How much do you know about your skin? Here are six skin facts you need to know to have a better understanding of your skin to better care for it.
1. Skin Elasticity
Skin elasticity is the skin’s ability to stretch and go back to normal once the stretch is removed. The elasticity and structure of your skin is maintained by two vital proteins called elastin and collagen. Reduced skin elasticity is known as elastosis and is an unavoidable result of the ageing process and damage from environmental factors.
2. Elastosis
Elastosis can be reduced by avoiding smoking, limiting sun exposure, eating well, drinking adequate amounts of water, and certain supplements, creams and oils.
3. Hydration
Keeping skin well hydrated and supple is your best defence against elastosis. You do this by drinking good amounts of water and eating well, and by using liberal amounts of topical creams and oils.
4. Diet
Eating well involves eating foods rich in vitamin A, C and E. Green leafy vegetables contain all three but other Vitamin A rich foods include sweet potato, carrots, dried apricots and tomatoes. Vitamin E rich foods include fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds. Most fruits and vegetables provide good amounts of Vitamin C.
5. Ingredients
Application of various creams and oils have been shown to improve skin elasticity and slow the ageing process. Products that contain vitamin A, C and E have been shown to help, as well as those containing certain essential oils – such as chamomile, carrot seed, calendula, neroli, lemon and geranium.
6. Application
When applying topical creams or oils, how you apply them can be just as important as what you are applying. For instance, massaging the cream or oil in with moderate pressure and in a circular motion, will not only help the product to be absorbed but will stimulate the underlying skin circulation. This in turn increases blood flow, increases nutrition to the cells, brings more oxygen to the area (naturally anti-ageing in itself), and increases collagen production.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Dr. Charlotte Middleton is an Integrative Medical Practitioner who has a very broad medical background. She is passionate about Women's and Children's Health, and is out to educate others that health is about your overall lifestyle choices.
Dr Charlotte recently joined Bio-Oil to discuss skin issues including scars, stretch marks, uneven skin at an event in Sydney.
Agree (0)
Disagree (
__small.png)
