Beauty

Our skin is a complex organ and works hard for us over our lifetime. It performs many important functions, protecting our bodies from pathogens, helping to regulate our temperature, and acting as a sensory organ to name but a few. It is no surprise that as we age, our skin starts to break down, becoming thinner and less elastic over time. The evidence of this is often most noticeable in our face and so finding ways to support our skin health from the inside out through diet, hydration, and supplementation can have a big impact on how our skin looks and how we feel about ourselves overall.

Skin ageing can reveal itself in a loss of elasticity and firmness, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and in some cases hyperpigmentation in the form of age or sun spots.

This damage can be caused by a number of factors which fall into three broad categories:

We know what causes skin ageing but what actually happens in the body as a result of these internal, environmental, and lifestyle factors is the subject of much research.

There are four core theories as to what is taking place:

Free radicals - molecules that can cause damage in our bodies - are one of the main causes of skin ageing. If there is an imbalance between free radicals and our body’s ability to get rid of them, this can lead to oxidative stress which can detrimentally affect the functioning of cells within the body. It is this damage which can accelerate ageing and cause a decrease in the collagen levels in skin tissue, leading to skin relaxation and wrinkles.

Limiting exposure to free radicals whether through environmental factors or taking steps to improve associated lifestyle factors is an important strategy for preventing skin ageing.

Senescent cells are cells in the body which have permanently stopped dividing but haven't died. They are sometimes referred to as "zombie cells" because they stay in the body but without dividing or dying. These cells release substances which can cause inflammation and damage to healthy cells which can lead to the ageing of body cells, including the skin, and is also associated with a range of ageing diseases.

Inflammation itself is also one of the major causes of senescent cells. Inflammation can cause fibroblasts (cells which contribute to connective tissue and secrete collagen proteins) and keratinocytes (cells that form the outer layer of the skin) to become senescent and stop doing their jobs. These senescent cells then release substances which cause more inflammation and damage which leads to more senescent cells, and so the cycle continues.

Preventing skin cell inflammation is one of the most important strategies to help control skin cell ageing.

Ultraviolet (UV) light such as that emitted by the sun can lead to skin ageing. Long term exposure to solar UV radiation will cause photoaging, which will affect skin pigmentation, immunity, and the vascular system. Adult dermal collagen content decreases every year. This decrease can lead to visible changes to the skin structure including wrinkles and a loss of elasticity.

Exposure to UV radiation stimulates keratinocytes and fibroblasts to release substances which degrade important skin components such as collagen.

Limiting exposure to UV radiation is another important strategy to prevent skin cell ageing.

According to this theory, something called ‘glycosylation’ causes damage to proteins which in turn leads to ageing. Glycosylation is a reaction in the body between sugars, proteins, DNA, and lipids (fats). This process produces Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). The accumulation of AGEs affects skin cells and causes protein structure changes, leading to skin darkening and skin ageing. The accumulation of AGEs also leads to inflammation, which as we have seen above in ‘Inflammation Theory’ further accelerates skin ageing. The higher the levels of glycosylation, the more rapidly skin cells will age.

The formation of AGEs is irreversible, so inhibiting skin glycosylation is also one of the important ways to control skin ageing.

AGEs can be combatted with ingredients with proven capabilities to address these issues.

Whilst topical products in our skincare routines primarily affect the outer layers of the skin, intake of essential nutrients through our diet, alongside good levels of hydration and targeted supplements can reach deeper layers, improving skin structure, elasticity, and hydration from within.

Certain supplements, like collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, can be used to target specific ageing concerns, such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and uneven skin tone.

Oxidative stress from sun exposure and other factors contributes to skin ageing. Supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidants can help combat free radicals and protect against skin damage.

Collagen is a key protein for skin structure. Collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and other nutrients support collagen synthesis, and can improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Alongside increasing your intake of water and staying well hydrated, supplements can help retain moisture in the skin, contributing to a plumper, more hydrated appearance.

Certain vitamins, minerals, and botanicals play a role in overall skin health by supporting barrier function, reducing inflammation, and promoting cell regeneration.

Research suggests that certain nutrients and botanicals can help to improve different areas which can affect our skin health such as hydration, elasticity, and trans epidermal water loss which all contribute to healthier and younger-looking skin.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance which attracts and retains moisture.

There are a number of essential nutrients that play an important role when it comes to our hair, skin, and nails. Making sure we avoid micronutrient deficiencies is another way to help support our outward appearance.