Time is passing and with it wrinkles and crowsfeet are being etched on our face. And more are appearing every day. When skin ages, it loses its elasticity and the age lines begin to appear. As we look through the process, help is near.

A very important building block in the body is collagen, a fibrous protein that makes up 75% of our skin. It plays a strategic role in our bodys healing process. However, collagen will harden with age. It collapses and binds with other fibres so that a mesh is formed below the surface. This gives us the wrinkles.

Important also is elastin, a fibrous protein formed by spiral filaments that look much like springs. It helps our skin return to its normal shape after stretching or contracting or when pinched or poked. It is abundant in the lungs and large blood vessels such as the aorta.

Elastin continues to regenerate itself until adulthood after which the body stops producing and it is no longer renewed. With aging the fibers begin to degenerate and break apart into fragments. The skin loses its elasticity at which time wrinkles begin to appear.

Aloe vera is one of the best skin care ingredients and dates back to Cleopatra. It soothes, softens and moisturizes. It has the capability of penetrating the layer of skin that retains water and allows the properties in the gel to slough off dead cells. This helps in restoring the complexion. There are testimonials to the fact that this ingredient in skin care formulations has been observed to reduce and eliminate scaring, liver spots, age lines and other blemishes.

Exposure to the long UVA rays contributes to early aging and possibly cancer and to the short UVB rays, sun-burns. Cloudy, sunny or shady - all are just as dangerous. One of the most beneficial things that people can do to prevent early aging skin or further sun-damage is to protect themselves from the sun. Consumers should use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

Because we are under constant attack from UV radiation, our skin suffers from what is known as "photo damage" which is associated with aging. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), a powerful anti-oxidant, greatly counteracts the free radical activity that is caused by this photo damage. By reducing this activity, the skin is improved by decreasing the signs of aging and by preventing any further damage.

Without becoming too scientific, free radicals are caused because there are an unpaired number of electrons. They look around to steal from a stable molecule to complete the "pairing". This molecule from which the electron was stolen now becomes a free radical and looks around to find another electron to complete itself. Thus a chain reaction has started. If this continues a lot of damage will be done. However if there is a presence of antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C or E, they donate one of their electrons thus ending the electron-stealing situation. Antioxidants don't become free radicals because they remain stable in either form.

Cigarette smoking will accelerate aging. Those who smoke 10 or more cigarettes daily over a minimum of 10 years or more will likely develop wrinkles and leathery skin. A study was done in 2002 that showed that facial wrinkling not yet visible, could be seen under a microscope in people who smoked as young as 20.

The signs of aging can be diminished, and even avoided, by stopping smoking. Those who quit after smoking for years, will begin to have better skin tone and less wrinkling.

Daily exposure to pollutants, harsh soaps or cleaning products made from chemicals is also a very real threat to our skin. Protective gloves and a good moisturizer will help alleviate these potential problems.

If you are looking for over the counter products become familiar with the words "Alpha hydroxy acid" or AHA's in anti aging products. These are acids such as glycolic from sugar cane, citric from citrus fruits, lactic from grapes and malic from apples. Within limits these AHA's actually can make the skin smoother.

These fruit acids work by exfoliating dead skin cells and allowing the newer younger cells to come to the surface. AHAs are attractive to consumers because they supposedly have the ability to reduce wrinkles, spots, and other signs of aging such as sun-damage. There is some scientific evidence to suggest that they may work.

There is a caution that being an acid, AHA's may irritate sensitive skin. Also being used over a long period of time the skin has shown to become sensitive to the sun. Rule of thumb is to use a product with the AHA at a 10 percent or less concentration. Make certain that sunscreen products are used and check that the product has a pH of 3.5 or higher.

The human pH value (acidity of skin) is somewhere between 4.5 and 6 with 7 being neutral. As we age the skin becomes more neutral, weakens and has difficulty fighting off bacteria. The significance of choosing a good pH in skin care becomes vitally important especially if the pH goes beyond 6 when significant problems can occur.

A bottom-line simple treatment to help the skin - drink plenty of water to keep it hydrated. Remember that any moisturizers that are used only keep moisture in, they do not add moisture.

Protecting the skin against aging is a battle but it can be won with the use of the right antiaging products. If you find all of this is confusing there are tips, treatments and testimonials out there to help you make an informed decision. And certainly if there are real issues where a simple skin care treatment wont or cant help, get advice from your doctor.

Aging skin is going to happen but keeping a healthy youthful appearance is up to you.