Is your skin changing in ways that you don’t like? Are you seeing fine lines, wrinkles, and sagginess start to show up in the mirror? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the collagen and elastin layer of your skin needs a boost.
What are collagen and elastin?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and the deep layer of skin called the dermis. Collagen provides the structural network or “glue” that holds the body’s tissues together and its health is vital for the skin’s integrity, firmness, elasticity and hydration.
Elastin is a connective tissue protein that is responsible for the skin’s elasticity. Think of a child’s skin versus your grandmother’s skin. When you pinch the skin on the cheek of a child, it feels firm and it snaps back immediately. When you pinch the cheek of your grandmother, the skin will feel thin and flabby with slow to no snap back. This is the difference between the abundant amounts of collagen and elastin with youth and with the lack of in aged skin.
Why should you care about collagen and elastin?
As you age, the collagen and elastin layer literally disintegrate. Even worse this process starts as young as age 20. So, imagine how much change you are seeing if you are later in life and have not been caring for your skin. These changes become apparent with the emergence of larger pores, increased wrinkling, and sagging in the skin. A bonus to this “trinity of aging” is that the skin will thin and become more fragile as well. If you want healthy, smooth and firm skin throughout life, then caring for this layer of skin is vital.
What causes collagen and elastin loss?
Collagen and elastin production will naturally slow with aging; however, lifestyle and lack of skincare can speed this process and lead to premature aging. For lifestyle, consuming a diet full of processed foods like bread, sugar and dairy can create inflammation in the body. Excessive UV exposure without proper protection also damages the collagen and elastin layer. Lack of skincare to protect from UV damage and pollution lead to free radicals and inflammation as well. Inflammatory states speed the collagen and elastin breakdown process.
The Good News!
The good news is that collagen and elastin production can be stimulated with certain topical skincare ingredients. You can also prevent premature aging with a healthy diet and good skincare habits.
There are scientifically proven ingredients that help to stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin. For these ingredients to work, they need to be formulated in a manner that allows for optimal absorption into the skin to reach the dermis. We refer to these types of products as cosmeceuticals.
The powerhouse topical ingredients for collagen and elastin stimulation are:
- Peptides
- Growth Factors
- Vitamin C
- Retinaldehyde Vitamin A
More good news is that these ingredients also offer antioxidant protection from inflammation and free radical damage. In addition to these ingredients on a daily basis, you also need to use anSPF with Zinc Oxide to prevent UV damage.
At Mikel Kristi, our cosmeceutical products work to synergistically protect and aid in collagen and elastin production. Our Vital C Repair Serum and C Radiance Moisturizer effectively provide your skin with the smoothing and protecting benefits of Vitamin C. Our Bio Peptide Revitalizing Serum or as we like to call it, “Photoshop In A Bottle,” gives you visibly smoother skin in just a couple weeks. And best of all is our Vital A Rejuvenating Serum, also known as “Your Fountain Of Youth,” is loaded with the antioxidant and firming benefits of Retinaldehyde Vitamin A. Our Core Collection is an easy system to nourish your skin with all of these powerhouse products on a daily basis.
Make sure to enhance your skincare routine by starting on the inside with a healthy diet. Drink at least 64 oz of filtered water daily. Consume a diet rich in low glycemic index fruits and vegetables. Limit processed foods. Eat healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and nuts.
Follow these simple steps and watch your skin transform. Better yet, start when you are young and enjoy ageless skin. Go to Mikelkristi.com today to get started on your anti-aging journey.
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