Feed Your Skin!

Feed Your Skin!

29 April 2022

This month's article focuses on what is the largest and heaviest organ in the human body: the skin. This is because there is a growing concern regarding the adoption of a daily skincare routine, largely due to the development of digital platforms that have undoubtedly revolutionized the dermocosmetics market.

The truth is that, nowadays, we can easily find opinions about almost any product, advice on aesthetic procedures, and routines adapted to each skin type. However, as we know, not all the information available is, effectively, based on studies that support it, nor is it indicative that it suits our true needs. Hence the importance of being aware of the particularities of our skin and organism, as well as the habits and lifestyles we adopt. In addition, seeking the advice of a specialized professional is always important so that we can respond to our main concerns, whether they are related to the appearance of the first signs of aging or the prevention and treatment of skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis. , rosacea or hyperpigmentation.

Bearing this in mind, did you know, for example, that this huge barrier that protects the human body, and which is completely renewed every 28 days, is essentially made up of three layers? Yes, it's true! They are the epidermis, which is the most superficial layer of the skin and, as such, protects the body against external aggressors; the dermis, which is where collagen and elastin fibers, blood and lymphatic vessels, and the sebaceous and sweat glands are located; and, finally, the hypodermis, which represents the deepest layer of the skin and which is essentially made up of connective tissue cells (such as adipocytes), thus functioning as an energy reservoir and allowing the maintenance of the body temperature.

Knowing the structure and properties of the skin is fundamental so that we can pay attention to it. It was for this purpose that I decided to bring you this topic: so that I could show you the importance of taking good care of your skin and how a consistent daily care routine will make it more beautiful and healthier. Despite the countless tips and tricks you can find out there, the real secret to well-cared skin lies in three fundamental steps: cleaning, hydration/nutrition, and sun protection. However, we all know that the state of our skin reflects our habits, so it is essential that we stay properly hydrated, nourished, and active.

That said, I leave you with some recommendations to take the first steps in building a skincare routine:

  • Step 1: Cleanse your skin with the right products!

The skin must be cleansed with warm water and with the help of products (lotions, foams, gels, etc.) that are soft and with few surfactants, in order to avoid the destruction of the stratum corneum of the skin and the imbalance of its hydrolipidic film. This works as an impermeable barrier to acidic pH and external aggressions, whose composition interferes with the properties and functionality of the skin.

  • Step 2: Keep your skin properly hydrated and nourished!

Moisturizing and nourishing the skin is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier and improving skin texture. Several studies argue that the ideal proportions for healthy and balanced skin are: 70% protein; 15% lipids and 13% water. But what, after all, is the difference between hydrated skin and nourished skin? Simply put, hydration refers to the amount of water we supply to our skin that prevents it from becoming dry or looking rough and tired. That is why it is important to apply a daily moisturizer (with a richer or more fluid texture, depending on the skin type) to restore the skin's elasticity and smoothness. On the other hand, nutrition consists of supplying lipids to the skin, improving its structural characteristics and allowing, in this sense, the regeneration of keratinocytes and the delay in the appearance of signs of aging such as sagging, fine lines, and atrophy of the subcutaneous tissue. As such, nourishing the skin consists, above all, of providing it with fat (e.g. ceramides and phospholipids).

  • Step 3: Protect your skin from solar radiation!

In order to enjoy the sun safely, choose the clothes you wear in times of greater heat, avoid direct sun exposure at the most dangerous hours (from 11 am to 4 pm) and never forget to apply sunscreen daily. This is the real secret to preventing photoaging and the appearance of blemishes on the skin and, as they say, “prevention is better than cure”.

Now that you know the main precautions you should take on a daily basis, I would like us to go back a little and pay attention to the 2nd step. As you may have noticed, the amount of water we drink influences the state of hydration or dehydration of our skin, as well as what we eat is reflected in its nutrition. And if the idea is to have a healthy and balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals that allow our body to perform all its functions in the best way, the truth is that we do not always succeed. In addition, the age factor is often decisive in the synthesis of some of the essential compounds for the functioning of our organism. Therefore, when this is the case, the solution may be to use food supplements that help us to meet our needs. Perhaps you have heard of nutricosmetics, a concept that emerged to designate food supplements designed to promote “beauty”. These products are essentially used to improve skin, hair, nails, and slimming processes, as they contain vitamins, fatty acids, trace elements, proteins, and probiotics. As far as the skin is concerned, these oral cosmetics, which are mostly in the form of capsules and powders, are mainly indicated to improve density, firmness, and hydration, preventing aging. Hence, the main nutricosmetics available on the market are made up of vitamins such as vitamin C and E, minerals such as selenium and zinc, and proteins and biopolymers such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, respectively. And, if we hear more and more about the benefits of these last two, what are their functions that make them so important for our body?

Well, as for collagen, it is very important for the body because it is through its fibers that cohesion between tissues is possible and that our bones, tendons, and cartilage are resistant, elastic, and flexible. However, with advancing age, the capacity for collagen synthesis decreases and, therefore, the need to supplement our body with hydrolyzed collagen peptides (which, due to their size, are more easily absorbed by the body), increases. It is not only necessary to take into account the needs of our skin, but also the needs of our musculoskeletal system.

On the other hand, hyaluronic acid is a macromolecule responsible for filling intercellular spaces and hydrating the skin, as it binds to a large number of water molecules. As such, it allows the oxygenation and regeneration of the skin and, therefore, contributes to the increase of its firmness and elasticity. Since it has different molecular weights, hyaluronic acid is also able to penetrate different layers of the skin, making it smoother and plumper, which contributes to the prevention of premature skin aging. Furthermore, did you know that hyaluronic acid is also essential to guarantee the synthesis of new collagen and elastin fibers and that, like collagen, it is less synthesized with advancing age?

The truth is that, as we have seen, there is indeed a need to restore the levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid that are lost with age. This notion has allowed that, nowadays, nutricosmetics with these constituents are effectively widely used in order to provide the necessary nutrients to the skin, so that it remains strong and healthy. Therefore, if you consider that your skin needs a boost of energy and vitality and that your diet is not enough to meet your body's needs, I invite you to discover the products of the French brand Biocyte.

Anyway, and despite considering that supplementation can be an asset to stimulate the potential of our skin, I emphasize that taking nutricosmetics will only make sense after personalized nutritional advice, because, as I say over and over again, we are all different, and we all have different needs and habits! Seek the help of a professional. You can count on us to improve the health of your skin “from the inside out”.

See you soon!

 

Dr. Andreia Moreira

 

     

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