Does ethnicity affect how our skin ages?

Skin colour is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. If you have fair skin, you tend to have a lower amount of melanin, which also means you are more sensitive to UV rays. It is very important to wear SPF every day to prevent sun damage. Generally, people with lighter skin are more likely to show signs of ageing earlier than people with a darker skin tone. Although the amount of melanin in darker skin provides stronger photoprotection, it can be unstable, which makes these skin groups more prone to dyspigmentation.

Caucasian skin is fragile and more likely to show an earlier loss of elastin, which causes wrinkles. Darker skin tones have a compact dermis in the deep layer of the skin with more active cells, which is why dark-skinned people usually start wrinkling 10 to 20 years later.

There are many different skin tones and types and it’s good to know how to look after yours. It is also important to understand that ageing is natural and you can’t change your genetics. Wearing SPF every day will protect your skin from sun damage and what you eat also has a huge impact on your body. Stay hydrated (2-3L of water a day) and eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins, minerals and probiotics.

But most importantly – LOVE your skin and all the flaws that come with it. Social media makes it hard for us to be happy with our bodies, but we have to remember that skin texture, fine lines, stretch marks and pigmentation are completely normal and should be embraced.

Be kind to your body, it carries your beautiful soul.