Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Aging: What’s Really Causing Your Skin to Age?

Ever wonder why some signs of aging just seem to happen with time — while others feel like they come out of nowhere after a few summers in the sun? That’s the difference between intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging.

Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand — and super helpful if you’re building a skincare routine that actually works.

What is Intrinsic Aging?

Think of intrinsic aging as your natural aging process — the kind that happens even if you lived in a bubble with perfect skincare.

This type of aging is genetically programmed and happens over time. It usually starts in your mid-20s and accelerates after menopause (due to hormone changes).

What Happens to Your Skin:

• Skin becomes thinner and drier

• You lose collagen and elastin, so skin gets saggy and less bouncy

• Fine lines appear — especially around the eyes and mouth

• Cell turnover slows down, so skin looks dull

• Less hyaluronic acid, so skin feels less plump

Why It Happens:

• Your cells stop renewing like they used to

• Collagen and elastin production slows down

• Hormone levels drop (especially estrogen)

• Your body accumulates “tired” cells that don’t work well

What You Can Do:

• Use peptides to encourage collagen production

• Try retinoids to speed up cell turnover

• Consider antioxidants (like resveratrol or NAD boosters) to fight internal stress

• Ask your doctor about topical hormone therapies if you're post-menopausal

What is Extrinsic Aging?

This is the aging you can see — and in many cases, prevent. It’s caused by external factors like:

• Sun exposure (aka photoaging)

• Pollution

• Smoking

• High sugar diets

• Poor skincare habits

What Happens to Your Skin:

• Sun spots, uneven pigmentation

• Deep wrinkles and sagging, especially on areas like the cheeks and neck

• Rough skin texture

• Yellow or leathery tone

• Enlarged pores and visible blood vessels

Why It Happens:

• UV rays damage your skin cells and break down collagen

• Pollution and UV trigger inflammation and oxidative stress

• Sugar leads to glycation, which makes collagen stiff and brittle

• Smoking starves your skin of oxygen and nutrients

What You Can Do:

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day (yes, even when it’s cloudy)

• Load up on topical antioxidants (Vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid)

• Use retinoids to help rebuild collagen and smooth texture

• Try anti-glycation ingredients like carnosine

• Look for DNA-repair serums with enzymes like photolyase