Many skin care lines out there would have you believe that aging skin and wrinkles are something to hide, or that a woman showing any sign of growing older is somehow less attractive or flawed.

But, at Martin’s Wellness we believe your skin something to be celebrated, no matter what age you are!

Skin care is an act of self-love. Loving the skin you have, and treating it with the best stuff nature has to offer, is the answer bringing out your skin’s true beauty.

This second blog in our series about skin care is focused on Aging Skin. We believe that your skin is something precious, and as you grow older, your skin becomes even more precious. That’s why it’s important to treat it well.

Don’t try and hide your aging skin! Nourish it!

The Signs and Causes of Aging Skin

At some point in all of our lives, the years catch up to us and it is reflected in our skin. However, aging skin manifests differently for each person. Depending on your skin type and tone, the aging process can occur at different rates and have varied effects.

Each person’s skin ages in it’s own unique way, but there are a few common signs that usually begin to appear in the late 20’s. Sometimes you have genetics to thank, and someitmes it’s lifestyle choices.

Here are some signs your skin might be aging, and what exactly causes it:

Dull Skin Tone

New skin cells are what give you that youthful glow. But, as you age, your skin loses the ability to renew itself, by about 7% every 10 years.

Without those fresh, new skin cells, dead skin cells can build up on your face. This is what causes your skin to have a lackluster appearance.

Dark Spots 

Aging also causes your skin pigment cells to multiply more rapidly. Age spots occur when these cells cluster together.

Sun exposure also creates excess melanin (the main pigment in the skin). After years of UV damage, the melanin builds up and can result in “sun” spots.

Easily Bruised Skin

Over time, your blood vessels grow thinner and weaker. Bruises form when blood vessels in the skin are broken. Weak blood vessels break easily and lead to more bruises.

Loss of Elasticity

Elasticity and collagen are protein fibers in your skin that keep it firm and strong. But, as you age, your body produces less and less of these. After the age of 30, you skin starts loosing elastin and collagen at a rate of 1-3% per year. Without elasticity your skin is prone to sag.

Dry Skin

The natural skin aging process includes the loss of moisture, drying out the top most layers of your skin. You skin is in constantly battling for hydration with the environment. Moisture is always being pulled out of your skin by the wind, sun, and many other hostile elements that surround you on a daily basis.

Years of constant exposure can leave your skin thirsty. And, it becomes more difficult for your skin to produce natural moisture as you age.

How to Take Care of Your Aging Skin

Pampering yourself, and living a healthier life can make a huge difference on your skins ageing process. Take care of that beautiful skin of yours by doing a few of these simple things:

Wearing sunscreen is a major way to prevent aging skin. The earlier you start the better. Protecting your skin from UVA & UVB rays is a good way to get ahead of the ageing game, and is even helpful in reversing the aging process.

Regularly exfoliate your dull skin (2 - 3 times a week) to enhance skin cell turnover and wash away dead, dry, flaky skin.

Keep your dry and aging skin hydrated by drinking the recommended amount of water daily (about 2 liters per day). Also, eat plenty of water-rich veggies and fruits such as cucumbers, tomato and celery.

Support the renewal of elastin with the right ingredients. Aminos and healthy fats help fortify the elastin in your skin. Eating foods that are rich in these help, as well as using organic skin care products that also contain aminos and healthy fats.

Fight cell deterioration, fend off free radical damage, and hydrate your skin with an antioxidant-rich moisturizer. We suggest Dorinda James ANTI-AGING AM Moisturizing Cream.

Be sure to use moisturizer in the morning and night time. Use products that firm, lift, hydrate and protect aging skin. We suggest Dorinda James NOURISHING Daily Moisturizing Gel for your AM routine, and Dorinda James FIRMING PM Moisturizing Cream before bed.


The Lowdown Fine Lines & Wrinkles

One of the most common features of aging skin is wrinkles. Though they are sign of a life well lived, as they often appear on the part of the face you move the most (around the mouth and eyes), wrinkles are also an indication of loss of moisture, collagen and elastin in the skin.

Squinting, sun exposure, genetics, menopause, and smoking are a few factors that can contribute to the wrinkles on your face. And, they come in many shapes and sizes such as:



Fine Lines
Those deep wrinkles you get in your later years start out as fine lines. They are mostly due to dry skin and loss of elastin. Plus, fine lines can appear due the the thinning of the top layer of skin, that naturally occurs when aging.



Crows Feet
These are the common fine lines that radiate out from the corners your eyes. They are some of the first wrinkles to appear, usually in your 30’s. These wrinkles are considered “dynamic” meaning they only appear when contracting the facial muscles, which occurs when you smile or squint.


Forehead Wrinkles
These are deep lines that form on your forehead. Many environmental factors can cause your skin to be more susceptible to getting these wrinkles. When you get stressed or frown, it causes temporary wrinkles to form, that can eventually turn into permanent lines, especially when you age, as your skin has less elasticity.


Under Eye Wrinkles
Under eye wrinkles are the little lines that appear due dry skin. The skin around your eyes is extremely sensitive because of its thinness. Plus, there are less oil glands present in the skin around your eyes, making it more difficult to produce and maintain moisture.


Mouth Wrinkles
There are various causes that lead to mouth wrinkles. Smoking is one of the biggest reasons, as the chemicals in tobacco accelerates the aging process. As you age, you facial muscles weaken, making it harder to fight the little wrinkles around your mouth from smoking and pursing your lips.


How to Get Rid of Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a natural part of growing older, and they are nothing to be ashamed of. However, there are some simple steps and lifestyle enhancements you can do, to bring out the best in your skin, while minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.


Use the correct foundation. Dry skin, due to aging, is made worse by powders, as they absorb moisture and oil. This accentuates fine lines. Switch to a tinted moisturizer or cream foundation to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.


Get a proper night’s sleep. Rest is essential for skin repair. Without enough sleep the skin will not be fully rejuvenated, and is more prone to wrinkle.


Eating colorful veggies and fruits increases your intake of essential vitamins and antioxidants, which builds collagen and helps prevent wrinkles.


Wear sunglasses to avoid squinting and stave off crows feet.


Avoid habits that cause you to purse your lips and form wrinkles around your mouth, like chewing gum, drinking from a straw, and smoking.


Use a revitalizing serum that smooths wrinkles using all-natural ingredients like vitamin C. For a formula that tones and brightens wrinkled skin, try Dorinda James WRINKLE Revitalizing Serum.