Certain Lifestyle Choices May Trump Genes When it Comes to Youthful Looking Skin

Nurture has a larger effect on exceptionally youthful skin appearance than nature, according to a new study by Olay done in collaboration with personal genetics company 23andMe.

Specifically, sunscreen usage and positive attitude were correlated with younger-looking skin, while sunbathing and frequent dry skin have a negative association with skin aging.

Last year, Olay identified biological commonalities among a group of women called ‘exceptional skin agers.’ In the Multi-Decade and Ethnicities Study (MDE Study), Olay scientists found that 10 percent of women looked more than 10 years younger than their actual age and shared a unique gene expression fingerprint.  Most recently, in a study with more than 155,000 participants conducted in collaboration with 23andMe, Olay researchers learned that women can take control to achieve exceptional skin aging.

The new findings are slated to be presented at the 2017 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in Orlando.

In the study, women who almost always used sunscreen were 78 percent more likely to be an exceptional skin ager, compared to women who almost never do. In addition, women who reported they had a positive attitude towards themselves were 30 percent more likely to be an exceptional skin ager. Similarly, women with less than ideal skincare habits were less likely to achieve successful skin aging. Women who frequently sunbathed were 35 percent less likely to be an exceptional skin ager and those women who frequently or always suffered from dry skin were 30 percent less likely to be an exceptional skin ager, the study showed.

Additional positive predictors included: activity and energy levels, living in an urban area, regular exercise, eight or more hours of sleep a night, multi-vitamin usage and high self-rated health. Additional negative predictors included: smoking cigarettes and a body mass index of over 25.

"In this study, having skin that looks exceptionally young – ageless – was not down to luck; genetics plays some role, but factors within women's control have larger effects. Future genomics and genetics research might enable us to provide increasingly personalized services and product solutions for women around the world,” says Dr. Frauke Neuser, Principal Scientist, Olay Skin Care, P&G, in a news release

Olay re-engineered some of its products with new ingredients to help more women’s skin look ageless. Specifically, several new or reformulated Olay Regenerist, Luminous and Total Effects products, containing Carob Seed Extract, carnosine or increased amounts of antioxidants, will be available at local retailers beginning January 2017.