Holistic treatment is important for anti aging . They include topical agents, neutraceutical, laser treatment, exercise , nutrition, positive thinking . There are many kinds of drugs such as antioxidants , retinoids, AHA.

In general, natural agents (specifically antioxidants) are regarded better than synthetic agents. However, the severity of "exogenous aging" decides the treatment. Curcumin, lycopene, a few amino acids, Vitamin A acids, green tea constituents, citrus fruits, ascorbic acids, germ oil (Vitamin E) and Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) are established agents/sources for this condition. Selection of topical cosmeceuticals should be judiciously made as they may contain allergens for particular skin type.

You can use Aloe vera gel topically. More over you can take Vitamin E capsule orally daily one tablet of 200 to 400mg.

Avoid exposure to sunshine during the whole live .("... the skin does not forget any single photon..."), avoid drying skin, avoid using cosmetics, avoid smoking, avoid alcool, may be the most effective measures.

by Walter

Light-induced damage (photo-ageing) is generally recognised as being responsible for 80-90% of the ageing of your skin, so this is the main factor you want to deal with.

UVB radiation induces DNA damage in the epidermis. UVA radiation has more energy and induces DNA damage all the way down to the dermis, including in non-dermal tissue—such as the microvasculature—present in that layer.

While UVB radiation is responsible for more DNA damage quantitatively compared to UVAs, it is arguably less relevant to dermal ageing. First, it is responsible for melanin synthesis by melanocytes, thus partially containing further nucleic DNA damage in the context of subsequent photo-exposure. Second, since it is less penetrating than UVAs it has a lower probability of inducing DNA damage in the dermal stem cells located underneath the skin's sebaceous glands. And DNA damage really is not relevant in differentiated cells of the superficial layers as long as their apoptotic capacity remains intact (which may not be the case if the p53 gene, for instance, is affected). DNA damage in stem cells, however, can be directly linked to skin ageing, since unrepaired DNA damage, or repair imperfections, may be carried on to future progenitor cells, and as DNA damage accumulates in dermal stem cells, the proteic integrity of skin cells deteriorates over time and these cells loose more and more of their functional omneity.

The remaining 10-20% of dermal ageing can be attributed to various factors. Other exogenous insults, such as smoking, may have a significant impact on the ageing of your skin. DNA damage in dermal stem cells can be induced by mutagenic substances—such as various radioactive compounds, benzenes, formaldehyde, nitrosamines, PCBs, butadiene, styrenes, dioxins, chloroform, vinyl chloride, epoxide, ethylene oxide, acrylamide, etc—absorbed in your food, inhaled, or to which you are otherwise exposed via your environment . For a person with a healthy living, though, the major factors in those 10-20% are the same endogenous factors causing ageing across all different cell types of your body. Reactive oxygen species, for instance, are byproducts of mitochondrial activity and are capable of causing damage to both mtDNA and nuclear DNA leading over time to deterioration of both mitochondrial function and overall cellular function in the cell populations of our bodies. Since ultra-violet insult itself produces ROS, it depletes dermal cells from the antioxidants—including ascorbate (vitamin C), tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E), vitamin A (or its precursors such as β-Carotene, which can accumulate in the skin), glutathione, superoxide dismutase, etc.—which are part of their natural mechanisms to limit damage produced by endogenously generated ROS. Repleting dermal cells with these antioxidants in any manner would be somewhat beneficial in maintaining their capacity to tackle both endogenously produced ROS and UV-generated ROS.

I agree with Udompataikul's answer about holistic treatment. You must avoid evident that causes free radical production e.g. stress and sun light exposure. Both synthetic and natural ingredients have benefits and drawbacks depending on dosage, applications, etc.

Antioxidants and life close to nature

In general: maintaining cutaneous homeostasis. In details: UV and free radical/ROS protection, epidermal barrier support (to help epidermis maintain proper water content). I agree with my colleagues about holistic treatment.

Thanks, Kaisar has mentioned many natural ingredients. Many of my Indian friends like to use saffron as well. Hans has provided lots of info on photo-aging and anti-oxidants. Perhaps it's not so much natural or synthetic agents to slow down aging; perhaps it's our life-style that keeps the mind alert and happy, and the body healthy.

I am much convinced with answer by Miranda Yeoh especially, what she has written in last few lines !!

Thanks, Tariq. I have been observing that nowadays, both men and women are just as concerned about keeping healthy and staying young (linked to preventing cutaneous aging)! I hope it's not too late to wish you, and all Muslim friends 'Happy New Year, Maal Hijrah'.

Hans, it was good to read your academic report on photoaging and the dynamics of sun rays on human skin.

While there is general agreement on photoaging and sunrays, pigmentation and sunrays, use of topical sunscreens, and systemic sunscreens, to prevent sun induced changes in the epidermis and dermis, and the role of ROS in the extension of damage caused by the exposure to sunlight or more specific the UVA and The UVB rays, the question remains which is better to prevent damage natural or synthetic.

First it would be nice to know what in your opinion is natural or synthetic.

Tariq, as a pharmacist how do you define natural and synthetic products.

since in the market there are many products which claim natural extracts, and often a mix of many natural ingredients, in either oily base, or water base, with different vehicles.

we also know that some natural products act as prodrugs, and a single versus mixture of drugs has its own drug interaction.

nano medicine is here today to eliminate ROS, to facilitate better drug delivery, to limit drug overdose. should there not be a discussion on these parameters then decide or argue about natural or synthetic.

Dear Walter,

If we "Avoid exposure to sunshine during the whole live" as you said, how can our body get Vitamin D naturally (without taking supplements)? What you suggest reminds me of the famous saying: "the best way to avoid getting cancer in our life span is not to be born".

Now the answer to the main question: 

"What are the best options to slow down cutaneous aging in your opinion?"

To provide adequate H2O molecules and to prevent collagen destruction. The later has many approaches to achieve. Let me know if you require details.