How to maintain your skin elastic and firm
11 points to tell about the skin and to give tips to maintain it at its best.
1 Our skin is made of 3 layers:
1 the epidermis, a very thin layer coated by the horny layer that we see. This layer is what cosmetics are meant to be effective on
2 the dermis, found under the epidermis, it is about 4 mm thick and it is the support tissue which makes the skin elastic and firm. It contains blood vessels and fibroblasts, fantastic cells that produce: collagen, elastin, glycosamicoglycans (GAGs, with Hyaluronic acid being one of them). It also provides moisture and skin nutrients.
3 the hypodermis, the deepest and thickest part of the skin, it acts as a shock absorber via the fat tissue it contains. Large cells called adipocytes store lipids and release them when required. This tissue is very active and it is a storage centre also for vitamins and hormones.
2 The wellbeing of the epidermis gives a soft, smooth and radiant looking skin; the wellbeing of the dermis gives elasticity, firmness and the pink colour to the skin; the hypodermis gives fulness to the skin
3 The skin needs to be fed from the inside, as from the blood vessels it gets all the nutrients it requires to build the proteins that constitute the skin fibres. Therefore a firm and elastic skin goes hand in hand with a healthy diet. Harsh slimming diets, irregular eating and junk food show on the skin fairly quickly as the skin looses colour, luminosity and firmness, therefore aging prematurely.
4 What damages the skin elasticity? Accumulation of free radicals along with insufficient cleansing routine (lack of antioxidants that protect the skin). It is very important to ensure we have an adequate intake of antioxidants either via an healthy diet or via nutritional supplements. Very good antioxidants are the ones that favour endogenous protection mechanisms such as lycopene (found in tomatoes), beta-carotene (found in carrots), lutein (found in spinach), vitamin C and bioflavonoids (found in citrus fruit), vitamin E (found in olive oil), resveratrol (found in red wine), to name just a few. It is also very important to a have a good intake of aminoacids as they are the proteins building blocks (found in Aloe vera, fish, chicken, sprouts)
5 The UVA rays damage the long elestic fibres within the skin. The skin looses elasticity becoming wrinkly. Avoid sun beds and peack UV times, ie 11am-3pm, in summer and in spring times.
6 Look after the skin with a good cosmetic routine (cleansing, products suitable for your skin needs). Forest Secrets iRejuvenate system can adapt to all skin types, seasons and climates. iRejuvenate enhances the skin barrier and also stimulates the fibroblasts to produce more collagen. iRejuvenate is formulated in harmony with the skin and it contains actives that protect skin cells and that are bioavailable.
7 Good cleansing regime is fundamental. Cleansing is a ritual to take care of the skin remembering it is not an old cloth or a precious crystal. In my experience the best cleansing is given using either a cleansing lotion or oil. A good cleansing regime can be integrated with regular scrubbing, even with a simple sponge
8 Key molecules to maintain the skin elasticity are vitamins A and C and derivatives, antioxidants, and aminoacids. iRejuvenate contains Tretinoin, a vitamin A precurosr found in Rosehip oil. antioxdiants and aminoacids from Aloe Vera. It does not contain vitamin C as there are stability problems associated with it in cosmetic products as it degrades over time. We believe that the best way to take vitamin C is through a healthy diet.
9 Alphahydroxyacids (glycolic, lactic, citric, etc.) are quite important as they are hydrating (at low concentrations) and smoothing (they are exfoliating). IRejuvenate contains a balanced concentration of one alphahydroxyacid.
10 Low estrogens content reduces skin firmness and hydration, therefore after the menopause it is good to consult a professional nutritionist to find good source of phyto-estrogens, such as soja and red clover.
11 Keep stress to a minimum as the body produces stress hormones, such as cortisol, whose excess interferes with the natural process of skin regeneration. Activities and other factors affecting the cortisol balance are: skipping breakfast, skipping any meal, too many carbohydrates, assuming a slouched or fixed posture, being emotionally stressed. iRejuvenate Step 2 contains phytoenodorphines that help to counterbalance cellular stress giving a sense of wellbeing and radiance.
1 the epidermis, a very thin layer coated by the horny layer that we see. This layer is what cosmetics are meant to be effective on
2 the dermis, found under the epidermis, it is about 4 mm thick and it is the support tissue which makes the skin elastic and firm. It contains blood vessels and fibroblasts, fantastic cells that produce: collagen, elastin, glycosamicoglycans (GAGs, with Hyaluronic acid being one of them). It also provides moisture and skin nutrients.
3 the hypodermis, the deepest and thickest part of the skin, it acts as a shock absorber via the fat tissue it contains. Large cells called adipocytes store lipids and release them when required. This tissue is very active and it is a storage centre also for vitamins and hormones.
2 The wellbeing of the epidermis gives a soft, smooth and radiant looking skin; the wellbeing of the dermis gives elasticity, firmness and the pink colour to the skin; the hypodermis gives fulness to the skin
3 The skin needs to be fed from the inside, as from the blood vessels it gets all the nutrients it requires to build the proteins that constitute the skin fibres. Therefore a firm and elastic skin goes hand in hand with a healthy diet. Harsh slimming diets, irregular eating and junk food show on the skin fairly quickly as the skin looses colour, luminosity and firmness, therefore aging prematurely.
4 What damages the skin elasticity? Accumulation of free radicals along with insufficient cleansing routine (lack of antioxidants that protect the skin). It is very important to ensure we have an adequate intake of antioxidants either via an healthy diet or via nutritional supplements. Very good antioxidants are the ones that favour endogenous protection mechanisms such as lycopene (found in tomatoes), beta-carotene (found in carrots), lutein (found in spinach), vitamin C and bioflavonoids (found in citrus fruit), vitamin E (found in olive oil), resveratrol (found in red wine), to name just a few. It is also very important to a have a good intake of aminoacids as they are the proteins building blocks (found in Aloe vera, fish, chicken, sprouts)
5 The UVA rays damage the long elestic fibres within the skin. The skin looses elasticity becoming wrinkly. Avoid sun beds and peack UV times, ie 11am-3pm, in summer and in spring times.
6 Look after the skin with a good cosmetic routine (cleansing, products suitable for your skin needs). Forest Secrets iRejuvenate system can adapt to all skin types, seasons and climates. iRejuvenate enhances the skin barrier and also stimulates the fibroblasts to produce more collagen. iRejuvenate is formulated in harmony with the skin and it contains actives that protect skin cells and that are bioavailable.
7 Good cleansing regime is fundamental. Cleansing is a ritual to take care of the skin remembering it is not an old cloth or a precious crystal. In my experience the best cleansing is given using either a cleansing lotion or oil. A good cleansing regime can be integrated with regular scrubbing, even with a simple sponge
8 Key molecules to maintain the skin elasticity are vitamins A and C and derivatives, antioxidants, and aminoacids. iRejuvenate contains Tretinoin, a vitamin A precurosr found in Rosehip oil. antioxdiants and aminoacids from Aloe Vera. It does not contain vitamin C as there are stability problems associated with it in cosmetic products as it degrades over time. We believe that the best way to take vitamin C is through a healthy diet.
9 Alphahydroxyacids (glycolic, lactic, citric, etc.) are quite important as they are hydrating (at low concentrations) and smoothing (they are exfoliating). IRejuvenate contains a balanced concentration of one alphahydroxyacid.
10 Low estrogens content reduces skin firmness and hydration, therefore after the menopause it is good to consult a professional nutritionist to find good source of phyto-estrogens, such as soja and red clover.
11 Keep stress to a minimum as the body produces stress hormones, such as cortisol, whose excess interferes with the natural process of skin regeneration. Activities and other factors affecting the cortisol balance are: skipping breakfast, skipping any meal, too many carbohydrates, assuming a slouched or fixed posture, being emotionally stressed. iRejuvenate Step 2 contains phytoenodorphines that help to counterbalance cellular stress giving a sense of wellbeing and radiance.