Which Natural Ingredients for Radiant Skin?

The skin is a vital organ, as important as the stomach, kidneys, liver and so on. It is our largest organ and, as our first immune barrier, it protects us from the outside world. The integumentary system, the anatomical term given to the skinis an important reflection of our overall state of health. When the skin is unhealthy, repercussions are immediately observable. The integumentary system includes hair and nails, also known as "phanera". They are produced by different lipid layers (keratins, fibroblasts, melanocytes)..^{1, 2, 3}

How the skin works

Did you know that the skin's layers play a very important role? For example, the first layer is called the "epidermis" and is covered by a layer called the "stratum corneum", which acts as a barrier between our body and the outside world. The epidermis is dotted with tiny holes, the skin pores, from which sweat emerges. Hairs, eyelashes and hair are formed in the second layer, the dermis, inside the small sheaths of the hair follicle, before emerging through the pores. Its ducts are connected to sebum-producing glands. The sweat glands that produce sweat are also located in the dermis.

In the middle of this system are sensory receptors connected to the brain, some of which are sensitive to pressure, others to touch or temperature. And the epidermis instantly transmits pain to us via its sensitive receptors..^{2, 3, 4}

Cells on the surface of our skin

The surface of our skin is made up of a thin film of dead cells that act as protection against the outside world. Between 30,000 and 40,000 dead cells are shed from our skin every minute. New skin cells are constantly replacing those lost.

The dermis

Just beneath the epidermis lies the dermis, a supportive tissue (connective tissue) that varies in thickness from 1 to 3 mm depending on the region of the body, and makes up the bulk of our skin. Richly vascularized, the dermis ensures epidermal nutrition by diffusion. Its protein fibers, produced by specific cells called fibroblasts, act as a foundation for the epidermis. The loss of support and elasticity of dermal fibers is at the root of wrinkles and the signs of aging. The dermis also plays a vital role in thermoregulation, healing and the elimination of certain toxic substances through perspiration.

As the dermis is a true skin, meaning that it does not renew itself as the epidermis does, it remains the same throughout our lives..^{2, 3, 4}

The skin and its challenges

The different layers of skin on our bodies provide a form of protection throughout our lives, and are altered by the aging process. These stages of life are perfectly normal, but oxidative stress (free radicals) can cause premature aging, leading to the more rapid appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and/or a dull, tired appearance. Oxygenated free radicals are highly aggressive and unstable molecules that damage proteins, DNA and cell membranes. The body uses its antioxidants to neutralize them, but in the event of imbalance, it sometimes lacks the antioxidant resources to counterbalance the ravages of free radicals..⁵

Oxidative stress factors

Many external factors are known to trigger or increase the production of free radicals to which we are exposed every day. For example, the skin, subjected to our modern lifestyle, accumulates stresses such as insomnia, lack of daily hydration, a nutrient-poor diet, lack of physical activity, increased exposure to environmental pollutants, overexposure to the sun including UVA rays, smoking, second-hand smoke, cannabis smoke, fried foods, alcohol, etc., all of which are known to increase the production of free radicals..^{5, 6}

Seasonal changes, the skin's enemy

Other major stresses that have an impact on our skin here at home include our four seasons or changing temperatures with extreme variations. Think of our long, cold winters and the number of temperature changes we can experience in a day: the heating in our homes, the heating in our cars in addition to the lack of light in that season. Then there's the freezing rain, and in our summers, the heat and humidity that also affect our skin..⁷

Inspiration Beauté, a natural formula for skin care

Introducing the product Inspiration Beauté from the Sisu company. It's a formula in capsule form, made from 6 natural ingredients to care for your skin and your health.^{9, 10}

Inspiration Beauté:

• is beneficial for the immune system, improves skin appearance and provides nutrients for your hair and nails.
• Can help skin problems such as acne, can improve wrinkles by increasing cellular hydration, skin elasticity and softness.
• It is an antioxidant for the prevention of skin damage due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Inspiration Beauté, six proven natural ingredients

Hyaluronic acid

Our skin, nails and hair naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This elastic, water-rich molecule acts as a kind of cement that fills the voids between cells, ensuring their cohesion and reinforcing their protection against external aggression.

However, as we age, the quantity of hyaluronic acid diminishes, leading to tissue dehydration and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As a result, it becomes unavoidable to moisturize the skin from within (the dermis) with the addition of a supplementation. What's more, hyaluronic acid possesses antioxidant virtues, giving it a protective role against sun damage, including UVA rays..⁸

Zinc

Zinc stabilizes the skin's sebum production and helps prevent acne. It inhibits the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme of testosterone, responsible for hair loss in both men and women. In addition, white spots on the nails are a zinc deficiency.

Biotin 

Biotin is a B vitamin, and a deficiency can be the source of hair loss and brittle nails. Biotin supports keratin production. Keratin is an insoluble protein found in the epidermis, hair and nails.

Selenium

Selenium is an antioxidant against free radicals.

Horsetail

Horsetail fortifies hair and nails.

Lycopene

An antioxidant in the carotenoid family found in skin..^{8, 9, 10}

To remember : Beauty inspiration promotes skin health and rejuvenation, remedies skin damage, helps repair and restore shine to hair and strengthen nails, provides continuous hydration and a radiant complexion.

Beauty inspirationInspiration Beauté is all about reviving your beauty from the inside out!

About the author

Marie Couture, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive disorders
•  Inflammation
• Hormonal problems
• Stress management

References :

1. Joyeux Pr. Henri, Joyeux Jean, Manger mieux et meilleur de 0 à 100 ans (in French only)éditions du Rocher, 2017, 326 pages

2. Marieb Elaine, Anatomy and physiologyERPI, 1999, 1194 pages

3. https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/parties-corps/Fiche.aspx?doc=peau#:~:text=Anatomie%20de%20la%20peau&text=L'%C3%A9piderme%20est%20compos%C3%A9%20

4. https://sante.lefigaro.fr/sante/organe/derme/quest-ce-que-cest#:~:text=La%20peau%20est%20constitu%C3%A9e%20du,%C3%A0%201%20%C3%A0%203%20mm.

5. https://www.eucerin.fr/votre-peau/signes-de-lage-et-vieillissement-cutane/free-radicals#:~:text=aux%20membranes%20cellulaires.-,Pourquoi%20les%20radicaux%20l

6. https://www.selection.ca/sante/beaute/la-verite-sur-les-antioxydants-et-votre-peau/#:~:text=La%20rouille%20et%20la%20chair,l'%C3%A2ge%20sur%20la%20peau.

7. https://www.payot.com/CA/fr/conseils/comment-la-peau-reagit-elle-aux-saisons

8. https://www.monvanityideal.com/conseils/soin-du-visage/anti-age/l-acide-hyaluronique-la-solution-anti-age.html#:~:text=%C3%80%2030%20ans%2C%20le%20renouvellem

9. https://www.sisu.com/our-products/skin-hair-nails

10. https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Actualites/Dossiers/Fiche.aspx?doc=conseils-complements-alimentaires-belle-peau