Collagen & Elastin Two Ways To Be Youthful
Collagen and elastin are two important components that firm the skin and make it appear more youthful. There are many skin care products in the market that claim to boost the production of collagen and elastin fibers and thus reverse the signs of aging.
Collagen and Elastin
These skin proteins are water binding and thus help keep the skin soft, supple and moisturized. They are present in the dermis layer of the skin. Both the collagen and elastin fibers work in synergy with one another and provide a foundation for the skin. While Collagen supports the epidermis layer and prevents it from collapsing on the bones and muscles, Elastin fibers grants the skin its elasticity allowing it to stretch and flex without snapping.
Effect of the Aging Process
As we age, our body weakens and so does our skin. This takes a toll on the production of collagen and elastin fibers within the skin surface. As the collagen and elastin levels deplete, the skin becomes thinner and begins to sag. This allows for the appearance of wrinkles and fine facial lines.
Moreover, environmental factors like pollution andsun damage also have a detrimental effect on the collagen and elastin levels in the skin. Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure is a major cause of skin wrinkling and formation of facial lines. In fact, sun damage takes a heavy toll on the skin. It changes the skin tone, ruins the skin texture and density and leaves behind age spots, freckles and pigmentation issues. In severe cases, it can also promote skin cancer. Apart from sun damage, collagen and elastin fibers are also influenced by alcohol, smoking and poor dietary habits.
How To Prevent Damage to Collagen and Elastin
When you know the factors that cause collagen and elastin levels to deteriorate, you know how to prevent the damage as well.
Avoid Sun Exposure
First, avoid excessive and unprotected exposure to sunlight. Always wear a sunscreen or sunblock that provides broad spectrum protection against UVA as well as UVB rays of the sun. Your skin is always susceptible to the harmful sun radiation. That means you need to wear sunscreen all year long, even in the winter and even on cloudy days!
Try iS Clinical SPF 25 Treatment Sunscreen. It provides broad spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays of the sun and reduces skin redness and inflammations. The best thing about this product is that it can be used even on problem skin including oily, acneic or people with Rosacea. It contains micro-fine zinc oxide and microencapsulated organic sunscreens that are combined with powerful antioxidant botanicals like centella, astiatica, olive leaf extract, and pure vitamin E. It helps to cure sunburn and prevent it!
iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen - It is a revolutionary sunscreen formulation that contains special UV blockers comprising of 25% titanium dioxide and 20% zinc oxide in a special nanotechnology formulation that protects the skin from broad spectrums of sunlight. It contains micronized mineral filters that prevent and heal sun burns at the same time while protecting the skin against harmful UVA/UVB radiations of the sun. being non-comedogenic, it does not clog skin pores and doesnt irritate the skin in any way. Since it is available in a translucent base, it can be easily brushed on the skin.
Limit Alcohol and Nicotine Intake
Alcohol and nicotine wreck havoc on skin health. Smoking narrows your blood vessels which affects the amount of nutrients and oxygen supplied to your skin. As a result, the skin becomes dull and lifeless and begins to show premature effects of aging. Alcohol has similar effects. It dehydrates the skin and destroys Vitamin A levels. Therefore, to keep your skin healthy, limit your intake of alcohol and nicotine.
Use Antioxidant Rich Skin Care Products
Make sure your skin care regimen includes a rich supply of antioxidants, especially Vitamin C. This is because vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen and elastin fibers within the body and helps prevent damage by free radicals. Vitamin A is another potent antioxidant that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and improves the overall skin texture.
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum is an amazing anti-aging formulation. It combines 15% Vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E and 1% retinol along with powerful antioxidants and olive leaf extracts. It heals the skin, improves the skin texture and prevents sun damage. The 0.5% of kojic acid in it evens out skin pigmentation and prevents the occurrence of acne. Additionally, the zinc sulfate helps reduce acne inflammation.
Dr. Marilynn Syrett is a graduate from Western University of Health Sciences. She has authored several articles about antiaging skin care products including many from Obagi and iS Clinical range of skin care products.