We sometimes wish we could pause time, but skin ageing is a natural and inevitable process. The good news is that it largely depends on factors we can influence every day. We explain why skin ages and, above all, how to slow the process with simple habits.
What is the cause of skin aging?
We sometimes wish we could pause time, but skin ageing is a natural and inevitable phenomenon. The good news? Many of its causes are within our control. Here is what you need to know to understand the process better and adopt good daily habits.
What we need to know first and foremost is that skin aging is a complex process that depends not only on the genetics of each person, but also on many external factors related to our way of life and environment. Dermatologists estimate that 80% of aging is linked to these external factors*!
Over time, cell renewal slows, supporting fibres such as collagen become scarcer, and the skin’s appearance starts to change: it becomes thinner and dehydrated, loses firmness and starts to sag, while signs of ageing gradually appear. To keep your skin plump and firm, we have selected a few simple, natural tips to try at home:
- Remove make-up thoroughly morning and evening
- Use an anti-ageing cream tailored to your needs
- Pay attention to the neck and eye area
- Limit sugar and focus on antioxidants
- Stay hydrated, inside and out
- Adopt a gentler lifestyle
Remove make-up thoroughly: the first anti-ageing step.
The first step in keeping your skin firm and maintaining its tone is a regular beauty routine. We cannot say it enough: the essential first step is always to remove make-up thoroughly and cleanse your skin at least once a day, eliminating impurities that encourage skin ageing. If you like using cotton pads and/or want a quick routine, choose no-rinse products such as Micellar Water for Sensitive Skin or Cleansing Milk.
If you prefer cleansing with water, choose cleansing oil, whose oil texture brings comfort to your skin. An added bonus: their delicate rose fragrance will enchant all your senses.
(Want to learn more? Our guide to choosing a make-up remover explains all the textures suited to each skin type.)
Use a firming anti-ageing cream.
One golden rule for keeping skin firm is to use an anti-ageing cream suited to its needs. Drawing on its expertise in formulas of natural origin, NUXE has developed expert skincare for all ages** and skin types, with sensory textures and captivating fragrances.
- For firmness and tone, choose anti-ageing skincare from the Merveillance LIFT range.
- For comprehensive anti-ageing care that targets all signs of ageing, turn to our Nuxuriance Ultra regenerating skincare range.
- If your dry, age-weakened skin needs more nourishment and radiance, the Nuxuriance Gold range is for you.
- For an all-in-one treatment that combines day and night care in a single texture, discover Le Soin d’Exception Jour & Nuit, Merveillance LIFT®, for an immediate lifting and firming effect, or its more comprehensive Nuxuriance Ultra® version, which targets all signs of ageing (wrinkles, firmness, radiance and skin texture) in a single step morning and evening.
And do not forget the neck and eye area!
The skin on the neck and around the eyes is often overlooked, yet it too is prone to sagging. Apply your skincare to the neck and even down to the décolleté to protect these areas from loss of firmness too. Use eye care tailored to this area’s needs, where the skin is thinnest, whether a cream or, for more targeted action, an eye serum.
Want to go further? Find all our advice on preventing fine lines around the eyes, along with tips on applying eye cream correctly for optimal effectiveness.
Limit the consumption of sugar and promote a diet rich in antioxidants.
A diet high in sugar encourages glycation, a chemical reaction in which sugars bind to proteins, particularly collagen. This phenomenon occurs naturally in living organisms and produces glycated proteins that are damaged and difficult to eliminate. As a result, fibres stiffen, encouraging wrinkles and making the skin thinner and less toned. Instead, choose a diet rich in antioxidant foods such as goji berries, apples, artichokes and nuts and seeds.
Hydrate your skin.
Hydration is the number 1 need of every skin type. Staying hydrated inside and out helps maintain optimal water levels and keeps skin plump. Choose skincare that brings hydration and comfort, while making sure to drink enough water: at least 1.5 litres every day.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Pollution, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and a poor diet… All these factors affect our skin’s health and therefore its appearance. Wherever possible, choose a gentler lifestyle to keep skin firm for as long as possible. The sun is also a major accelerator of skin ageing: read our article on choosing sunscreen to protect yourself properly all year round.
Skin ageing is natural, but we can influence it: 80% of its causes depend on factors we can act on every day. Thorough make-up removal, a suitable anti-ageing cream, attention to the neck and eye area, a balanced diet, good hydration and a gentler lifestyle are the foundations for skin that stays firm and radiant for longer.
*Source: Clatici VG, Racoceanu D, Dalle C, et al. Perceived Age and Life Style. The Specific Contributions of Seven Factors Involved in Health and Beauty. Maedica (Bucur). 2017;12(3):191-201.
Flament F, et al. – Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013;6:221–232.
**Adults.
