Understand why your skin ages.  Let's face it, everyone ages, however some manage to do it more elegantly than others.  Blemishes, wrinkles, crow’s feet and other skin imperfections dot unlucky faces, while cellulite and acne can cause years of despair.   Nonetheless, armed with an understanding of how the skin ages, why it ages, and what can be done to help it age with grace, growing older doesn’t necessarily have to be dreaded or feared.

Protective barrier - the skin forms a barrier between the outside environment and the human body’s interior.  It shields the body from

Temperature regulation - the skin helps to regulate body temperature.  The surface capillaries of the skin release excess heat by dilating when the body gets too hot.  This allows for more blood to reach the surface of the skin and release heat to the exterior before returning to the interior of the body.  Additionally, sweat is generated on the surface of the skin which also aids in the cooling off process.  Likewise, if the body is too cool, the capillaries constrict.  This keeps the warm blood in internal circulation where it is needed.

Tactile sense - the skin acts as an organ of touch.  The skin is sensitive enough to tell the difference between the touch of a cotton ball and the fur of a kitten.  It is the first warning sign to the body when an exterior danger is present such as a hot stove, chemical irritant or cold ice. 

Waste elimination - The skin helps to rid the body of toxins.  Toxins and waste material leave the body in several fashions, one of which is through the skin in the form of sweat and perspiration. 

Nutrient synthesis - the skin plays a role in maintaining adequate levels of Vitamin D in the human body.  Inactivated Vitamin D is produced by skin cells which are stimulated by the sun’s rays.  The inactivated form then travels to other organs of the body to become activated and eventually plays a role in calcium absorption, among other important bodily functions. 

The human skin is primarily composed of two layers, the epidermis and the dermis. 

The epidermis produces several important proteins – keratin and melanin.  This layer is the main player in protecting the body from the outside environment and is also the region where new skin cells are formed.  The cells of the epidermis are replaced, on the average, every twenty-eight days.  However, younger skin usually has a faster rate of turnover, thereby looking healthier and younger, while older skin tends to be replaced slower.

The dermis layer of skin is the storage area for fat and water.  This layer helps the body to regulate its internal temperature.  The dermis is responsible for whether the skin looks vibrant, firm and healthy, or contains wrinkles, sags and fine lines. 

The dermis, the largest component of the skin and is home to many important and essential structures including, but not limited to,

The final two components of the skin are the basement membrane which lies between the epidermis and the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue.  The subcutaneous tissue stores toxins, pollutants, chemicals, fat and nutrients.  The fat within this layer gives skin its flexibility and insulation.