Nourish and Protect Your Skin
The skin is the largest organ of our body. It account for approx 16%
of an adult’s overall weight. It’s primary components are water ( 70%),
proteins (25.5%) and fats (2%). It is a dynamic, living organ that
continually sheds its outermost layer through a process called exfoliation.
In fact, our skin replaces itself every twenty-seven days.
Our skin performs a number of vital roles.It is a barrier against micro-
organisms and toxic compounds entering our body.
It permits a selective exchange of fluids necessary for our survival.
It is our natural radiator: by regulating our body’s loss of fluids, the skin
helps us maintain our body temperature It is a primary component of
our sense of touch. At the same time, our skin defines so much of the
outer beauty we desire.
Manipulating our skin has been a component of the human beauty
regimen for thousands of years. For centuries we bathed our skin with
oils, painted its surface and manipulated its texture – all for the sake
of outer beauty. The role of our skin as a vital organ took a back seat
to visual appearance.
Today, a remarkable shift is occurring. Skincare is assuming a primary
position in our health. Indeed, we now see that healthy skin is the basis
for the beauty we desire and that our lotions, masques and creams
can nourish the skin in incredible ways.
Healthy skin and elegant appearance are synonymous.
Every day our skin is exposed to a number of environmental toxins.
Factors like UV light , smog and smoke trigger a cascade of free-
radical activity in the cells.
To prevent new damage from UV rays, use a sunscreen every day,
and reapply it after swimming and prolonged sun exposure.
SPF15 works well for most skin types; however, a higher SPF may
be necessary for some.
In addition, look for new, deep-penetrating compounds in products
that amplify the body’s natural cell-renewal process and minimize
the effects of environmental exposure.
Scientifically advanced, natural products can help you defy the
aging process and enjoy radiant, healthy skin at any age.
Nutrition and the skin
Like every organ in our body, our skin is composed of billions of cells.
When we see the skin as an organ, we realize that cellular nutrition
is vital for a healthy skin. Any deficiency of vitamins or essential
nutrients in our body, negatively effects our skin.
The skin is the last organ to receive nourishment from the body and
the first to show signs of nutritional deficiency, imbalance or illness.
The impact of diet on our skin can not be overemphasized.
Poor dietary habits generally appear first in our skin’s texture, tone
and color. It also has long-term effects on our skin – the kind that will
not be seen until it is well beyond your control to correct the problem.
For example, a vitamin C or E deficiency weakens our skin’s firmness,
tone and texture. Low levels of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) damages skin
cell membranes and cracks appear in the corners of our mouth and
on our lips. An iron deficiency can create poor skin color.
The list is endless, but the message is clear: optimal cellular nutrition
is critical for healthy skin.
Free-radical damage.
Only recently was the discovery of the free radical and its impact on
our body associated with our skin.It is now clear that free radicals
are primary contributors to the aging process and can destroy the
cells of our skin.
Free-radical oxidative stress destroys skin-cell membranes and
accelerates the sagging and wrinkling effects we experience
as we age. The effects of free-radical damage are cumulative.
It is a process that can continue for years before we receive any
alert. We may never “see” the damage that free radicals cause until
it has irrevocably harmed our skin.
Free-radical damage is such a major aging factor that we must
incorporate unique substances in our skincare regimen to combat
its ill effects. The primary agents which combat the free radicals
are antioxidants. They include several vitamins as well as a number
of phyto nutrients found in botanical extracts.
Any beauty regimen must take into account the nutritional needs
of the skin and combat the free-radical activity that damages its cells.
Without addressing both of these requirements, our creams and
topicals merely hide the unsightly impact of oxidative stress and aging.
Rather, we need to enhance our natural beauty while we nourish and
protect our healthy skin.
The skin – A Vehicle for Health
Knowing that our skin is a living organ that facilitates the transfer of
nutrients and realizing that proper nutrition is critical for healthy skin,
you would assume that the connection between skincare and skin
nourishment would be obvious. Not so!
We appreciate the damage we do by applying toxic chemicals to
our skin in the name of beauty. We no longer poison ourselves for
the sake of appearance. Yet we failed to see the real opportunity
before us. The skin is a powerful vehicle for health.
Indeed, its selective passage of compounds into and out of the body
is an instrument for wellness.
Today, scientists use the powerful properties of the skin to deliver
pharmaceutical compounds to the body. Medicinal introduction
through the skin is now common practice. It is referred to in the medical
community as transdermal application. Topical estrogen creams
deliver hormones to our bodies.
The transdermal introduction of substances has proven to be, in many
cases, the most efficient method of introducing drugs to our body.
Once the importance of the skin was accepted and its status as a vital
body organ was established, all was needed was a fresh approach
that considered more than surface beauty in the creams and lotions
we apply to our skin.
The relationship between proper nutrition and healthy skin was proven
by Dr. Myron Wentz, a cellular biologist.
He saw the power of nourishing the skin through topical applications.
The question was: could both beauty-enhancing and antioxidant
constituents be provided directly to the skin via a skincare regimen?
Could skin cells absorb and be nourished and vitalized through the
topical delivery of these compounds and could such a system deliver
the anti-aging enhancements that consumers demand from their beauty
products?
The initial Sense formulas, developed by a team of biologists, chemists
and beauty consultants were provided to an independent third-party
laboratory with instructions to test their effectiveness in several ways
and under incredibly rigorous controls.
At the end of 8 weeks clinical tests, the results were above all expectations.
In short, the viewpoint of a cellular biologist, implemented
through the efforts of an interdisciplinary team, brought about
a revolutionary advance in the science of skincare.
Indeed, it delivered beautiful science!
USANA Health Sciences is a leader in this field with a product line
called Sense. For more information about Sense, visit: www.nutrobalance.net