Do you understand what the 'extracellular matrix' is? For most people, that sounds like something they'd expect to see in a science fiction movie. What about collagen? Elastin? Laminin? Chances are, you may have seen them on bottles of shower gel or skin lotion. If you are worried about aging skin, it is a really good idea to understand how your skin works and how we can help it be more efficient.

All animal tissues have a 'matrix', which their cells are immersed in. This serves several important functions. Some of the most important ones are the growth of new cells, giving structure to the inner layers of our skin, and healing our wounds. This important substance is called the extracellular matrix. Inside this matrix we have lots of different components that help our skin to stay fresh and supple. Some of these help maintain its durability, and others help it stay moist. One of the substances found here, and one of the strongest proteins found in nature, is collagen. Since collagen is so strong, it strengthens our skin and gives it durability. As a side note, it is also the most abundant protein in our body. Another key protein chain is elastin. Elastin is a more stretchable protein (not as strong as collagen) that helps our skin stretch, move, and then regain its original shape again. The body also has two different substances that help moisturize our skin and keep it soft. These are glycosoaminoglycans (or GAGs for short) and proteoglycans. These substances are similar to the texture of mucus, and they are beneficial because they preserve the moisture in the skin.

As long as all of these components are working together in the skin, our skin will maintain itself youthful-looking and radiant. Remember that all the substances that are inside the extracellular matrix are needed for our skin to have structure and moisture. However, the problem comes in when, due to aging, environmental contamination or too much exposure to the sun, the body slows down its production of these proteins, thus deteriorating the extracellular matrix. The production of collagen and elastin and moisture holding molecules is naturally dimished as people age. The cells get worn out, and since the body isn't fabricating as many fresh ones as it used to, our skin starts to lose the fresh, radiant complexion it used to have.

How to Heal and Renuvenate your Skin

As I mentioned, one of the major causes of this deterioration of the extracellular matrix is pollution and sun exposure, so be careful when you are outside in peak hours of he day. Try to give up smoking if you haven't already done so, and always wear sun block. And of course, by now you are probably familiar with the incredible new developments by scientific researchers into the unbelievable properties of biological ingredients found in nature when applied to these affected areas. In case you weren't aware, people are quickly buying these skin care products because their biological ingredients (such as the mucous that snails produce) have been found to heighten new production of collagen and elastin within the extracellular matrix. If you haven't been able to try any of these natural products yet, make sure you check them out also, because if you apply them daily, and you protect yourself when you are outside, surely you will be able to aid damaged skin before it's too late!