It’s estimated that the average adult loses about one layer of skin cells every three days. Actually, the skin cellular turnover happens without you even noticing every second of every day. However, some people lose more than others. Cell turnover happens every day, but it’s most noticeable during times of rapid growth such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During these times, the body produces more cells than usual, causing the skin to appear thicker and shinier. However, with increased number of cells the number of dead cells increases, resulting in duller looking skin in the long run.
When we’re stressed, our bodies release hormones such as cortisol that cause us to lose water weight and increase blood flow to our muscles. These changes lead to increased sweating and faster breathing, which causes our body temperature to rise. In turn, our skin becomes dryer and thinner, making it appear older than it really is.