Anti-aging is one of the most beautiful promises made by the cosmetics industry. But how can we see things clearly with everything cosmetic brands are offering? What can we believe between magical promises and scientific realities?

At La Canopée, we always love sharing our knowledge of skin biology, as well as our discoveries in green chemistry. If you want to know more about your skin and what you can really expect from anti-aging in cosmetics, follow the expert!

The skin aging process is a natural one. As a 100% natural brand and experts in skin biology, one might question the relevance of fighting against nature. In a way, it is necessary to accept that our body and skin evolve throughout our lives and that the appearance of the signs of aging, such as wrinkles, loss of firmness, and bounce, are part of life.

While we must on one hand deconstruct the myth of eternal youth, we can nevertheless hope for what we call at La Canopée "aging better"!

While skin aging is a natural process, there are still factors that accelerate this aging:

☀️ The sun: this is the major factor in accelerating skin aging. It can cause pigment spots, but also alter the hydrolipidic film and, depending on the degree of burning, cause irreversible damage to the epidermis and dermis.

🚬 Pollution and smoking: these pollutants drastically accelerate the oxidative stress of skin cells, alter blood capillary circulation, and also damage collagen and elastin.

🍏Lifestyle: and in particular an unbalanced diet, acts from the inside on the quality of the skin. Not giving our skin the right nutrients, both externally and internally, can considerably accelerate skin aging.

🧘‍♀️ Stress: unfortunately, it is part of our lives and has a direct impact on our health and beauty.

We define "aging better" as being kind to yourself. A fair balance between accepting and normalizing the signs of aging, and doing one's best to slow down that same process. What seems essential to us is to support the relationship we maintain with our reflection in the mirror. Always liking yourself in the mirror and always being happy to take care of yourself is our ultimate goal!

To tell the truth, many things, because natural cosmetics can fight against the factors that accelerate skin aging, and also slow down the aging process.

What exactly happens when we age?

↘️ Decreased production of collagen and elastin: These proteins are responsible for the firmness and elasticity of the skin. Their production decreases naturally with age, which leads to a loss of firmness and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

↘️ Reduced cell regeneration: Skin cells renew themselves less quickly, which can lead to an uneven and dull skin texture.

↘️ Thinning of the subcutaneous fat layer: This can make the skin more susceptible to damage and wrinkles. Under the weight of gravity, fat sags and the skin follows this movement.

Effective solutions to fight against these aging factors:

Green chemistry has more than one trick up its sleeve to provide beautiful anti-aging solutions, and we can therefore act in 3 different ways:

👍 Fight against oxidative stress: protect skin cells by providing antioxidants. They act as a protective barrier and considerably slow down the rate of cell aging.

👍 Hydrate and plump: this is compensating for the loss of water in our skin and strengthening the hydrolipidic film.

👍 Energize the dermis: this means calling upon active ingredients that will stimulate our skin, which tends to slow down its production of collagen and elastin, but also stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation.

Now that we know what we need to fight against, it is important to know which natural ingredients allow us to be effective in anti-aging. The active ingredients you absolutely must have in your natural cosmetic routine:

Antioxidants:

Generally speaking, antioxidants, which are a large family, are essential for slowing down skin aging by creating a protective barrier. They protect the skin against damage caused by free radicals created by environmental factors. By neutralizing these free radicals, antioxidants help prevent premature skin aging. They reduce inflammation and promote a healthier complexion. They are essential for maintaining the youth and vitality of the skin!

Glycerin and inulin:

These are hygroscopic active ingredients. They are two sugars that attract water and therefore help to boost hydration. Maintaining hydration is extremely important in the anti-aging fight. In other words, these active ingredients act like "water magnets", preventing the skin from becoming dry by maintaining its optimal hydration level.

When the skin is well-hydrated, it looks more supple, soft, and luminous. Hygroscopic active ingredients also help to strengthen the skin barrier, which protects the skin against external aggressions and maintains its elasticity.

Hyaluronic acid:

the unparalleled plumping and moisturizing agent! Its quality and size play a big role in its effectiveness. Hyaluronic acid has the property of taking on 1,000 times its weight in water. It therefore captures hydration to keep it in the epidermis for longer. A small molecular size will allow for deep plumping and filling in wrinkles and fine lines. In addition to its moisturizing properties, hyaluronic acid helps to maintain skin elasticity. By filling the spaces between collagen fibers, it gives the skin a firmer and more toned appearance. Furthermore, it acts as a plumping agent, which means it can add volume to areas where the skin has lost bounce.

Regular use of products containing hyaluronic acid can help improve skin texture, reduce visible signs of aging, and give the skin a natural, healthy glow.

Coenzyme Q10:

It acts like a vitamin in our cells by activating energy production. In synergy, we combine it with vitamin E to minimize the loss of collagen in the skin as much as possible. This super-enzyme therefore ensures two crucial roles: providing energy to the cells and protecting them from oxidation. Indeed, Q10 protects the skin against damage from free radicals.

By protecting the skin's collagen and elastin, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, helping the skin remain firm and young.

It supports the cell regeneration process and thus promotes the natural renewal of the skin while providing a more luminous and uniform complexion.

Finally, it has the ability to strengthen the skin barrier, thus protecting the skin against damage caused by UV rays and other environmental factors.

Essential fatty acids : 

Omega 3, 6, and 9, found in certain vegetable oils, provide skin comfort and elasticity. These are extremely important anti-aging active ingredients that help prevent fine lines from setting in and limit water loss. Omega 3s, in particular, have anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritation and redness. Omega 6s promote cell regeneration and thus help maintain young, vibrant skin.

As for omega 9s, they act by strengthening the skin's natural lipid barrier. They help fight against external aggressors while promoting deep and lasting hydration. By combining these essential fatty acids, the skin benefits from protection against signs of premature aging while maintaining its suppleness and vitality.