It's All in the Genes: Genetics and Skin

It is estimated that humans have between 20,000 to 25,000 different genes that determine everything from our hair color to our height and more. Your genes also determine how well your skin ages. Read on to discover how your genes are impacting your skin.

How Genes Affect Aging

We age in two ways — extrinsically and intrinsically.

• Extrinsic Aging:

  Caused by external factors like sun exposure.

• Intrinsic Aging:

   

  Occurs naturally as time passes and is what we inherit from our parents.

  Our genes determine the tendencies of our aging skin—like when our skin will begin to wrinkle or sag, or if we will suffer from acne or hyperpigmentation.

  But genes only make up half of the skin story. The choices we make and our lifestyle also has a huge impact on how our skin ages.

How to Maintain Healthy Skin

• Cleanse

  Washing your face twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, cleanses your face of dirt and oil and keeps skin refreshed and clean.

• Moisturize

   

  Occurs naturally as time passes and is what we inherit from our parents.

  Regardless of the skin type you inherit, wearing a daily moisturizer with a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or more is the single most important thing you can do to help minimize the signs of aging.

• Eye Treatment

  Applying an eye cream twice a day, under eyes and over the lids, will hydrate the delicate eye area.