How the comprehensive attention you give your skin will affect its appearance in the future
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and wraps all our other organs and systems into one whole. Taking proper care of it is an important step in each of our daily routines, and it certainly shouldn't be neglected. So why start caring for it with intention today? We tell you in the lines below.
The sun damages your skin constantly (even when it isn't summer)
Human skin is constantly exposed to light. Even when we're at home, even when it's cloudy and raining outside, the sun never stops shining and finding a way to reach our skin. Of course, the intensity of UV rays varies from day to day and changes with the seasons, but that doesn't mean our largest organ is fully protected in winter. This is a myth that has persisted for years, and it's time to start taking care of your skin, not only when you're about to go to the beach in August.
„Most of the sun's ultraviolet rays can penetrate cloud cover and even fog. That is, you can still suffer sun damage, which can lead to skin cancer and premature aging,“ says Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D. and president of The Skin Cancer Foundation (an association fighting skin cancer, USA).
Your age is (not) just a number
Skin care doesn't start once the skin already needs it – it's good, even before we notice the first signs of aging and a lack of valuable substances, to give it quality ingredients, the right cosmetics, and our own consistency, in order to keep its smooth, firm appearance for as long as possible. You don't need to reach a certain age to start applying creams, treatments, and proper hydration. Our skin ages alongside us, and every day it is exposed to the factors we ourselves provide, such as diet, air pollution levels, supplement intake, movement, and much more. What's good to take into account is the type of care suited to your age.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises that skin care should start in a person's 20s, regardless of gender. Their „care package“ includes six steps, among which:
- Applying a product with vitamin C;
- Good sun protection every day;
- Cleansing with a gentle product;
- Adjusting the routine to the season;
- Removing makeup every night;
- Being well-informed and thinking critically about social media trends.
At a later stage, in the mid-20s and after, skin starts to become more sensitive to factors such as dryness and the appearance of the first fine lines, due to the initial loss of collagen and elastin. As the years go by it becomes increasingly thinner, while collagen, which builds all of our organs, decreases progressively by an average of about 1% per year. That is exactly why it's worth considering additional intake of the protein, which in turn also stimulates the additional natural production of collagen, elastin, and keratin (a building block of hair).
RealFood Collagen Complex is a powerful combination of hydrolyzed collagen with vitamin C, extracted from acerola and a direct cofactor of collagen, hyaluronic acid, specially designed to act on the skin, as well as zinc, which is also a cofactor of the protein.
The key substances for healthy, radiant skin are a game changer
Care from within is of primary importance to the look and feel of the skin. No matter how many serums and creams are used, if we don't give the skin the necessary „nourishment“ through a varied diet, enough of the substances valuable to it, and an optimal amount of water, we can't expect an instant, effective result. Our influence on skin health is a complex process that requires consistency and a good routine.
One of the key factors when taking vitamin C, collagen, magnesium, or any other supplement is to take it regularly – meaning not making long, unplanned breaks, which would undo any effect already achieved.* You don't need to wait for the symptoms of a deficiency in a particular substance to appear (for example, in the case of collagen deficiency in the skin, these are dehydration, sagging, fine lines, flaking) before considering adding that particular substance to your routine.
*For individual medical conditions, we always recommend consulting a doctor regarding the duration of intake and the type of supplement itself. We are not doctors, and only a specialist can give personalized attention to each individual case.
Bad habits are enemies of a beneficial routine
No matter how well-structured a routine you have – tailored to your personal needs, to the season and climate you're in – and no matter how consistent you are in caring for your body, small bad habits tend to creep in. Smoking is one of these bad habits, which progressively destroys the skin's collagen fibers and also interferes with the body's natural collagen synthesis. The skin becomes lax and sags, while visible fine lines become more pronounced. This study provides evidence that in smokers, the synthesis of type 1 and 3 collagen in the skin is reduced by 22% compared to non-smokers.
Balance in the consumption of sugary foods also directly affects collagen and elastin in the skin. When sugar binds to collagen fibers, they become stiff, brittle, and lose their ability to regenerate. This leads to a loss of elasticity, the formation of wrinkles, and thinning of areas of the skin (especially on the face).
The daily, comprehensive care we give our health can shape how we'll feel in the future. The attention you give your skin today will be reflected in its appearance tomorrow. Adapting to your skin type, your habits, the climate, and the substances your body needs are only part of the factors that are good to include when choosing the right „skin routine.“
