Skin is the largest organ in the human body, and it undergoes constant changes throughout our lifetime. With age, skin becomes thinner and less elastic. This process is called ‘skin atrophy’ and it affects everyone to some extent.

There are many factors that contribute to skin atrophy, including changes in hormones, collagen production, and cell turnover. Sun exposure, smoking, and certain medications can also make skin more fragile and susceptible to damage.

While there is no way to completely stop the skin aging process, there are ways to slow it down and prevent further damage. In this article, we will discuss the different causes of skin atrophy and provide tips on how to age gracefully!

What is thin skin?

Fragile or thin skin that tears easily is a common occurrence as we age. When skin gets to the point that it is thinning and fragile, it can look like it is as transparent as tissue paper. Generally called “crepey” skin. Unfortunately, thinning skin doesn’t just look bad but it cannot do its job: to protect you from the outside environment. And oftentimes, it will feel bad, in other words, itchy and painful as well. Thin skin can appear anywhere on the body but is most notable on the face, hands and arms. A person with thin skin may find that she is able to see the veins, tendons, bones, and capillaries under the skin of their hands and arms.

The dermis is the middle layer of your skin. It's made up of thick, fibrous tissue that contains collagen and elastin. This layer provides strength, flexibility, and elasticity to your skin. Thin skin occurs when the dermis starts to thin.

Why does human skin thin with aging?

There are many factors that cause your skin to thin with age. Pollution, UV exposure and genetics all play a role in thinning skin. Some medications also can weaken the skin and blood vessels in the skin, like continued use of corticosteroids.

Our founder and chief formulator, Dr. Hannah Sivak, talks about thinning skin:

“Our skin’s excellent protection through life doesn’t come for free. Just look at it: a lifetime of defending us against the environment can lead to scars, thinning, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. With all of the damage that will occur naturally, it’s surprising (to me) that anyone would want to make it worse by smoking or tanning; plus, there are harmful “skincare” products out there, avoid those at all costs if you care about the long-term health of your skin. They include benzoyl peroxide, steroids, excessive peeling, and more.”

How the skin thins as we age

According to recent scientific research that Dr. Sivak referred to when formulating the Advanced Ageless line, the Collagen 17 protein is vital for skin cells to multiply and prosper. Skin cells that do not express this protein will divide in the wrong way and disappear from our skin rapidly, without leaving newer cells to maintain the skin barrier. Apocynin gives the skin an advantage by promoting the synthesis of collagen 17 and increasing the chances for survival of the mother cells derived from your stem cells.

Stem Cells and Your Skin

We asked Dr. Sivak how we can prevent thinning skin before it happens. She said, “Any active ingredient that prevents cell damage and DNA mutation will benefit your stem cells. So wearing sunscreens and antioxidants will prevent injury. Choose actives that encourage “anchorage” of stem cells to the dermal-epidermal junction, plus those that promote nutrition and provide “building blocks” that the skin can’t make itself, like essential fatty acids.” Our exclusive blend of antioxidants, ROS BioNet, will help fight damage to the skin that weakens its structure.

To prevent and reverse thinning skin, we need to focus on our skin stem cells and daughter cells. There are a few active ingredients that will promote anchoring the just-divided cells to the dermal/epidermal junction, increasing their chances of becoming part of your skin instead of being lost. Since we discovered how effective apocynin is at promoting the synthesis of Collagen 17, we have been talking about how good it is at taking care of aging skin. Skin Actives is the first and only skincare company talking about Collagen 17 and how it is crucial to stem cells.

Combating Thinning Skin, the Skin Actives Way

We know the skin will thin with age, but there are ways to slow down the aging process with Skin Actives. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to take care of our skin because, if we don’t, the skin cannot function correctly by keeping infections out and water in, as well as keeping us as comfortable as possible by reducing itchiness and irritation. Dr. Sivak calls it “working young,” which becomes more important than looking young. Keeping our bodies healthy includes our skin.

Skin Actives discovered the importance of Apocynin in 2019 and launched our Advanced Ageless line of products to help people over 55 prevent and reverse skin problems like thinning skin. We developed ROS* Bionet and added it into the Advanced Ageless products to help maintain the dermal-epidermal junction. ROS Bionet is a combination of 3 powerful antioxidants that help combat aging due to exposure to pollution and UV. Apocynin promotes the synthesis of a COL17A1 crucial for anchoring newly formed stem cells, and its end effect will accelerate healing, delay aging, and promote skin health. Used together, along with other scientifically proven actives, they will help keep your skin working young for a long time, by preventing collagen and elastin breakdown and promoting the continuous synthesis of healthy collagen and elastin.

All of the products in our Advanced Ageless line contain the ingredients needed to keep your skin looking and working young. In addition, use a quality sunscreen daily and don’t forget the lipids with Every Lipid Serum. 

Here is a sample daily skin routine to combat thinning skin. 

AM Routine for Aging, Thinning Skin

1. Lightly spray Anti-Aging Hydramist on face, neck, decollatage and backs of your hands.
2. Once dry, apply a small amount of Collagen Serum to the same areas and include your forearms.
3. Lightly dab on a small amount of Eye Cream around and under your eyes.
4. Next, Moisturize with your favorite moisturizer like, Hydrating and Firming Cream or Ultimate Moisturizing Cream.
5. Apply a sunscreen last before applying makeup.

PM Routine for Aging, Thinning Skin

1. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser like our Gentle Cream Cleanser or Cleansing Oil (or both).
2. Apply a small amount of Vitamin A Cream with ROS* BioNet.
3. Apply a few drops of Every Lipid Serum.

What have you done to prevent or reverse your thinning skin? Share your story with us on Facebook.