There's no doubt that time takes its toll on our skin. Those telltale signs of aging - fine lines and wrinkles, spots, dry skin, and sagging - actually begin while we still have our youth and vigor. They just aren't visible yet. But what causes these changes to our skin, and what can we do to slow down or reverse the process?

Changes Over Time

As for why the skin shows signs of aging, there are multiple factors at play. First, you've been dealt a certain genetic hand. Perhaps you come from a family whose members retain their youthful appearance well into their senior years, or maybe your family members begin to turn gray in their twenties. But, as the saying goes, it's not the hand you're dealt - it's how you play the cards. If you're blessed with great genes, it's up to you to develop a skin care regime that will support your skin's health. If the cards are stacked against you, you should be aggressive in developing habits that will delay the onset of visible aging.

Second, your behavior plays a tremendous role in how your skin holds up throughout the years. If you were a sun worshipper in your youth, you'll no doubt pay the price in your later years. You may not end up with leathery skin, but you're much more likely to have evidence of free radical damage, such as wrinkles and age spots. Similarly, while smoking causes a range of serious health problems, it also causes premature wrinkles and deteriorating skin tone. Even the way you sleep can have an impact in the way wrinkles develop. Sleeping with your face squashed into the pillow will eventually cause lines to form, while sleeping on your back can help you avoid those wrinkles.

Finally, there are natural life progressions that have an impact on the quality of your skin. Over time, the collagen in our skin lessens, making it less plump, and the quality of our skin's elastin is compromised. It takes more time for new skin cells to form, and old, dead skin doesn't slough off as easily. For women, estrogen production wanes, causing skin to become thinner.

Fighting Back

Just because our skin ages over time, it doesn't mean we need to surrender in the battle to keep our youthful appearance. Indeed, advances in technology are such that some of the antiaging skin care products on the market seem to turn back the clock. But what should you look for in an anti wrinkle cream?

First, make sure that the anti aging cream consists of only natural, healthy ingredients. Second, find skin care products that are specially prepared to make them more available to the cells and structures of the skin. In other words, they should actually be able to go deep into the skin's layers and be able to rejuvenate the skin at the cellular level. Third, make sure that the antiaging skin care product that you choose has at least two dozen active ingredients, including L-carnosine, tamanu oil, and a variety of vitamins and nutrients.

The right anti aging cream will help to remove wrinkles and minor skin blemishes, while tightening and firming the skin. It may not be the fountain of youth, but it's definitely the next best thing!