Did you know that your skin has an immune system?
Being a physical barrier between your insides and the outside world, your skin has the tough task of protecting you from infection and atmospheric toxins. It also has the job of flushing out any toxic build-ups within the body.
Taking care of your skin not only keeps you looking younger for longer, but it is also crucial to your overall health. This blog post is an essential guide for skin immunity. Read on to find out what Skinmunity is and top tips and tricks for better skin health.
What is Skinmunity?
Skinmunity is a relatively new term that is used to describe healthcare practices related to your skin's natural immune system.
Although your skin has its own immune system, it is primarily derived from your internal immune system - so what you eat is just as important as what you apply to your skin to keep it healthy.
How The Skins Immune System Works
The skin contains two types of immune systems, the epidermis, and the dermis.
The Epidermis
Most people are familiar with the epidermis, the skin's surface layer. This layer contains key immune cells known as Epidermal dendritic cells (also known as Langerhans cells) and Keratinocytes (otherwise known as regular skin cells).
The Dermis
The dermis refers to your defence barrier system beneath the skin. This system primarily consists of blood and lymph vessels and immune cells.
The dermis also contains Lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are the first line of defence should any harmful viruses break through the skin barrier.
The epidermis and dermis systems work in tandem to protect your body from infection. Both systems consist of immuno-cells that are active virus killers, designed to spot and target foreign bodies that may cause harm.
That's why keeping your skin healthy above and below the surface is crucial for maintaining your overall health and keeping your body fighting fit against infection.
How To Boost Your Skins Immunity
Daily routine skin care is vital to keeping your skin healthy and vibrant. A routine that consists of regular moisturization of the skin, and using sunscreen against sun damage is the first step towards healthy and robust skin.
However, there are additional steps that you can take to give your skin's immune system a boost, here are our top tips for strong skin protection.
Vitamins
Your skin builds its defences from the resources within your body. Therefore what you put inside your body is just as important as what you put onto your skin surface layer to help strengthen the barrier.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital for skin health. Vitamin C protects the cells from damage and can defend against UV exposure.
Vitamin C can be consumed and applied to the skin to protect both barriers.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It helps to keep the skin nourished and protects against ‘free radicals’ - unstable atoms that cause disease and premature aging.
Zinc
Zinc is an important vitamin for boosting your bodily immunities and supporting your metabolism. Zinc helps the skin to heal faster. Your body cannot make zinc on its own so it is important to eat foods rich in zinc or to take a supplement.
Serums
Applying serums loaded with vitamins can really help to give your skin's epidermis a real boost. Introducing nutrient-rich serums to your skincare routine not only helps to remove any blemishes and wrinkles but also helps your whole body stay healthy and protected.
Aim for skin serums that contain some of the following ingredients:
Vitamin A Serum
Vitamin A keeps your skin vibrant and supports the fight against ‘free radicals.’
Vitamin C and Collagen
Vitamin C is beneficial when applied to the skin's surface as well as supplement intake. Vitamin C and collagen are a great combination for healthy skin. The collagen in the serum helps to bind skin fibres together.
Ceramides
Ceramides occur naturally on the skin barrier. They help the skin to retain moisture and are crucial to protecting the skin barrier and guarding against weather and air pollution.
Ceramides are available as topical creams and can easily be introduced to existing skincare routines.
Ingredients That Damage Skin Health
Knowing what damages your skin is just as helpful as knowing what can help. Some ingredients and chemicals found in regular skin creams may promote youthful looks but can actually harm the health of your skin.
Anti-bacterial Ingredients
It may seem obvious that applying anti-bacterial creams to your skin will keep your skin healthy, but actually, it can cause damage.
Your skin has a natural microbiome that must be protected for optimal health. This biome contains good bacteria that can be killed or damaged if you apply anti-bacterial products to your skin.
Of course, it is important to stay clean, so opting for natural soaps is the way to go and avoid any skincare creams and cleansers that contain Chlorhexidine, Triclosan, or Digluconate and use Witch Hazel in moderation.
Chemical Exfoliators
Adding chemical exfoliators to your skincare routine is fine if you keep it to once a week or less, but if you use too many acids on your skin surface it can damage your skin's immune system and the delicate skin microbiome.
If your skin has been feeling irritated and red, this is a sign that your skin has been exposed to too much acid and you should stop any chemical exfoliation and let your skin rest.
Chemical Toxins
Irritation, redness, inflammation and soreness are side effects of damaging toxins that are found in many skincare products.
When looking for your next cleanser or moisturizer, be mindful to check the ingredients and avoid any products that contain the following:
- Formaldehyde
- Parabens
- Fragrances
- Phthalates
Protecting your skin's health is optional for overall body health. Your skin is your body's first line of defence against illness and the only barrier protecting you from the outside world, so it's important to take care of it.
Swapping out harmful products that prioritise youthful skin over skin health is the first step towards healthier more robust skin.
Vitamins and serums are helpful in the fight for healthier skin. They are loaded full of nutrients that promote skin health - and if your skin is healthy, it will age more slowly, reduce any dark spots and naturally develop a healthy glow.
