Skin health overview:

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It covers the entire body and protects it from pathogens and bacteria. It regulates the body’s temperature and sweat levels and synthesizes vitamin D that helps form strong bones. 

The skin also helps people feel and detect changes in their environment because it alerts us to changes in outside temperature. It is connected to different nerves, which helps people feel sensations, such as touch or pain, protecting them from potential danger.   

Many factors can impact skin health and cause skin aging, such as environmental factors, genetics, and sleep quality. And, as we get older, the skin becomes thinner, dry, dull, and damaged because it contains less collagen and elastin than it did when we were younger.

Collagen and elastin are proteins that strengthen and preserve the skin’s structure. The lack of collagen affects the skin’s structural integrity, which causes sagging skin and wrinkles. 

The environment is a significant factor that can affect skin health. Climate and weather conditions, sun exposure, and pollution levels are all factors that can damage the skin. 

For instance, if people live in dry and sunny climates, they have to make sure they moisturize their skin so it can retain moisture. They also have to wear sunscreen to protect their skin barrier from UV radiation that can damage the skin’s DNA and cause the accumulation of free radicals in the skin.

Air pollution also greatly impacts skin quality. The constant exposure to air pollutants like exhaust and cigarette smoke can accelerate the process of aging because pollutants contain free radicals that can accumulate on the skin’s surface, causing inflammation and damaging the skin’s DNA.

In addition, sleep is an important factor that helps maintain skin health. During sleep, the skin recovers from exposure to the sun and air pollution and repairs itself. Lack of sleep prevents collagen from repairing all the damage the skin may have suffered during the day.  

Signs of healthy skin include having a smooth texture, an even and consistent color, no wrinkles, cracks, or signs of redness. 

Skin quality and vitality have always been an indicator of beauty and youthfulness. And now, more than ever, skin appearance and anti-aging became trendy and important topics, and young and glowing skin a marker of beauty and overall health.