Did You Know That Your Skin Has Its Own Metabolism?

While most people associate metabolism with losing weight or burning calories, it is more than that. Your skin, for instance, has its own metabolism, which refers to the processes that regulate collagen and elastin production, as well as cell turnover and repair. It can also affect the way your skin responds to the products you apply.

Similar to the body’s, your skin’s metabolism also slows down with age and exposure to environmental aggressors. Continue reading as we explore more on how skin metabolism affects overall skin health and how Sanctuary by Cutis can help in boost and support your skin health.

What is skin metabolism?

Skin metabolism refers to the biochemical processes that happen in the epidermal or dermal cells. It plays a role in drug absorption and overall body metabolism. It controls:

• Cell turnover
• Production and breakdown of collagen and elastin
• Skin repair/wound healing
• Drug metabolism or response to products

As previously mentioned, skin metabolism slows with age too. In babies, epidermal cell renewal takes about two weeks, which is why they have smooth, soft skin. This then turns into 24 to 30 days in your 20s, which naturally takes longer as you age, taking about 45 to 60 days or longer in your 50s and beyond. 

What causes skin metabolic slowdown?

A number of factors contribute to the slowing down of your skin’s metabolism, disrupting certain cellular processes. These include:

• Age – cellular metabolism naturally decelerates with age, resulting in slow turnover and accumulation of dead skin cells.
• Genes – these can affect how your skin ages and metabolizes, influencing other factors such as how soon/late the skin ages and your vulnerability to certain skin conditions.
• Hormonal fluctuations – changes in hormones can affect skin’s appearance, metabolism, and regeneration. It can contribute to dryness, wrinkles, or sagging.
• UV damage – prolonged and unprotected sun exposure can damage skin cells and disrupt their ability to regenerate.
• Pollution – this induces oxidative stress, damages the skin barrier, and triggers inflammatory responses, which can all negatively affect skin metabolism.
• Chronic stress – this negatively affects different bodily functions, including skin metabolism. Too much cortisol or stress hormones can compromise the skin barrier.
• Unhealthy lifestyle – can include lack of sleep, poor diet, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle. These can hinder the skin’s ability to repair and regenerate, as well as impair nutrient delivery, which can result in dullness, aging, and certain skin conditions.

What can you do to boost and support your skin metabolism?

The good news is there are things you can do to help speed up or enhance your skin metabolism. You can start with applying the right ingredients and engaging in habits that support your skin’s overall health. 

Load up on antioxidants

Antioxidants protect against free radical damage. Common antioxidants in skincare include:

• Vitamin C – helps protect against UV damage, speeds cell turnover, brightens the skin, and boosts collagen.
• Niacinamide – is a form of vitamin B3 that can improve skin texture, brighten skin tone, and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
• Vitamin E – a fat-soluble antioxidant that can protect the cells from damage due to UV rays and environmental aggressors. It also helps maintain a healthy skin barrier.
• Retinoids – are derivatives of vitamin A that have antioxidant properties. They help protect the skin against free radicals and can improve various skin conditions, including acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.

Incorporate peptides in your regimen

Peptides are structural proteins that boost microcirculation and strengthen the skin’s layers. Thanks to their ability to penetrate the skin effectively, peptides signal and instruct cells to carry out specific functions. In skincare, there are peptides that can stimulate collagen and elastin production, repair damage, reduce wrinkles, and improve skin firmness and elasticity, giving your complexion a more youthful and revitalized appearance.

Know and meet what your skin needs

This means knowing and understanding your skin type and identifying specific concerns to build a routine tailored to your needs. If you, for instance, have oily or acne-prone skin, go with light or gel-based moisturizer instead of heavy formulas that can clog your pores. Avoid following a generic, one-size-fits-all skincare regimen, as this can worsen existing issues and prevent your skin from functioning at its best.

Clean your skin gently and properly

Pollution can take a toll on the skin and contribute to skin aging and dullness. This only makes it important to thoroughly cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser or a formula that is right for your skin type. You can also double cleanse if you wear makeup but make sure not to rub your face dry and use hot water. Always follow up with face moisturizer or serum right for your skin type.  

Always keep your skin moisturized

Apart from maintaining your skin barrier, moisturizing properly reduces your risk of having extremely oily or dry skin. For protection against moisture loss, you might want to use a formula with humectants and emollients. Humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid) draw moisture to the skin surface while emollients make the skin soft and smooth, decreasing dryness and itching.

Protect your skin from the sun

Prolonged and unprotected UV exposure is one of your skin’s worst enemies. It can damage the skin, speed up skin aging, and worsen other concerns you have. Make sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily with an SPF of at least 30. Apply 20 to 30 minutes before going out and reapply after swimming, sweating, and toweling off. 

How Sanctuary by Cutis can help

If you have skincare concerns that you wish to improve, reach out to Sanctuary by Cutis in Singapore today. Aside from our medical-grade skincare and at-home devices, we also offer non-invasive procedures that can promote collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and help you achieve healthy, glowing, and younger-looking skin. 

Some of the procedures that can help include:

• 10D Care-9 Ultrasound RF Skin Tightening – uses ultrasound and radiofrequency technology for non-invasive facial lifting, skin tightening, and body contouring. It helps stimulate collagen production and improves skin firming and elasticity.
• Imperium Face – uses combined therapies to clean, repair, and nourish the skin. It also offers anti-aging benefits, such as lifting, firming, and reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and folds. Imperium Face treatments also generate a targeted increase in temperature to help stimulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
• FaceStim – combines bipolar radiofrequency and muscle contractions to sculpt the face and address signs of aging. It helps with stimulating new collagen and achieving lifted eyebrows and midface, as well as a firmer neck and jawline area for a refreshed, rejuvenated look.

WhatsApp us at +65 9780 2079 to book an appointment and make us your partner in achieving your beauty goals and needs.