Skin ageing is a complex, multifactorial biological process—and one of the most visible signs of ageing in the human body. Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dullness, dryness, and uneven tone don’t appear overnight. They are the result of cumulative changes taking place within the skin’s structural, biochemical, and functional systems.
Understanding what drives these changes—both from within and from the environment—empowers us to make informed decisions about how to care for our skin through science-based topical treatments and internal wellness strategies.
What Causes Skin Ageing?
Collagen & Elastin Breakdown: The Structural Decline
Collagen accounts for approximately 75% of the skin’s dry weight and is responsible for its firmness and strength. Elastin gives skin its ability to stretch and rebound. With age, both collagen and elastin production naturally decline, and environmental stressors like UV exposure, pollution, and smoking accelerate their degradation.
A major internal contributor is glycation—a process where sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin fibers, forming Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). These AGEs stiffen skin proteins, reducing elasticity and contributing to wrinkles and sagging.
Autophagy Decline: A Sluggish Cellular Cleanup
Autophagy is the skin’s internal recycling process. It removes damaged cellular components, allowing for healthier cell renewal. With age, this process slows, leading to a buildup of cellular debris and slower regeneration.
Interventions such as intermittent fasting and regular exercise may help reactivate autophagy and refresh the skin from within.
Oxidative Stress & Free Radicals: The Invisible Attackers
Free radicals—unstable molecules produced during normal metabolism—are amplified by sun exposure, pollution, poor nutrition, stress, and smoking. When they outnumber antioxidants in the skin, they create oxidative stress, which damages cellular structures including DNA, lipids, and proteins like collagen.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10 can help neutralize these radicals and protect the skin from premature ageing.
Inflammaging: Low-Grade Inflammation, Long-Term Damage
Inflammaging refers to chronic, low-grade inflammation that persists with age—even in the absence of infection or injury. This ongoing inflammatory state disrupts collagen synthesis, impairs the skin barrier, and contributes to dullness and sagging. It is influenced by UV radiation, hormonal imbalances, stress, poor sleep, and high-glycemic diets.
Chronic Dehydration: Starved Skin Cells
Many people suffer from subclinical dehydration. When the skin lacks water, it appears dry, dull, and more wrinkled. Dehydration slows cellular turnover and reduces enzymatic activity, limiting the skin’s natural renewal process.
While ingredients like hyaluronic acid can help attract moisture to the outer layers of the skin, systemic hydration—through adequate water intake—is essential for maintaining long-term skin health.
Compromised Skin Barrier: The Frontline Weakens
The skin barrier—primarily located in the stratum corneum—protects against environmental stressors and prevents moisture loss. Ageing weakens this barrier through lipid depletion and structural disorganization, resulting in increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dryness, and heightened sensitivity.
Supportive ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and omega fatty acids are essential to strengthen and repair the barrier.
Modern skin science offers a wide array of actives that can address various signs of ageing. Here are some of the most effective, along with product examples that showcase them:
Vitamin C
A potent antioxidant that promotes collagen synthesis, neutralizes free radicals, and brightens hyperpigmentation.
Try: Intensive Brightening Serum with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, 2% Panthenol & 0.6% Ferulic Acid – improves tone, texture, and pigmentation.
Radiance Facial Concentrate with Cranberry and Vitamins C&E - for radiant and revitalized complexion.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Stimulates collagen production, speeds cell turnover, and reduces uneven pigmentation.
Try: Intensive Pore & Oil Control Serum with Willow Bark Extract, Retinol, and Tea Tree Oil – helps regenerate skin and improve glow. In this formula, retinol is encapsulated within a liposomal form of vitamin A and carefully engineered for gradual, sustained release—delivering powerful skin-renewing benefits with minimal risk of irritation.
Bakuchiol
A plant-derived alternative to retinol that delivers similar results without the associated sensitivity.
Try: Luminous Balance Cream with 10% Azelaic Acid, 5% Niacinamide & Aloe Vera – combines bakuchiol with anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting ingredients.
Peptides
Signal molecules that stimulate collagen, elastin, and keratin production, improving firmness and texture.
Try: Cellular Cream with Plant Stem Cells, Contouring Multi-Action Cream with Peptides, Vitamin C, and Coenzyme Q10, and Uplifting Eye Cream with Edelweiss Extract – all rich in bioactive peptides to visibly smooth and strengthen the skin.
Read the related article.
Ceramides
Key components of Stratum Corneum, essential skin lipids that maintain barrier integrity and retain moisture.
Try award winner: Eco-Balance Probiotic Radiance Cream with Pomegranate Seed Oil and Coenzyme Q10 – deeply restorative and soothing.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
A multitasking vitamin that brightens, refines pores, strengthens the skin barrier, and regulates oil production.
Try: Intensive Hydrating Serum with Edelweiss, Hyaluronic Acid & Provitamin B5, Eco-Balance Blemish Defence Serum with Phages and Niacinamide, and Luminous Balance Cream with Azelaic Acid & Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
A powerful humectant that hydrates and plumps the skin, helping reduce fine lines.
Try award winner: Intensive Hydrating Serum with Edelweiss, Hyaluronic Acid & Provitamin B5 – instantly replenishes moisture and soothes dryness.
A Holistic Approach: Supporting the Skin From Within
Topical skincare is essential, but for optimal and lasting results, internal wellness must not be overlooked.
Protein and Collagen Support
Your body needs amino acids from protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, legumes, and seeds to produce collagen and elastin. Vitamin C is also required to support this synthesis.
Collagen supplements can be beneficial, particularly for vegetarians or individuals with low protein intake. However, in the context of a well-balanced diet, additional supplementation may offer limited benefit and, in some cases, could disrupt nutrient balance, promote inflammation, or interfere with the body’s natural autophagy processes.
Avoiding refined sugar and processed carbohydrates is key to reducing glycation and preserving skin integrity.
Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant-Rich Nutrition
Colorful fruits and vegetables provide phytonutrients like lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene that protect against oxidative stress and UV-induced damage. Healthy fats from flax, chia, walnuts, avocado, and cold-pressed olive oil support the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
A diverse, plant-forward diet also supports gut health—a major factor in systemic and skin-related inflammation.
Hydration
Proper hydration enhances cellular function, improves circulation, and supports nutrient delivery to the skin. Drink plenty of clean, filtered water and reduce consumption of dehydrating beverages like alcohol and excessive caffeine.
Even minor dehydration can exaggerate fine lines and slow skin healing.
The Bottom Line
Skin ageing is driven by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Topical treatments offer targeted, science-backed support—but sustainable beauty stems from within.
Combining advanced formulations with healthy habits creates the most effective approach to graceful, healthy ageing. Your skin is a reflection of your overall vitality. Nourish it inside and out—and it will reward you with lasting radiance.
References
Baumann, L. (2007). Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice. McGraw-Hill Education.
Varani, J., Dame, M.K., Rittie, L., et al. (2006). Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. American Journal of Pathology, 168(6), 1861–1868.
Ganceviciene, R., Liakou, A.I., Theodoridis, A., et al. (2012). Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermato-Endocrinology, 4(3), 308–319.
Bosset, S., Bonnet-Duquennoy, M., Barré, P., et al. (2003). Photoaging shows histological features of chronic skin inflammation without clinical and molecular abnormalities. British Journal of Dermatology, 149(4), 826–835.
Zouboulis, C.C., Makrantonaki, E. (2011). Clinical aspects and molecular diagnostics of skin aging. Clinical Dermatology, 29(1), 3–14.
Pullar, J.M., Carr, A.C., Vissers, M.C. (2017). The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866.
Draelos, Z.D. (2015). Aging skin: The role of dietary antioxidants and their impact on cosmetic dermatology. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 14(3), 224–232.
