The skin has an amazing array of functions. It envelops the body providing a flexible, air and watertight barrier between our body’s tissues and the environment. It provides protection from a range of harmful environmental factors such as temperature, mechanical injury, radiation, chemicals and toxins, bacteria, viruses and parasites, to name a few. The skin regulates our body’s temperature in a number of ways such as insulation, perspiration and blood circulation. The skin also contains five kinds of sensory nerve receptors to form the somatosensory system which provides feedback to the brain about the immediate environment. Last but certainly not least, the skin also plays an aesthetic role. For better or worse, society holds aesthetics in high regard. For this reason, most are concerned about appearance and a major part of that is the condition of the skin. Generally speaking, people try to look after or improve their skin by using topical products and services, a testament to the size of the beauty industry. Most however, don’t give much thought to the fact that skin condition is not just a reflection of how the skin is maintained externally, but is also a result of internal health. The body, and in-turn skin, needs the correct care, conditions and nutrients in order to function and look its best. This is why we need to go back to the basics. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is divided into three layers, the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer. It contains about 70% water, with the remainder being protein, fats (approx. 50% ceramides, 35% cholesterol and 15% free fatty acids), trace minerals, nucleic acids and numerous other elements. The epidermis is relatively thin and is made up of three main groups of cells. The main cells are keratinocytes (skin cells). These develop in the subcutaneous layer and, over approximately one month, migrate to the stratum corneum (surface) where they are shed. Mental note: remember the ‘stratum corneum’ as we will discuss this a lot more in posts to come. The other two main cells are melanocytes (pigment cells) and langerhans cells (immune cells). Next is the dermis. This is a much deeper layer at approximately 20 to 30 times thicker. Here you can find the specialized proteins of collagen and elastin that form various sizes and types of fibers. Other types of proteins form a complex gel that surround these fibers creating an area called the extracellular matrix. The lower most layer, where keratinocytes are formed, has a number of functions. It houses blood and lymphatic vessels as well as nerves. This layer also contains collagen fibers along with other substances called proteoglycans or glycosoaminoglycans (GAGs). Here you can find fat cells which, don’t just help prevent the body from the cold, but also provide protection from mechanical injury. The thickness of this layer varies depending on the person and the body area. Like everything in the body, the skin requires certain nutrients to make constituents such as keratin, elastin, collagen and GAGs. Essentially, the body should get all these nutrients from food. Some people though, end up more deficient in these nutrients than others, which may be why certain people look worse off than others for their age. Without the key nutrients, lifestyle and environmental factors, skin begins to deteriorate and signs of aging, such as wrinkles and age spots develop. Skin therapy and supplementing the skin with nutrients, can however slow down the aging process. The trouble is, we assume skincare products and services, which provide short term improvements, will also be beneficial in the long term. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. Arguably one of the most important things to consider is how to support and enhance the skin’s ability to function and regenerate effectively. Second to this are the long term effects of what skin is exposed to. These two factors will greatly affect the skin’s ability to function optimally for many years to come. Achieving a balance doesn’t just involve using the right products, but reviewing what is going on internally to cause symptoms and treat conditions such as pigmentation, acne, rosacea, broken capillaries etc. It is essential to address the cause and not just the symptom. Stay tuned for upcoming hints tips and information on how to effectively look after and treat your skin and your health.