As spa professionals, we often meet clients who are deeply concerned about wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of premature aging. These concerns are valid, as the skin — both on the face and the body — is relentlessly exposed to various environmental factors that can hasten the visible signs of aging while undermining our skin’s overall health. It’s important that, as skin care professionals, we can tackle these concerns with targeted treatments and preventive strategies. By offering services, such as specialized facials, antioxidant-rich treatments and encouraging healthy habits (like applying SPF), we can help our clients diminish the visible effects of aging like wrinkles and fine lines while also bolstering the skin’s defense against environmental damage. This doesn’t just apply to the face, but to the body from head to toe. Let’s explore helpful insights on premature aging along with ingredients that help skin look like you’ve turned back the clock.

Why Skin Prematurely Ages | Essential Ingredients | Lifestyle Tips To Give Clients

Why Does Our Skin Prematurely Age? 

Just like our facial skin, the skin on our body is constantly exposed to elements that can speed up aging and affect its health. Even clients who are careful about sun protection for their face often forget to apply protective products to their body, leaving their skin exposed to harmful UV rays and environmental pollutants. This can hasten the aging process.

Whether on the face or body, make sure you’re considering these factors that impact skin aging include:

• Sun exposure: Sunburn typically leads to visible signs of damage such as fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Harmful enzymes increased by UV rays break down collagen and elastin, leading to deeper skin folds and accelerated aging.
• Stress: As Healthline suggests, chronic stress releases cortisol and adrenaline, which can cause “inflammation and damage to DNA and cells” if produced over an excessive period of time.
• Pollution: Pollution impact can be from the smog and dirt we encounter outdoors, as well as the hidden hazards lurking in our homes, such as chemical-laden household cleansers or beauty products with harmful chemicals like parabens, petrolatum, mineral oils or sodium lauryl sulfate. Similarly, paint, air fresheners, hidden mold or pet dander also play a significant role in skin health. 
• Blue Light: Blue light, emitted from devices like laptops and phones, is reported to stimulate the production of free radicals in skin, af factor that can cause the visible signs of aging to emerge earlier in life. The free radicals generated create unstable molecules, leading to inflammation which attacks the cells, and accelerates the onset of the visible signs of aging. 
• Diet: A high-sugar diet may damage the skin through a natural process called glycation. In this process, sugar in the bloodstream binds to proteins, leading to the formation of harmful free radicals known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The accumulation of AGEs increases with the amount of sugar consumed, and these compounds can damage surrounding proteins, like collagen.
• Smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for premature wrinkling and skin aging. As VeryWellMind reports: “Cigarette smoking doesn’t just risk your internal physical health — its health effects can also appear on your face and skin. Premature aging is common, but you are also more likely to experience slower wound healing, pigmentation, eczema, skin cancer and other skin conditions if you are a smoker.”

Now that you’re up to speed about the causes of premature aging, here are the top ingredients and skin care products you can recommend to prevent and treat the signs of aging.

Essential Ingredients for Age Defense

Vitamin C and E 

One of the most well-known ingredients in skin care is vitamin C and when it’s applied topically, it has been shown to inhibit enzymes that break down the skin’s supportive structure. As Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar tells us: “Vitamin C is an incredibly effective nutrient for your body and an all-around savior for skin care. It’s been found to help prevent UV damage, reduce pigmentation, reduce inflammation and boost collagen production in skin.” 

Vitamin E is also particularly useful in shielding cells from UV-induced damage, especially when combined with vitamin C. When vitamins C and E are used together, they compete to neutralize free radical damage, leading to more potent neutralization and protection for the skin. 

When your client comes to you with concerns about premature aging, consider suggesting the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum. This lightweight formula combines three forms of vitamin C:

• Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (known as vitamin C salt), a stable form of vitamin C
• L-ascorbic acid, potent antioxidant version of vitamin C
• Natural vitamin C extracts sourced from citrus fruits (such as lemon and orange) and leafy greens (like kale and broccoli)

The serum is also enriched with vitamin E and ferulic acid. As mentioned previously, vitamin E is especially effective at protecting the skin from UV damage, particularly when used in conjunction with vitamin C.

Hyaluronic Acid

If your clients are noticing signs of aging on their skin, hyaluronic acid (HA) can be a valuable addition to their skin care routine. HA is a naturally occurring substance in the skin known for its ability to retain moisture. The primary benefit of hyaluronic acid is its hydrating power; dry skin is more prone to wrinkles and aging signs. Dryness can also indicate a compromised skin barrier, leading to increased sensitivity and potential breakouts or irritation. Incorporating HA into a skin care regimen can transform the complexion by:

• Plumping the skin for a smoother appearance
• Diminishing fine lines and wrinkles
• Enhancing dry or dehydrated skin
• Maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier

The Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Body Lotion is formulated with hyaluronic acid, aloe and panthenol to deeply hydrate, preserve moisture in the skin and protect the skin’s moisture barrier. For the face, you can lightly exfoliate the complexion using the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. It contains lactic acid which gently breaks down dead skin cells to smooth the look of the skin. 

Peptides

As the body’s natural collagen production slows in the late 20s to early 30s, peptides can help protect and maintain the collagen that already exists. Peptides are short chain amino acids, which you can think of as acting as building blocks for essential skin proteins, like collagen. Peptides serve a dual purpose, both treating and preventing the signs of aging. 

Our Marine Flower Peptide Collection uses plant-based peptides as well as marine flower technology to give the skin a more youthful-looking appearance. The Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream and Marine Flower Peptide Serum contain our Smart Collagen+ Complex, which is formulated with natural plant peptides and sustainably sourced freshwater and saltwater algae. The Smart Collagen+ Complex and potent plant peptides give your skin the look of increased strength, elasticity and suppleness, while algae extracts improve the look of firmness in the skin.

We have also developed a Marine Flower Peptide Collection Facial Protocol that you can offer in your spa. Read the protocol here to help clients achieve a younger-looking complexion.