A Major Cause of Deep Wrinkles:
The Decrease in Hyaluronic Acid

With advancing age comes a considerable decrease in the content of hyaluronic acid in our skin. Hyaluronic acid molecules form the major component of the connective tissue matrix that lies between our skin cells. A hyaluronic acid molecule can bond a great deal of liquid, increasing its volume 30 times over. Hyaluronic acid is produced by the skin itself in the dermis through the connective tissue cells or fibroblasts. It is responsible for firm, filled-out connective tissue. A decrease in hyaluronic acid means a loss of volume in the connective tissues. The consequence: wrinkles develop. Cosmetic dermatology also takes advantage of the "skin filling" effect of hyaluronic acid to fight wrinkles.

Sun-Induced Premature Skin Aging

During the physiological aging process, the skin's tightness, elasticity and regeneration capacity decreases considerably - sooner in areas heavily exposed to the sun, such as the face, than in areas protected from the sun. The depth of the wrinkle formation depends on your skin type. Fair skin people are at greater risk for skin damage from UV rays; people with darker skin and darker hair are at lower risk. Premature skin aging is caused by damage to the dermis from UV rays, which play a major role since they penetrate deep into the dermal layers. UVA rays cause a change in the elastic fibres of the dermis, thus contributing to so-called "solar elastosis" - sun-induced degeneration of the elastic fibers leading to multiple fine lines and wrinkles in sun exposed areas.

Weakening Collagen Production

Collagen represents about 60 percent of the "filler" material of the connective tissue. With advancing age, the synthesis rate of collagen drops in the fibroblasts. At the same time the synthesis rate of collagenases (collagen-reducing enzymes) increases. This results in the skin's collagen content, which is partly responsible for firm skin, declining about 1 percent per year of life. The connective tissue slackens. The skin and the facial contours lose their form and firmness. The condition of the visibly damaged connective tissue is often characterised as "sagging." Individual skin particles hang down like proverbial "sacks."

Weakening Capacity for Cell Regeneration

One of the most important causes of wrinkles is a decrease in cell activity and the drop in cell regeneration. Metabolism slows down, skin increasingly loses moisture and its elasticity, as well as resistance dwindle. If you have sensitive facial skin, you are especially prone to rapid wrinkling. Wrinkles form earlier and are often more pronounced. This is why you need skincare products that increase the metabolic rate and support the regeneration of your skin cells.

Hyper-Pigmentation

In addition to UV-related changes in the skin structure, beginning around age 30 there are also changes in the skin"s pigmentation. The complexion appears to be unevenly tanned. Such so-called hyper-pigmentation, or age spots, can cover large or small areas and are clearly defined. The spots, caused by increased melanin production and uneven deposits and storage of melanin in the epidermis cells, can be hormone-related from pregnancy, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. In addition to UV exposure, genetic disposition and advancing age are also related to the development of hyper-pigmentation.

Decreasing Papilla Thickness

In the upper skin layer, the stratum corneum, barely any difference between old skin and young skin can be recognized microscopically. Changes take place primarily in the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis becomes thinner with advancing age; the exact structure of its individual cell layers degrades. From the reduction in the epidermal stem cells (basal cells), there is a flattening out of the border area between the dermis and the epidermis. This dermal-epidermal junction zone consists of a firm interaction of the dermal papilla and the epidermal bulges.

Papilla provide the epidermis with nutrients

The papilla, which are small bulges of the dermis in the epidermis, are essential for skin firmness. They consist of elastic fibres (collagen and elastin) and contain blood capillaries at their core that supply the epidermis with nutrients and oxygen. Starting around age 25, these pin-shaped structures flatten out increasingly and their number decreases. The supply to the epidermis drops off. This biological process is visible in fine lines; your complexion looks tired, pale and uneven.

To actively counteract premature aging or to mitigate the typical symptoms, Eucerin® has a line of products with effective ingredients designed especially for the various problems and causes of skin aging.