How to achieve healthy skin
Everyone wants to have fabulous, vibrant, healthy looking skin. It’s one of the first things we notice about each other and its appearance can either make or break our confidence. Whether it’s breakouts, allergies, or fine lines and wrinkles that are a cause for concern, there’s one common denominator that’s important for healthy looking skin and that’s making sure you have the right building blocks.
Your skin reflects your health
The appearance of your skin is a good indicator of your overall health and reflects the state of your whole body. If there’s one thing we know about clear healthy skin, it’s more than just skin deep. Everyday factors, from the foods you eat, your hair and body products, pollution, sun exposure, smoking and stress can all impact how your skin looks and feels. We believe healthy skin starts from within.
Three important building blocks
Your skin provides a hard-wearing barrier between your internal and external environment, much like a waterproof bodysuit that’s flexible, washable, resists wrinkles, keeps its shape and lasts a life time. Skin is made up of two main layers; the epidermis (outer layer) is made up of keratin and the dermis (inner layer) is made up of collagen and elastin.
1. Keratin provides a tough protective coating which acts as physical barrier for your skin, helping to protect all the underlying structures in your body, including the dermis. This is why you don’t dissolve in the bath!
2. Collagen provides flexible strength and firmness by attracting and binding water, helping to keep your skin well hydrated and ‘plumped-up’ and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Elastin provides ‘elastic’ properties, allowing your skin to stretch and bounce back to its original shape. When you smile or laugh, elastin allows your skin to stretch and then bounce back into shape once you’ve stopped smiling or laughing.
Our top 5 nutrients for skin health
1. Collagen supplements are a source of essential and non-essential amino acids specifically required for collagen production. Rich in collagen peptides, they provide the building blocks for connective tissue. They also contain a high percentage of hydroxyproline, responsible for collagen stability. See Collagen.
2. Silica is found in abundance in the skin and plays a role in the cross-linking of collagen, helping to support collagen and connective tissue formation. Silica maintains the integrity and elasticity of the skin. See Silica Hair Skin & Nails.
3. Zinc protects against free radical damage due to its antioxidant activity and supports connective tissue production, maintains skin health and supports wound healing.
4. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and essential cofactor required for collagen synthesis. Vitamin C supports skin and connective tissue health. See Vitamin C 1000 Plus.
5. Resveratrol is a polyphenol typically found in red wine with potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative stress and damage. See Resveratrol AdvantAGE.
