There has been much research directed at finding a cause for skin ageing and more and more research is being conducted in this direction as anti-ageing becomes the ‘Holy Grail’ of the skin care industry. Although much more research still needs to be done there are some interesting facts to be gleaned from the printed research conducted to date. One common denominator in this research is that the skin goes through a stage of inflammation when it undergoes trauma. Some of the major causes of inflammation include wounds, burns, excess UV exposure, trauma, stress, toxins, infections, immune system reactions, alcohol abuse, chemical irritants and poor diet. This inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to stress, irritation and wounding, and is an early part of the process of rejuvenation and healing. In a lot of cases this is a good thing and is necessary for repair of any cell damage, particularly if the inflammation is an isolated incident. However when inflammation occurs for an extended period or becomes a normal state of affairs our immune system can mistakenly attack normal or healthy tissue.
Prolonged inflammation can lead to excessive free radicals which cause resultant cell breakdown and a marked reduction in collagen production. When this state of affairs is allowed to occur it permanently affects the ability of the cells to repair themselves and results in the visible signs of ageing. As we get older the metabolic rate of our skin cells slows down and some cell functions go awry, producing more free radicals and dysfunction which causes further inflammation, reduced Collagen and Elastin production, and increased lines and wrinkling as a result. Many skin conditions such as eczema, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, prolonged adult acne, and premature ageing can be linked back to prolonged periods of inflammation.
It has become increasingly important for the skin care industry to shift the focus from counteracting the visible signs of ageing to treating the cause of the inflammation, or at the very least treating the inflammation itself. It is important to feed the skin with anti-inflammatory ingredients, antioxidants, and collagen building vitamins. At the same time we need to scour the ingredients of all the products we apply to our skin to ensure that they are free from irritants and toxins. It is also important to consider our diet to ensure we restrict the toxins and increase the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that we eat, whilst feeding our skin from the outside.
Mother Nature has given us a wonderful bounty of rich natural oils and plant extracts that provide us with the ability to nourish the skin with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich ingredients directly through topical application to the skin. This is the most direct route for getting the correct ingredients in the right place at the right time. All of these factors need to be taken into account when choosing a skin care range. DJK Natural Skin Care Pty Ltd produces a Natural and Organic range of skin care products designed to bring your skin cells into a healthy and optimally functioning state. This is their best option for combating inflammation and reversing any damage caused by previous inflamed states.
Tony Knott
Skin Health Scientist – DJK Jozi Natural Skincare (Pty) Ltd
