research Progress in Skin Aging, Metabolism, and Related Products" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, no. 21: 15930