Advances in skincare health
Cleopatra was famous for her beautiful skin. They say that she ruled Egypt with an iron fist, but that fist was certainly a silky smooth one! Of course, she spent hours enhancing her beauty. What was her secret? It was said was that she soaked herself in baths of milk and honey.
Even today women want beautiful, flawless skin that radiates. And with today's advances in skincare health and technology, the secret to beautiful skin is revealed! Learning about how your skin functions can help to enhance your skincare routine and thus help to improve your complexion.
Skin Structure
The main function of the outer epidermis is to serve as a thin shield of compressed keratin containing cells that protect us from environmental assaults such as light, heat, infections, etc. The dermis is composed of connective tissue containing collagen and elastic fibers, hair follicles, oil glands, the ducts of sweat glands and a small amount of fatty tissue. These collagen and elastic fibers support our skin and endow it with its elastic qualities. It gives our skin the ability to stretch and then return to shape in good order.
Oil glands secrete sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that keeps the skin soft and pliable. It also helps to retain moisture in the skin. Sweat glands secrete sweat. Perspiration helps to regulate body temperature and eliminate toxins. These glands need to function well in order to have healthy skin.
Day Skincare is Essential
The environment can cause skin to age prematurely. Environmental factors such as UV rays, the weather, and stress contribute to excess free radical activity. This leads to cell damage.
About 90 percent of premature aging is caused by damage from UV rays. Photo-aging damages the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. UVA rays are responsible for wrinkling, tanning and can cause melanoma. UVB rays cause sunburns. This is known as photo-aging.
One more important environmental factor affecting skin is winter. As the air temperature decreases, the moisture level decreases. This leads to dry skin, which leads to chafing and itching.
Day Skincare – Protection for Your Skin
Since UV radiation is a major reason for premature aging, it can be avoided by a proper skincare treatment. A daytime moisturizer with a good sunscreen is vital. Even incidental rays that come in contact with your skin during the day can cumulatively affect the skin.
A good day skincare is beneficial for maintaining young skin. The primary goal is to protect your skin from cellular damage and safeguard it from environmental factors.
Ingredients that you should look for in a good day cream include:
- Zinc Oxide1 and Titanium Dioxide2 these are the best physical sun blocks. Physical sun blocks reflect or scatter the UV radiations before they reach your skin. Both provide UVA and UVB protection and are gentle enough for everyday use, and best of all, they are FDA approved.
- DL Alpha Tocopherol 3 Vitamin E, used in this form, is a powerful antioxidant, protecting your skin cells from oxidation and neutralizing unstable free radicals. It also helps your skin to look younger, promoting rejuvenation and cuts down the risk of scarring.
- Niacinamide4 or vitamin B3 is effective in hyperpigmentation of your skin. It can help to improve skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production. It removes the dead skin, which helps gives a youthful appearance. It acts as an effective skin barrier against pollutants and bacteria. It is well tolerated by all skin types.
- Panthenol 5 or vitamin B5 penetrates deep into your skin layers and hydrates it, reducing dryness. It reduces itching and irritation produced by dryness of skin. It acts as a best non toxic moisturizer.
A good cream like, DaySkin, will take care of your skin throughout the day helping to keep it young and fresh, even when your skin is exposed to sunlight and winter air.
References:
- Microfine zinc oxide (Z-cote) as a photo stable UVA/UVB sun block agent, J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999 Jan;40(1):85-90, PMID: 9922017
- Efficacy of micronized titanium dioxide-containing compounds in protection against UVB-induced immunosuppression in humans in vivo.
- Valko M, Leibfritz D, Moncol J, Cronin MT, Mazur M, Telser J: Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2007, 39(1):44-84.
- Hakozaki T, Minwalla L, Zhuang J, Chhoa M, Matsubara A, Miyamoto K et al. (2002) The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer. Br J Dermatol 147:20–31
- In 1987, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) concluded that panthenol was safe to use in cosmetics as an emollient and moisturizer.
van der Molen RG - J Photochem Photobiol B - 10-JUL-1998; 44(2): 143-50.
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