The skin is the largest organ in our body, it connects us to the world and also protects us from environmental factors such as irritants, allergens and microbes. It regulates body temperature to make us feel at our best.
There are many factors that affect the skin and influence its well-being: internal and external to our body.
There are some influences that we cannot do anything about, but some we can intervene in a positive way: effective treatments help protect it and maintain a younger appearance for a long time.
Endogenous factors that affect the skin
When talking about endogenous factors, that is, internal factors that influence the skin, we include genetic factors, hormonal conditions and specific health conditions of the body.
Genetics
An individual's genetic makeup determines every single cell and therefore also the type of skin (normal, dry, oily or combination) and influences its condition.
Genetics plays a central role in biological skin aging, namely: impaired cell renewal, decreased secretions of sebaceous and sweat glands, degeneration of connective tissue and loss of firmness, and decreased skin elasticity.
Biological skin aging is not premature skin aging.
Premature skin aging is instead caused by exogenous or external factors, such as exposure to the sun or smoking.
Genetic factors determine not only biological aging and skin type but also the predisposition to particular conditions such as Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Ichthyosis. For example, those born with a lack of filaggrin, a protein, have sensitive skin and are predisposed to atypical dermatitis because their skin barrier is compromised.
It follows that I will be determined to follow a proper skincare routine to protect my skin as much as possible.
Some diseases
Diabetes, kidney disease and others – can affect the condition of the skin.
Hormones
Hormonal changes such as menopause, pregnancy, adolescence and puberty have a significant impact on the skin.
Just think of the typical acne-prone skin of teenagers.
During pregnancy, hormones can stimulate melanin and cause melasma, a form of hyperpigmentation that causes skin discoloration.
During menopause, female estrogen levels decrease. These hormones positively influence the skin's water balance and their decrease causes structural changes to the skin as well as dryness.
Exogenous factors that affect the skin
Exogenous factors, that is external, depend on the environment that surrounds us and our lifestyle. We smoke, we love the sun, we use detergents without knowing what they contain…
The sunlight
Sun is life. But in moderation!
Exposure that is too long and without adequate protection significantly damages the skin, causing radical premature aging.
The sun's rays affect the skin with sunburn, UVA rays have been linked to skin cancer, photoaging, sunburn, hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration. Prolonged exposure to the sun triggers the formation of free radicals.
Temperature
Extreme weather temperatures affect the skin.
In a very cold climate the skin closes the pores to avoid heat loss and the secretion of the sebaceous glands is reduced, causing dryness.
Low humidity in closed environments and with central heating can dehydrate the skin making it very sensitive.
Some conditions, such as rosacea, can be triggered by high temperatures.
Aggressive products
The skin's pH is slightly acidic, between 4.7 and 5.75.
Many commercial cleansers use aggressive surfactants with an alkaline pH and damage the skin barrier, making even normal skin sensitive or hypersensitive.
Hypersensitive skin is prone to skin infections and dermatitis.
We always choose eco-friendly organic products suitable for our skin so we can make sure we don't run into problems of this type.
Hygiene
Even washing continuously damages our skin.
The skin becomes dehydrated and rougher.
Diet
Eating a healthy and balanced diet helps keep your entire body and skin healthy.
What is good for our skin? Water, water, and more water, and then vitamin C, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins (fish).
Lifestyle
Lifestyle affects your entire body, including your skin!
Some useful tips to delay skin aging and prevent skin problems:
Let's learn to manage stress, do physical activity, enjoy the right hours of sleep to give cells the chance to regenerate. Above all, if we smoke, let's stop doing it!
Cigarette smoke is a major source of free radical release.
Smoking makes your skin look older and increases wrinkles. When you quit smoking, your skin will visibly look healthier in a short period of time.
