Skin

The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. Our skin can be divided into two layers:

• The epidermis is the superficial layer of the skin and is made up of several layers of cells. It is in this layer we also find melanin, which is responsible for pigmentation of the skin.

• The dermis is the second and deeper layer of the skin. This layer is made up of connective tissue and contains elastin, fibres which are responsible for the elasticity of the skin and collagen which provides skin with its strength. The dermis also has blood vessels which provide nutrition to the skin.

Aging Process - Skin

As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin is reduced, and we see changes in strength and elasticity as a result. The epidermis becomes thinner, and the number of cells that make melanin decrease with the remaining cells becoming larger. With these changes we see the beginnings of wrinkles, our skin looks thinner and we may start to get spots of pigmentation – commonly referred to as “age spots”.

Free Radical

Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Of particular importance is that free radical damage accumulates with age.

The vitamins C and E, are thought to protect the body against the destructive effects of free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don?t become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.

Free radical comes from stress, a busy lifestyle, poor diet and alcohol, smoking, too much intake of drugs, illness, UV penetration, and polution.

Ways to Reduce Premature Skin Aging

• Protect your skin from the sun every day.

• Apply self-tanner rather than get a tan. Every time you get a tan, you prematurely age your skin. All emit harmful UV rays that accelerate how quickly your skin ages.

• If you smoke, stop. Smoking greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages. It causes wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion.

• Avoid repetitive facial expressions. When you make a facial expression, you contract the underlying muscles. If you repeatedly contract the same muscles for many years, these lines become permanent. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce lines caused by squinting.

• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Findings from a few studies suggest that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables may help prevent damage that leads to premature skin aging. Findings from research studies also suggest that a diet containing lots of sugar or other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging.

• http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-benefits-of-vitamin-e-for-skin-hair-and-health/

• Drink less alcohol. Alcohol is rough on the skin. It dehydrates the skin, and in time, damages the skin. This can make us look older.

• Exercise most days of the week. Findings from a few studies suggest that moderate exercise can improve circulation and boost the immune system. This, in turn, may give the skin a more-youthful appearance.

• Cleanse your skin gently. Scrubbing your skin clean can irritate your skin. Irritating your skin accelerates skin aging. Gentle washing helps to remove pollution, makeup, and other substances without irritating your skin.

• Wash your face twice a day and after sweating heavily. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, irritates the skin, so you want to wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.

• Apply a facial moisturizer every day. Moisturizer traps water in our skin, giving it a more youthful appearance.

• Stop using skin care products that sting or burn. When your skin burns or stings, it means your skin is irritated. Irritating your skin can make it look older.

Vitamin E and Vitamin C

Vitamin E ? The most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. One of the most efficient chain-breaking antioxidants available. Primary defender against oxidation. Primary defender against lipid peroxidation (creation of unstable molecules containing more oxygen than is usual).

Vitamin C ? The most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Acts primarily in cellular fluid. Of particular note in combating free-radical formation caused by pollution and cigarette smoke. Also helps return vitamin E to its active form.

Vitamin E Facts

• Restores lost moisturizer on your skin

• Vitamin E boosts the production of collagen, a fiber-like protein that is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity. It thereby reduces the ocurrence of fine lines and wrinkles that are signs of aging.

• Vitamin E contains antioxidants that neutralize the effects of free radicals caused by ultraviolet radiation, thus soothing sunburns (6), (7).

• Vitamin E is an enriched source of free radical fighting antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce free radical damage that may have resulted in the hyperpigmentation leading to spots

• Vitamin E is a heavy emollient, which makes it easy to remove impurities from the surface of your skin as well as maintain its oil balance

• Vitamin E oil, being a great moisturizer, is suitable for application on dry nails and cuticles. Thus, it protects your skin.

• Stretch marks appear owing to skin losing its elasticity because of the stretching of the upper and lower layers of the skin. They manifest as white stripe-like marks. Vitamin E oil is known to restore skin elasticity and lighten stretch marks

• This oil acts as a lip moisturizer and is extremely effective in getting rid of dryness resulting from a cold sore and its eruption, thereby providing relief from the stinging sensation that accompanies it.

• Vitamin E oil contains antioxidants that improve the circulation of blood to all parts of the body, including the scalp. It conditions your hair from the root to the shaft and ensures healthier growth.

• The potent antioxidants present in this vitamin E can effectively prevent the corrosion of tissues, thereby reducing the probability of premature graying

• Vitamin E is a natural moisturizer that keeps your scalp in good condition (). Also, since vitamin E can be directly applied to your hair to condition it and make it smoother and softer.

• The vitamin E helps strengthen and smoothen the cuticles of your hair, thereby reducing instances of splitting and breakage

• Vitamin E oil has remarkable curative powers. It has the ability to heal wounds caused by small burns

• The oil will penetrate deep into the skin to repair the scar tissue at the source, thereby helping to diminish the appearance of blemishes

• It keeps your skin supple and combats the dryness of eczema and restores skin elasticity. Vitamin E can also restore the mechanism of skin regeneration, thereby effectively treating psoriasis

• he accumulation of bad cholesterol in the arteries causes the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack. Vitamin E oil negates the effects of bad cholesterol by disallowing it to oxidize and prevents it from lining up the arteries

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