Skin is our primary barrier to protect our body from the external environment around us.
Skin health is so important, for so many reasons. Our body can absorb chemicals through our skin, both good and bad ones. Our skin also protects us from harmful solar radiation. It can also generate extremely beneficial chemical compounds such as Vitamin D.
It’s important to have a thorough and well balanced understanding of the different factors that interact with our skin, both for the positive and the negative. One such example is sun exposure.
It has been promoted for years that sun exposure can be dangerous and harmful to our health. However, what is now being more understood is that sun exposure, at the right time of day, is extremely important for our health. This article by Dr Mercola is very helpful in outlining these points.
On the flip side, however, is the consideration of geographical location. For example, it is quite common to hear that the sun is a lot “stronger” here in New Zealand. I regularly hear comments from people who normally don’t burn in summer in other parts of the world, but who burn quickly and easily here in New Zealand. So, there are different factors to consider.
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Sun Protection
Especially here in New Zealand, this is so important. Protecting your skin, especially starting as young as possible, can go a long way to maintaining youthful skin for the rest of your life. Even if you haven’t been able to protect your skin for most of your life, there are many ways to rejuvenate and protect your skin going forward.
If you want some information about toxic ingredients to avoid in your sunscreen, and which ingredients to look for, this article from Dr Amy Myers is very helpful.
Ethical Zinc (AUS brand) is a brand I personally use and provides a range of tints (untinted, light tint, dark tint) at SPF50+ for different skin tones. It is made in Australia and ships internationally. It uses non-nano zinc oxide.
2. Liposomal Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful well-known antioxidant, which works to protect the DNA and cells in our body from damage. Vitamin C is also required for producing collagen within the body, which is needed for skin health, as well as our hair, muscles and connective tissue. This article is very thorough in outlining Vitamin C’s benefits for skin.
As mentioned previously, Liposomal Vitamin C is the more effective form of Vitamin C to take.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is now being recognised as one of the most important vitamins for overall health. It is produced in the body through the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, or can be ingested through certain foods such as oily fish or supplements. If taken via supplement form, it is important to note that it requires fat or oil to be absorbed by the body.
Vitamin D is critical in building and strengthening the immune system, as well as protecting the body against inflammation. It is therefore now recognised as an important factor in healing skin conditions such as eczema, which is a form of skin inflammation.
Since Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone, it can actually be stored in the body over long periods of time, such as over the winter months. The best way to check Vitamin D levels is via a blood test. Since it is stored in the body, it is possible to have too high levels of Vitamin D, generally caused by over-supplementation, which is something to be aware of.
4. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
One of the most amazing compounds, MSM is a form of organic sulfur, which has been found to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in the body, such as treating arthritis and joint pain. It is also useful for improving skin health, hair growth, muscle recovery, and even treating hayfever and nasal allergies. It is one very powerful compound.
It is generally recommended to take between 1-3 grams per day, depending on your needs and sensitivity to it. I’ve personally found that it keeps me awake at night if I take it after mid-afternoon, so I generally take one gram around lunchtime with food. I personally take it in capsule form, but it can be taken in powder form and dissolved in water. This is the brand I use.
As with any supplement, I would recommend starting slow and working out what amount works best for your body.
5. Liquid Collagen
By liquid collagen, I simply mean dissolving collagen powder into liquid, such as water. I’ve found it dissolves best in hot water. Collagen is probably best taken at night, as it is rich in glycine, which helps you fall asleep faster, but it can be taken at other times of the day.
Collagen is responsible for building healthy skin, hair, muscles, joints, connective tissue and bones. There are two main types of collagen powder, generally referred to as bovine or marine collagen. Both are beneficial and choice comes down to personal preference. I personally take this bovine collagen here, as it’s the most economical option I’ve found.