Why do some women age better than others? Could it be secretive Botox? A lifelong affinity for sunscreen? Or are they just born lucky? In fact, new research revealed by Olay this week suggests that those of us who age better basically won big in the genetic lottery.
In their Multi-Decade and Ethnicity Study, Olay managed to identify what they describe as ‘exceptional skin agers’ – women who, against the odds, look around ten years younger than they are. Among these women, Olay found a unique skin ‘fingerprint’, made up of around 2,000 genes, that could be the key to their seemingly eternal youth.
While we all possess these genes, the way the genes are expressed in ‘exceptional skin ages’ is different to the average person. “What’s exciting about these findings is that the genes that make up this fingerprint may hold the key to successful ageing.
Decoding which pathways they affect, and understanding why they are acting differently in these women, “ nature or nurture”, can enable Olay researchers to help more women achieve skin that looks like the exception, not the rule, at any stage of life,” said Dr. Rosemarie Osborne, Procter & Gamble Beauty Research Fellow.
When it comes to Caucasian women, who generally tend to age more rapidly than women of colour, there were a few ‘tipping points’ identified that can really increase the rate of skin deterioration. Loss of antioxidants in our 20s and the decline of skin’s effectiveness as a barrier in our 50s, for example, more acutely accelerate the ageing process.
The good news of us who didn’t hit the genetic jackpot is that some of the key ingredients in Olay Regenerist’s range, including OliveM and Lyslastine have been shown to switch on the gene expression associated with younger-looking skin.
See more information in the infographic below…
