INTRODUCTION
Ever looked in the mirror at the end of a long day and felt like your skin aged ten years? While in the morning, it was plump and bright, suddenly now your skin looks dull.
Those new wrinkles suddenly look a bit more pronounced. Oh, and you start seeing those under-eye shadows pop out of nowhere.
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. There’s a lot going on in your skin that does this. But the good news is that most of this can be minimized. In this article, we’ll cover how and why this happens. We will also discuss some ways of reversing these changes.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SKIN BETWEEN 9AM TO 9PM
Your skin, the epidermis to be specific, is what guards your body from the external world. Well, that’s its purpose. It’s also your duty to take care of your skin. But no matter what you do, it will fall prey to the daily environment stressors and the ravages of time.
Here are six ways your skin gets damaged daily:
1-ULTRAVIOLET EXPOSURE
You might already know that UV rays from the sun can cause your skin harm. But did you know that filtered daylight (through windows or clouds) quietly accelerates fine lines and uneven tone? That’s why using sunscreen is a smart choice. However, most of us forget to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours. That’s when a lot of the damage is done. And truth be told, it’s impossible to have 100% protection from the sun. So, there will always be some UV exposure.
2-SCREEN-TIME BLUE LIGHT
Phones and LEDs add another layer of oxidative stress. Research shows that blue light can also create ROS, akin to UV rays. In human skin cells, blue light triggers about 25% of the oxidative stress caused by UVA rays, which can cumulatively cause the same amount of damage as UV rays.
3-OXIDATIVE DAMAGE
Apart from UV exposure from the sun, high-energy blue light also triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS). These break down collagen and elastin. This can lead to sagging of skin, premature wrinkles, and a reduction in the skin’s ability to heal. All of this doesn’t happen immediately, but it piles up over decades.
4-POLLUTION
Particulate pollutants bind to sebum. Sebum is an oily and waxy substance produced naturally by your skin. The combination of sebum and pollutants blocks the oil-producing glands (pilosebaceous glands) of your skin. This can trap bacteria and lead to infections. Pollutants can also disrupt the skin’s microbiome, increasing inflammatory cytokines and impairing the skin barrier function.
5-STRESS
Stress has a huge impact on skin. It stimulates the release of hormones like cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which can increase sebum production in the skin, leading to acne breakouts.
Studies have shown that stress-related hormonal changes can exacerbate acne severity, even if sebum production doesn't always increase proportionally.
Stress hormones can also lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. One study found that cortisol exposure can cause a nearly 70% drop in collagen-related gene activity. This speeds up visible signs of aging like wrinkles and loss of firmness.
6-DEHYDRATION
Dehydration can make wrinkles appear more pronounced by reducing skin elasticity and increasing roughness. If you consistently drink less than 3 liters of water a day, your skin is more likely to show signs of dehydration-related aging such as dryness, fine lines, and loss of firmness.
How Do You Reverse These Changes Using Science
First, the non-negotiable: A good night’s sleep.
Second, a well designed night-time skin routine incorporating skin care actives that actually work. Let’s talk about these actives that will reset your skin making it fresh and vibrant.
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is the one of most researched skincare ingredients. It’s a potent topical antioxidant for skin. A concentrated, stabilised form of vitamin C mops up the free-radical “debris” left by sunlight, screens, and pollution. Fewer radicals means less day-to-day collagen loss and a brighter, more even surface by morning.
POTASSIUM AZELOYL DIGLYCINATE (PAD)
PAD delivers the brightening and oil-modulating benefits of azelaic acid in a water-soluble, low-sting form. Controlled studies have shown that with just 3 weeks of use, PAD can lead to a more even skin tone, lower sebum output and improved hydration.
APPLE-DERIVED EXOSOMES
Apple-derived exosomes are nano-sized vesicles that carry regenerative signals to human skin cells, promoting collagen production and barrier repair.
MANUKA HONEY
High methylglyoxal content gives manuka broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Its prebiotic sugars support bacteria that are good for your skin. Studies report that using Manuka honey leads to faster barrier recovery and reduced inflammatory markers after topical application.
LICORICE-DERIVED GLABRIDIN
Glabridin directly inhibits tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is the enzyme that over-produces pigment after sun exposure or breakouts. Inhibiting tyrosinase helps to lighten persistent marks and dark spots without irritating the surrounding skin.
All the ingredients specified above can be incorporated together into your skincare routine.
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