Why are they the first places to age? And what can you do about it?

Have you ever looked at someone and tried to work out how old they are? Chances are there’s a few places you look that can be a bit of a giveaway, no matter how wrinkle-free their face is. Back of the hands is one, neck and décolletage is another, and the eye area are the places that start to age us faster than the rest of our skin.

If you’re over 40 years old, you’ve probably noticed a change in these areas yourself. But fear not, we’re here to explain why and, more importantly, how you can keep these areas looking youthful longer.

So, why?

The eye area, neck, and décolletage all have three things in common.

1. Fewer oil glands

If you haven’t noticed, these areas have less hair follicles and less oil glands. Less oil glands means that the skin in these areas isn’t getting the natural moisture that the rest of your skin gets, which keep it soft and hydrated. The skin in these areas absorbs and retains moisture less effectively, and also loses water and moisture more rapidly, which leads to easily dehydrated, dry skin. And when skin becomes drier and dehydrated, wrinkles look deeper and are more noticeable, and it also starts causing rapid ageing in the base of the skin.

2. All have a thinner dermis

Most of the age-related changes to our skin happen in the dermis (epidermis on top, dermis in the middle, subcutaneous fat layer on the bottom). The dermis makes up the thickest portion of the skin. And unfortunately, the dermis in these areas is thin to begin with. The dermis is where collagen and elastin are contained. Collagen gives strength and flexibility to our skin, while Elastin is what helps it spring back into shape. As we age Collagen and Elastin production declines – we lose 1% of collagen per year after the age of 20! So if the dermis is already thinner, and the levels of collagen and elastin are declining, it is not going to be able to provide the level of structural support to the epidermis that it needs.

3. More fragile and more sensitive

We start to lose subcutaneous fat (the layer under the dermis) in these areas quicker than other areas of our body. Cell degeneration causes this layer to waste away, causing loss of volume, and making skin hang, droop, or look saggy and crepey.

So what can we do about ageing around our eyes, necks, and décolletage? It’s all about ingredients.

To address subcutaneous fat loss, we recommend using low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and increasing the skin’s external EFA (essential fatty acid) oils. This will help the skin to become plumper and fuller, look for products that contain ceramides, Omega 6 and 9 and vitamin F – ingredients that “fatten” the skin.

Now let’s turn to how we address collagen loss and moisture retention. We already have a thinner dermis and less collagen, so we need to use products that encourage greater collagen production at a cellular level:

• Retinol and Retin A (Vitamin A) are recommended everywhere however you do have to be careful with these if you have sensitive skin, as most retinols used are free retinols (not in a capsule in the cream) and these can cause sun sensitivity and skin burning.
• As an alternative to retinol, we love lactobionic and ferulic acid. These are your new best friends in fighting aging. They stimulate the production of collagen, as well as help with improving moisture, brightening the skin and reducing pigmentation. The exciting news is, they are perfectly safe for the sun and can be used on sensitive skin. Ferulic acid is also an antioxidant, which protects your skin against free radicals (molecules that cling to collagen and weaken the skin).
• Vitamin C or Edelweiss help in the production of collagen while also helping to protect the collagen that we have. It’s also a great antioxidant, fighting free radicals from UV exposure. Edelweiss does all of the above and it also helps to fade dark spots on the skin.
• Peptides (or amino acids) penetrate the outer layer of the skin to work at a cellular level to stimulate the production of more collagen and elastin in your skin.

Products that contain these magic ingredients

Germaine de Capuccini has several skincare products containing combinations of the above:

• TIMEXPERT SRNS Neck, Décolletage & Hands Repair SPF30: This treatment specifically for the neck and decolletage. Contains peptides, essential fatty acids, and vitamin C, as well as SPF 30 to protect against future damage.
• TIMEXPERT Lift Neck Cream: A specific anti-aging strategy to stimulate cellular repair and treat sun damage. Contains low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids, and Edelweiss.
• TIMEXPERT Rides Global Age Cure Renewal Set: More youthful skin in just 30 days. Denser, with less wrinkles and an incredibly smooth and uniform texture. This treatment works while you sleep. Contains Lactobionic and ferulic acid, ceramides, Edelweiss and is packed full of peptides.
• TIMEXPERT Rides Eyes Eye Contour Wrinkle Treatment Day and Night Duo: Its powerful formula works by combining a blend of three peptides that neutralise the effects of constant facial contractions, and a unique complex that fills wrinkles and regenerates deeper layers of the skin, creating a “new” skin.

If you’re concerned about the signs of ageing on your skin, and want recommendations for products that might help, book in for a free skincare consultation with the experts at Gaia Day Spa.

Written by Louise Baker for Germaine de Capuccini.