Your skin's foundation relies on collagen and elastin - proteins that provide structure, firmness, and elasticity. Collagen production begins to gradually decline in the mid-20s, and accelerates after menopause due to decreased estrogen levels, which directly impacts collagen synthesis.
Elastin fibers, responsible for skin's ability to snap back after stretching, also degrade over time. Cross-linking between these proteins increases with age, making them less flexible and more prone to breakdown from environmental stressors.
The epidermis continuously renews itself through cellular turnover, but this process slows significantly with age. Young skin completes this cycle approximately every 28 days, while mature skin may take 45-60 days or longer.
