Complexion Is More Than Skin Deep
Our skin is the largest organ in our body. It serves as our protective outside layer to the world around us. Serving in that process are millions of microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, viruses and mites. “Symbiotic microorganisms occupy a wide range of skin niches and protect against invasion by more pathogenic or harmful organisms.” (Grice) In short, our skin’s microbiota is essential to serve as a protective barrier. So how can we help protect our skin and support the beneficial role it plays in our body’s system?
First off is understanding the layers of skin and how it grows and renews itself. The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin. It contains keratinocytes which harden and help form the protective barrier. The epidermis is also composed of melanocytes (determines skin color), lymphocytes and Langerhans cells (help fight germs), and merkel cells (help us sense pressure).
The next layer is the dermis. This layer is collagen dense and full of capillaries and nerve fibers. The dermis plays a vital role in elasticity, body temperature and receiving oxygen and nutrients from the blood in the capillaries. (One reason why eating nourishing foods matters when it comes to skin health).
The final layer is the subcutis. It contains fat and connective tissue that help add cushion to protect our organs and joints. It also includes blood vessels, lymph vessels, sweat glands, and hair roots. The subcutis is where some hormones are produced, including Vitamin D which is made when we are exposed to sunlight. (Informedhealth.org)
As skin regenerates, the older cells are pushed to the top. The body has an innate system to replenish and refresh your skin. The question is, how are we damaging our skin? One way is by using conventional soaps. Most soaps are made with a pH much higher than our natural skin pH. This strips our skin of the natural oils and can trigger excess oil production as a protective instinct. Other times it can result in dryness, eczema or other skin conditions. (Pahr) We can support our natural skin regeneration by switching to oil based cleansers. One of my favorites is Aleavia because it has prebiotics that help feed the skin’s microbiome and it is made of nourishing oils.
If you read my June newsletter, you read my recommendation of switching to clean makeup. (sign up to receive newsletters here) There are so many things that we lather on our skin that disrupt the natural functions of growth. With the right makeup, you can dress up and still nourish your skin. I mentioned ARAZA beauty. I have loved this brand because it has coconut cream based foundation as well as mineral and oil infused powders and tints. It does not use PUFAs (polyunsaturated fats). The reason this is so important is because PUFAs are unstable when exposed to heat because of their double bond structure. They are more likely to become oxidized and create free radicals which are associated with cancer and aging. So why would we put them on our face, when that is the area with highest exposure to the sun!? ARAZA products also include sun protection through nano zinc oxide. There is so much more to share so be on the lookout for an exclusive blog post dedicated to specific ARAZA products and the benefits.
Until then, evaluate the products that you are using on your skin. It could be makeup, lotions, soaps, sunscreens, or exfoliators. Are they supporting your skin’s microbiome or damaging it? Our skin is an amazing and intricate system in our body. We can care for it by learning how it functions and what it needs to be properly nourished. In most cases, that means simplifying your skincare routine. You can save money and save your skin! It’s a win-win!
References:
Grice, Elizabeth A, and Julia A Segre. “The skin microbiome.” Nature reviews. Microbiology vol. 9,4 (2011): 244-53. doi:10.1038/nrmicro2537
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. How does skin work? 2009 Sep 28 [Updated 2019 Apr 11].Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279255/
Pahr, Kristi. “Why Soap Is the Least Natural Way to Clean Your Skin.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 28 Aug. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/is-soap-bad-for-skin#Conventional-soaps-can-damage-your-skin.
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