Have you noticed how very free of wrinkles teenage skin is? Do you ever wonder why? First of all, they have more facial fat. As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin breaks down and our skin becomes thinner. Also, young people have not spent many years in the sun, therefore they have no sun damage. When I was a teenager, my friends and I always carried an aluminum shield to the beach along with our towels and other gear. We applied tanning oil to attract the sun and we would lie on a blanket and hold the reflector near our faces to catch the sun’s rays. Of course, we didn’t know the damage it would cause, especially over the course of many years. Areas of our bodies that were exposed to the sun developed dry patches and brown spots. Over time, our skin gradually lost its layers of subcutaneous fat and it took on a gaunt appearance. Ninety percent of skin damage is caused by the sun.
Being tan meant that we were attractive, and a pale face was considered unhealthy looking. Every ad showed women and men with gorgeous tans. Back then, tanning was almost part of grooming, so you took the time to nurture your tan. I also remember going on my honeymoon to Acapulco where the sun’s rays were much hotter than those in Brooklyn. The first day after laying in the sun, I looked like a lobster and was in serious pain. I have olive skin, so I can imagine the sun burns of the vacationers who were fair skinned. I’m sure it ruined their honeymoons.
Another reason young people don’t have wrinkles is because gravity hasn’t taken its toll yet. Their skin is young and tight and everything is in the right place. As we age, gravity slowly pulls down our features. That is why Botox, Restalyn and similar treatments have become so popular. Each year, there are other methods discovered. Both men and women have injections to fill in the parts of the skin that are not full anymore. Unfortunately, many overdo this and lips become too large. The face can only handle a certain amount.
Women are now opting for natural and organic skin care. Organic cosmetics offer a safer alternative to traditional manufactured products. They are made from plants and other organic sources and are free of chemicals and dyes. If you’d like to try an organic product, look for lipstick that is paraben-free. Organic cosmetics eliminate the need for animal testing and they’re actually much better for you in general. Sometimes the chemicals in manufactured makeup can enter the bloodstream through the skin, and that is taking an unnecessary risk.
Now that you know how vulnerable your skin is, it’s time to ask yourself if you feel safe putting chemical based skin care products and cosmetics on it everyday. We can’t make our skin look like it did when we were teens, however there are many preventative measures we can take to keep our skin safe and looking young. First, stay out of the sun, especially during the hottest hours of the day. Of course, apply a good sunscreen and use creams that contain vitamin C, vitamin B3 [niacin], B5, vitamin E, collagen, elastin and alpha-hydroxy acids.
Sylvia Hamowy is the owner of Reflections Cosmetics. She is a professional makeup artist, beauty editor and former radio show host. She is featured in the International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs.
