What Happens To Your Face When You Age? Our Dermatologist Breaks It Down

Aging is the most natural thing in the world, and yet we as a society tend to fear it. Along with the bigger insecurities that come with getting older (do any of us actually have it all figured out?), the primary concern related to aging is the way it changes our appearance. In particular, the face tends to be one of the most obvious places where aging signs show up. Luckily for those resistant to these marks of time, there are plenty of ways to reduce their appearance, from invasive cosmetic procedures to revamping your skincare routine once you hit 40. But first, you should know what to look for.

In an exclusive conversation with Glam, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin, M.D., FAAD, reveals that the major age-related changes affecting the skin include a loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles. Although these are common — and, to a certain extent, inevitable — signs of aging, you can prevent severe skin damage and premature wrinkles by following Dr. Amin's simple skincare tips.

When outlining the major changes you can expect to see in your skin as you age, Dr. Mina Amin reveals that the loss of moisture and elasticity are extremely common. "Our skin becomes drier with time," she tells Glam exclusively. "We lose moisture, and the skin is more sensitive and prone to rashes, including eczema." The dermatologist adds that with the loss of elasticity, in particular, the result is skin which appears to "sag" over time. When this occurs in the jawline and lower part of the cheek, you can end up with the baggy pouches known as jowls, while under-eye sagging is also common. 

In addition these losses, Dr. Amin points out that you'll likely experience some additions to the skin as you age: namely, in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin growths. "Fine lines and wrinkles appear with age, mainly from muscle movement over time," she says, noting that the "skin growths" tend to appear in the form of "seborrheic keratoses and lentigines (brown spots from the sun)." Preventative Botox may be able to delay the formation of wrinkles by weakening the facial muscles so they can't move excessively and cause lines, but Dr. Amin emphasizes that there are also changes you can make to your skincare routine to prevent and manage these signs of aging. 

No skincare product will stop the signs of aging altogether, but a good routine comprised of the right products can keep your skin in the best-possible condition as you age naturally. Often, this means introducing active ingredients to your regimen. "I recommend using a retinol at night and vitamin C serum during the day," Dr. Mina Amin exclusively tells us, stressing that it's not a good idea to use retinol and vitamin C together. Retinol boosts collagen and cell production, which can make wrinkles and fine lines less noticeable. Meanwhile, vitamin C is an antioxidant that defends against premature skin aging and damage caused by free radicals. 

"I also recommend sunscreen daily to prevent sun damage," adds Dr. Amin. Even when you're not spending the day at the beach, SPF is always necessary because sun damage can accrue sneakily and manifest through skin discoloration, a reduction in volume, and, yes, the appearance of wrinkles. Finally, Dr. Amin recommends using a moisturizer made with ceramides to keep your skin hydrated. Moisturizer is a vital piece of the puzzle because it helps to restore the moisture that's naturally lost in the aging process while also plumping the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Just remember that whether you feel comfortable embracing it or not, aging is a natural process. While it's fine to use all the anti-aging tools that you like, there's also no shame in letting your skin display the signs of a life well lived.