As the body ages, the appearance and characteristics of the skin change. Visible aging begins at about age 25 as natural regenerative processes begin to slow. Old cells are replaced more slowly, turning over the surface skin and healing wounds at a delayed rate. Around the age of 45, the skin starts to thin, becoming more fragile and vulnerable to damage by abrasion and more sensitive to environmental factors and allergens. The number of blood vessels decreases, and skin loses that youthful glow. As if that’s not bad enough, gravity is also doing its thing, pulling at the skin and causing it to sag.

The skin is our barrier against external forces, and the natural aging process can be exacerbated by factors such as excessive sun exposure, extremes of heat or cold, psychological stress, and improper nutrition, among others. In other words, it’s not just time marching across your face; it’s the elements.

And the most fearsome factor we face living in Colorado is the sun.