What Are the Root Causes of Skin Aging?

Most skincare companies lack a true understanding of what aging is, and the result is that while there are some amazing skincare products out there, they are truly just “topical band-aids” without truly addressing the root cause of the symptom itself. 

At Amethyst Bioscience, our founder is a biochemist, aesthetician, and beauty industry veteran, and has dedicated more than 20 years to truly understanding the root causes of skin aging. As science continues to advance, we are now able to fully target key sources and deliver results that last.

• Mitochondrial dysfunction: The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, and as we age, they lose their efficiency and power. Without adequate energy, skin cells are unable to perform as they did when they were younger, resulting in stagnant, unhealthy skin.
• Cellular senescence: senescent cells are former healthy cells, but have become damaged and start secreting pro-inflammatory substances that damage the surrounding healthier cells. Commonly known as zombie cells, these become more numerous as we age and cause significant problems to the remaining healthy cells, leading to visible skin tissue damage in the form of the signs of aging. 
• Altered cellular communication: As we age, our skin cells face growing exposure to a challenging environment, which includes inflammatory elements and other harmful substances. These factors can impede the proper functioning of cells, including stem cells. If cellular communication can be restored, so can youthful cell function.
• Genomic instability: As we age, our DNA, particularly in stem cells and rapidly dividing cells, is more susceptible to damage. This damaged DNA can lead to faulty cell function, which in turn can affect the proper operation of tissues and organs. In skin this shows up in accelerated aging, as well as collagen and elastin breakdown.
• Epigenetic alterations: As we age, the epigenome, which is responsible for regulating our genes, becomes disordered. This disruption can cause some beneficial genes to be switched off when they should be active, while genes that can cause problems may become activated when they should be dormant. This has significant implications, not only for how skin functions, but also for how it ages. By tapping into this system, we can truly reverse skin’s biological age. 
• Telomere shortening: Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes, gradually shorten as we age, making it harder for them to safeguard DNA. This reduction in telomere length can raise the risk of genomic instability and compromise the proper functioning of cells. The shorter the telomere, the older the skin cell will behave. By protecting telomeres, we can protect their length, and help skin cells remain younger, longer.
• Stem cell exhaustion: As we age, the functionality of stem cells diminishes or they start to die off. Given that stem cells are responsible for generating new cells when needed, a reduction in their numbers or their ability to function properly results in tissues being less effectively replenished and maintained.
• Inflammation: Also known as inflammaging, a condition characterized by persistent low-grade inflammation, is a natural part of the aging process that can be influenced by lifestyle choices, such as poor diet and sun exposure.  It plays a big role in the accelerated onset of aging skin. Controlling inflammation is a key to keeping our skin younger, healthier, longer.
• Microbiome dysfunction: Dysbiosis refers to a disturbance in the normal balance of microorganisms that reside in a specific environment, such as on skin’s surface. It can cause sensitivity, alter skin’s immune system, result in dehydration and redness, and alter the efficacy of topical skincare.