Introduction: The Skin is the Largest Organ

You have probably heard the saying “you are what you eat”, well it goes even further “you are what you put on your skin”. As you know, our skin is the largest organ of our body and there is more danger in putting chemicals on your skin than actually consuming them! Why? Because our skin can breath and thus absorbs the things we put on our skin. If we just use conventional body care, our skin is absorbing nothing but dangerous ingredients. SO, what happens next? These toxic ingredients enter our bloodstream and get carried around our body, penetrating our organs. Our skin absorbs 60% of what is put on it. It goes from the skin to the bloodstream and is delivered to all body parts. Remember, our skin is very gentle and sensitive, so treating it right is detrimental to the process of skin aging.

Skin Facts

To take the best care of your skin, it’s very crucial to understand its structure.
Our Skin is a living system of nerves, cells, and capillaries. It is made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.
The epidermis is the outermost and thinnest layer. It creates a barrier between our inner and outer worlds. It is very thin like paper but tough. The epidermis has three sub-layers: the stratum corneum, the squamous cell layer and the basal cell layer. It approximately takes a month for skin cells to move from the basal cell layer to the top of the stratum corneum and slough off. The epidermis is made up of cells called keratinocytes, which are piled on top of each other, forming various sub-layers. The keratinocytes form at the bottom and rise to the top, where they are fall off from the surface as dead cells. This means that the epidermis is constantly renewing itself.
The condition of epidermis determines how good your skin looks and how well it absorbs and retains moisture.
The dermis is the second layer and is the thickest of the skin layers containing the collagen and elastin fibers that create the flexibility and firmness of skin. The dermis is made of elastic, flexible connective tissue that create strength and smoothness of the skin. Collagen – provides support to the skin. Fibroblast cells are responsible for manufacturing collagen. Elastin gives the skin elasticity. The dermis nourishes and supplies blood to the epidermis. The dermis also contains hair roots, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, receptors, nails, blood vessels, and mechanoreceptors. Wrinkles appear and develop in the dermis. This means that anti-wrinkle creams have to penetrate deep into the dermis in order to be effective. Unfortunately, most collagen and elastin creams are ineffective because they never reach the dermis. The reason for that - collagen and elastin molecules are too large to penetrate the epidermis.

The subcutaneous layer, the deepest layer of skin, is mostly made up of fatty tissue. It also contains blood vessels and nerves. It protects internal organs and helps to insulate the body by monitoring heat gain and heat loss. The hypodermis is made of a connective tissue called adipose tissue that stores excess energy as fat. Blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and hair follicles also run through this layer of skin. It also plays a very important role on the way the skin looks. As the age, we lose the subcutaneous tissue that leads to sagging and wrinkles. A standard procedure performed by dermatologists to prevent this process is to inject fat (taken from other areas of your body) under the wrinkles on the face.


Skin is not only the largest organ of your body, it is also the most vulnerable. The primary function of the skin is to defend our bodies from external toxins and bacteria. So, if you put nothing but toxins onto your skin, it will slowly lose its ability to protect. Thus, using the natural antioxidant rich nourishing ingredients will help boost your skins primary function.

Why We Age

With each day we get a little older: aging of the skin and the whole body is inevitable. However, in some degree, you can control the speed and the effect of the aging process if you know and follow certain rules of what to eat, how to exercise, and what to avoid.

A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell which makes it very unstable and reactive. When cells in the body come across with free radicals, the reactive radicals may cause destruction of the cell. Since these molecules are very unstable, they are always searching for that extra electron. When they come across the complete molecule, they steal the extra electron, making the stable molecule into a free radical. According to Dr. Harmon, who discovered the free radical theory of aging, “cells continuously produce free radicals, and constant free radical damage eventually kills the cell. When free radicals kill or damage enough cells in an organism, the organism ages.”

The fact is that over time, our bodies accumulate various toxins that promote the destruction of cells of the skin. Accordingly, in order to slow the aging, it is necessary to prevent accumulation of these substances. Poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle heavily contribute to the aging process that makes it harder to repair cellular damage. First, to avoid the formation of free radicals, you need to build the right diet. You need to eat antioxidant rich foods that will help to get rid of the free radicals that affect aging and deterioration of the skin. Antioxidants found in food can absorb free radicals before they create cellular damage. Therefore, since our skin is the largest organ of the body putting the antioxidant rich ingredients onto our skin, will help fight the damage associated with free radicals. 

Skin is The Reflection of Internal Beauty

Many people spend a lot of money on expensive antiaging creams and various skin treatments. To get your skin to be healthy and youthful, you must nourish your skin from within. Skin is the direct reflection of what is going on inside your body. The truth is that no expensive cream can do for your skin what a healthy lifestyle can. Eating right and using only natural ingredients on your skin, will slow down the rapid aging of the skin making it younger at any age.

Nutrition For Skin

Radiant, youthful skin is the direct result of healthy living and not expensive creams. Eating a well-balanced diet that consists of real food and excludes processed foods helps insure that your body gets all the vitamins it needs to maintain healthy skin. Since our bodies are always in a cleansing stage, supplying the right nutrients to our cells, should be the priority. As we know, our skin is made of collagen and elastin which tend to relax with age and, and as a result, form wrinkles. It is important to rebuild collagen by consuming foods high in anti-oxidants and vitamins.

Nutrients for healthy skin
Vitamins A, E, and C improve the synthesis and regeneration of collagen and help maintain healthy, smooth skin.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A promotes proper repair and maintenance of the skin. It helps skin cells mature and enables them to fight infection. Vitamin A is collected by the fat under the skin and is released when is needed.

Deficiencies in Vitamin A can result in a dry, flaky complexion. Topical vitamin A treatments (food based) are often used to treat acne and other skin ailments.

Foods high in vitamin A include liver, eggs, dandelion, carrots, apricots, collard greens, kale, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, and cantaloupe.


Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a vital role in the synthesis of collagen and elastin. It’s a miracle Vitamin for the skin. Vitamin C improves skin firmness by triggering collagen production. Vitamin C helps to repair the damage caused by external factors. It also improves the skin's texture and tone.
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that fights free radicals responsible for skin aging and dryness. According to the latest scientific research, Vitamin C leads to a more effective skin regeneration and protects the skin from DNA damage. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/uol-srn090909.php)
Vitamin C combined with Vitamin E is effective at protecting the skin from overexposure to the sun.

Foods high in vitamin C: bell peppers, kale, parsley, collard greens, turnips, broccoli, guava, strawberries.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the most effective anti-aging vitamins to reverse the aging of skin. It's a fat-soluble vitamin that is able to slow down aging. Vitamin E protects cell walls and regulates collagen breakdown. It's a defender for our skin. Our bodies store vitamin E in our fat cells. However, your body can't produce it, which means you have to make sure you're getting enough of this valuable nutrient in your diet.

Vitamin E also boosts your skin's resistance to UV damage. Acts as antioxidants, which helps your body of harmful toxins that reduce the effects of your anti-aging efforts. Vitamin E can also be used topically to clear or reduce skin scars. It soothes dry or rough skin. Vitamin E combined with selenium improves glutathione levels in the body, thus increasing antioxidant activity.

Foods high in Vitamin E: organic free-range eggs, avocados, sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, spinach, cabbage, asparagus, turnip greens, chard, brussels sprouts, broccoli, olives, paprika, prunes.

Selenium

Selenium is one of the most important trace minerals with amazing health benefits. Selenium is an antioxidant mineral responsible for tissue elasticity. Researchers discovered that selenium was an essential component of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme system. Glutathione peroxidase's main biological role is to protect the organism from oxidative damage that causes aging, inflammation, and even skin cancer. It acts to prevent cell damage by free radicals. In this role, selenium complements the anti-oxidizing function of vitamin E. Vitamin E and selenium help to enhance the effect of one another.
It may play an important role in preventing skin cancer, as it can protect the skin from damage from excessive ultraviolet light.

Foods high in selenium: seafood (salmon, sardines, tuna), organ meats, beef, lamb, turkey, brazil nuts.


Silica

Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body's connective tissues and is important for healthy skin. Silica is also called "beauty mineral" because it improves skin elasticity and helps with hair and nail growth. Silica supports collagen production. It helps reduce and eliminate skin problems such as acne, age spots, eczema. Silica is also refereed as the skin's glue as it holds us together. Silica is also a natural detoxifier. It helps get rid of toxins and pathogens.

Silica deficiency can result in reduced skin elasticity and can affect the body's ability to heal wounds.

Foods high in silica: leeks, green beans, strawberries, cucumber, mango, celery, asparagus and rhubarb.

Horsetail is one of the richest plant sources of silica known to mankind.



Pantothenic acid (B5)
Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin which acts as a natural skin protector and healer. It contains natural abilities to regenerate the skin. Pantothenic acid is a part of many biological activities and is required by various types of skin cells for proper regeneration.
Vitamin B5 acts as a humectant, stabilizing the skin barrier function. It reduces the amount of water lost through the skin. Pantothenic acid is able to penetrate deeply into the dermis and keeping moisture underneath the surface of the skin. Pantothenic acid also boosts the levels of glutathione in the cells, which act as a potent antioxidant in the skin. Pantothenic acid helps the skin maintain optimal health and promotes healing of tissues.
Foods high in Vitamin B5: liver, kidney, egg yolk, sweet potatoes, broccoli, avocado, mushrooms, shellfish.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B1, also known as Thiamin/Thiamine helps with metabolizing carbohydrates and the generation of energy. Vitamin B1 is necessary for normal nerve functioning and is essential for many cellular processes. is responsible for circulation. It gives skin a healthy glow. Vitamin B1 is a powerful antioxidant, which helps eliminate and protect from the signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots.
Foods high in Vitamin B1: organ meats, yeast, egg yolks, raw vegetables and fruits, nuts.

Riboflavin (or B2)

Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is a water-soluble vitamin which functions to help body cells create energy from the metabolization of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Riboflavin plays an important part in protecting your body from damage caused by free radicals and consequently premature aging and many chronic diseases. Riboflavin serves as a component of the enzyme glutathione reductase, which shields your body from free radical damage. Glutathione is a small molecule that is responsible for helping prevent the oxygen-based damage. It must be constantly recycled, and it is vitamin B2 that allows this recycling to take place. Vitamin B2 is incredibly beneficial for healthy skin. Riboflavin helps to improve the secretion of mucus in the skin, which aids in preventing and treating skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema.
Foods high in Vitamin B2: Beet greens, spinach, asparagus, cremini mushrooms, eggs.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) is the ruler of cell metabolism, it controls cell formation and cell life span. It's essential for proper functioning of the brain, the nervous system, DNA, the blood, and more. B12 Vitamin deficiency can damage your health and your skin because of its importance for neurons and rapidly dividing cells, including skin cells. Vitamin B12 gives skin its healthy complexion.
Foods high in Vitamin B12: seafood, organ meats and grass-fed dairy foods.

CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat soluble substance that enhances the energy levels in our body. It is also a very powerful antioxidant. Our bodies are able to produce it naturally which is important for healthy skin. Unfortunately, as we age, the amount of the CoQ10 enzyme reduces and our cells lose their proper energy production and antioxidant power. Since CoQ10 enzymes are antioxidants which destroy these radicals helping to slow down aging, it's important to consume foods high in this substance. Additionally, CoQ10 boost our collagen and elastin levels which are important for firm young-looking skin. Coenzyme Q10 enhances the cell's efficiency and boosts skin regeneration.

Foods high in CoQ10: oily fish (sardines, mackerel), grass fed beef, organ meats ( heart and kidneys have the most concentrated sources of coenzyme Q10 — like heart or kidney) eggs.


Niacin

Vitamin B-3 is niacin, or in its amide form, niacinamide. Niacin is a water soluble vitamin that widens capillaries, which increase blood flow. This increased blood flow to your skin help make your skin smoother and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. More blood flow also help to flush more toxins so more nutrients can be delivered to your body which affects the health of your skin. Niacin is used in the cosmetics industry to make moisturizers and anti-aging products. Niacin is very efficient in keeping skin healthy, soft, and glowing. It improves the skin cells efficiently making it firm. Niacin helps prevent acne and pimples. Regular consumption of niacin helps keep your skin moisturized. Foods high in Niacin (Vitamin B): Fish (tuna, salmon, mackerel, halibut; chicken, turkey, pork, liver, beef, green peas, sunflower seeds, avocado