The Number One Thing that Reveals a Woman’s Age: Revealed

For years, patients and dermatologists alike have tried to discern what ages the skin the most:  Wrinkles?  Sagging?  Blotchiness?  Loss of luster?  Now researchers have determined that the number one thing that affects perceived skin age is skin’s coloration – that is, clarity and evenness.

In the study, Fink et. al. converted skin tone information from digital photographs of actual faces into 3D illustrations that kept facial structure, hair color and style, and eye color constant. Raters then evaluated the 3D creations and photographs for youthfulness, age, health, and attractiveness. The estimated age range for the 3D figures appears to be 20-31; while the actual age range of the photographed women was 11-76 (mean=37.39, S.D.=17.35). This suggests that skin coloration alone contributed about 12 years to age.

Considering the fact that further research has shown that women’s skin ages more quickly than men’s, it is a great thing then that women who wish to look younger can use cosmetics to make their skin look more smooth.  In fact, women often report that they feel they look younger than men of a similar age do, but it makes sense – women can use cosmetics to keep their skin looking more even-toned – the number one sign of skin’s youth!  

How to Keep Your Skin Looking Even 

Several treatments have been established in independent scientific research studies to be effective against hyperpigmentation, including:

• *TriLuma (0.01% fluocinolone, 4% hydroquinone, and 0.05% tretinoin).  FDA approved for the treatment of melasma, available by prescription.
• 4% hydroquinone.  Available by prescription only. 
• Peter Thomas Roth Ultra Gentle Skin Lightening Gel Complex with Hydroquinone (kojic acid, glycolic acid and 2% hydroquinone), and  Age Advantage Laboratories Spot Life Serum (unknown concentrations of kojic acid, glycolic acid and hydroquinone).  A clinically-proven combination of ingredients is 2% kojic acid, glycolic acid, and 2% hydroquinone when used twice daily for six weeks.  These products come as close over-the-counter than any others that I have encountered.  
• Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($138.00, Dermstore.com).  I personally used this product starting at age 19, and it eradicated by existing sun spots and prevented me from getting any ever since (and I’m now 25).  Its skin-lightening ingredient is 15% L-ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C.  

Have a favorite way to keep your skin even-toned?  Share it with other readers in Comments below!

Photo courtesy Psychology of Beauty Blog.  Thank you!