The skin
Protective cover and regulator of the body
The skin is the organ of our body with the largest surface. It has a variety of functions as protection against external influence, heat regulation, metabolic processes effects and immune defence.
The skin mainly consists of three layers:
- epidermis (upper skin)
- dermis (true skin)
- subcutis (subcuteanous tissue)
The structure of our skin
Skin aging starts in most of the people in the mid twenties, but this can change from individual person. First signs are formation of small wrinkles and loss of tensions1. With the age the amount of collagen and elastin is reduced. Subcutaneous fat tissue is being reduced, thus water and fat amount are decreasing2. Skin looses elasticity as less fat is produced and its regeneration potential is being reduced, what might have an effect on wound healing3.
A healthy life style and balanced nutrition can slow down this process (but not stop it). Cosmetic measures affect mainly the upper skin and have a timely limited effect. As well the effect of specific food supplement on skin structure and aging has been tested. Different studies4-6 have show that collagen peptides can have an effect in the deeper skin layer and that their intake might led to a reduction of wrinkles and increase of elasticity.
References
- J Krutmann, T L Diepgen, C Billmann-Krutmann. Hautalterung: Grundlagen – Prävention – Therapie. Springer
Berlin Heidelberg, 200 - https://www.stern.de/gesundheit/haut/grundlagen/hautalterung-spuren-der-zeit-3760142.html
- https://www.yaacool-beauty.de/index.php?id=22&letter=Z&item=152&cHash=63bcfd34d0
- Proksch E. et al. 2014; Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2014; 27:113-119; Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen
Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis. - Proksch E. et at. 2014; Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2014; 27:47-55 Oral Supplementation of Specific Collagen
Peptides Has Beneficial Effects on Human Skin Physiology: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. - Schunck et al, 2015; J Med Food, 18 (12) 1340-1348; Dietary Supplementation with specific collagen peptides
has a body mass index-dependent beneficial effect on cellulite morphology
