The Benefits of Essential Vitamins, Minerals and Fats on the Condition of Skin
Share
We all strive to keep our skin in good condition to look its best and achieve that ‘glow’. But we should look beyond just the aesthetics reasons, and not forget that the appearance of our skin can speak volumes about our overall health.
The condition of skin is often a reflection of an individual’s overall state of health. A balanced diet plays an important role in the proper functioning of the body – both inside and out. The study ‘Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review’ draws attention to bioactive substances, such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, polyphenols, and carotenoids, with a particular focus on their effects on the condition of the skin. The study reviewed the literature on the effects of these bioactive substances on skin parameters such as elasticity, firmness, wrinkles, senile dryness, hydration, and colour, to define their role in the process of skin ageing.
Many authors stress the important relationship between a balanced diet and the condition of the human body, including the appearance and function of the skin. The intake of essential nutrients in the daily diet is important for the biological processes taking place in both young and ageing skin. The skin is a tissue with high proliferative potential, which is why an adequate intake of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, are essential for cellular generation.
The overall condition of the skin—its surface texture, colour, and physiological properties—result from factors such as hydration, i.e., the presence of an adequate amount of water in the stratum corneum, sebum content and surface acidity. Natural moisturizing factor, consisting mainly of amino acids, plays an important role in hydration and acidity. Specific fatty acids are also important for maintaining the function of the skin barrier and the integrity of the stratum corneum. Research increasingly suggests that a well-balanced diet significantly affects the skin ageing process.
The study highlights the effects of nutrition has on the condition of the skin, and explores whether a healthy diet supplemented with vitamins and minerals has photoprotective and anti-ageing benefits. The study presented the effects of bioactives on skin parameters such as a wrinkled appearance, elasticity, firmness, senile dryness, hydration, and colour, as well as their role in the skin ageing process.
The link to the full article of this study has been provided at the top of this blog post (and again at the bottom of this blog post), for those who would like to dive into further reading, however, the conclusion of the study states the following:
The skin is a sensitive indicator of nutritional deficiencies. The most effective way to improve the condition of the skin is to supply it with essential nutrients, both externally and—importantly—internally, through a varied diet. An increasing body of research suggests that a well-balanced diet significantly affects the skin ageing process. It is worth noting the substances that protect and restore the epidermal barrier, which reduces Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), ensuring an appropriate level of skin hydration and protecting against external factors and the damage induced by inflammation (e.g., omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids). Antioxidants and other phytonutrients that scavenge ROS and alleviate oxidative skin damage also play an important role in the prophylaxis and care of ageing skin, as do substances that protect the skin against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation (including vitamins A, C and E; selenium; zinc; copper; silicon; polyphenols; and carotenoids). The oral administration of antioxidants can be an effective supplement to chemical and physical UV-filtering agents and can reduce the DNA damage leading to skin ageing and the development of skin cancer. The inclusion of these substances in the daily diet could be a useful approach in anti-ageing interventions. In conclusion, the promotion of healthy dietary habits can benefit the appearance of the skin, delay ageing processes and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
The key takeaway is that nothing will ever replace a healthy diet when it comes to supporting a healthy body, and healthy skin, however it is not only internal factors that assist with healthy skin, but also external factors such as moisturising creams. When the skin is undergoing a more severe period of dehydration, dryness and cracking, it needs extra support. This is where the specifically formulated and designed range of Elixir moisturising products steps in, as they are packed with all the essential minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids the skin needs to be its best.
To read the full paper in which this information was sourced from, click the below link.