By Mette Skjærbæk, Founder of Karmameju
A while back I was sent an article, based on scientific studies, that flipped my world of skincare upside down. In a good way.
I feel it is a great responsibility to formulate skincare for people’s biggest organ, the skin. We apply products topically, however, I consider skincare products as “food for the skin”, as a big part of the ingredients is absorbed into the body.
I have always formulated skincare to improve people’s skin. I have a great trust in nature and like to say that “I put nature into bottles” – the natural affinity to our skin, using ingredients that the body “understands” is the only type of products that makes sense to me.
The article that I am referring to, is this very enlightening piece from BBC, that very thoroughly explains how scientists have discovered why healthy skin is also an essential part of longevity - another of my big passions:
How can we live longer and better?
Earlier we have looked at the skin as a reflection of how we live our lives; sleep, hydration, nutrition, joy, stress, sensuality, sun/light, smoking, drinking, etc. However, many studies document that it works in other ways as well, where damaged skin can cause poor health.
Before I go any further, let me underline, that we are not talking about high-tech bioactive skincare and fancy ingredients. It is especially three main elements that are needed: Hydration, nourishment and SPF-protection.
We can all help prolong our health by ensuring well-functioning, balanced skin. In return, it will help protect us from developing age-related diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s and Type 2 Diabetes.
The article points out the studies that underline this claim:
The Baltimore Longitudinal Study commenced in 1958 and is America's longest-running scientific study of human ageing. Thousands of men, (and later women) were followed for decades to see how their health developed, whilst tracking genes and their environment as well. BLSA is world-renowned, having generated thousands of scientific papers and made major contributions to our understanding of what it means to get older.
Within the BLSA many different areas of ageing have been studied, and one of the most interesting findings for someone like me, so interested in all levels of skincare, is that how youthful you look is also a reflection of your inner health.
People that looked older than their age at the beginning of the study, was more likely to be dead 20 years into the study, than those who had looked younger than their age at the beginning.
This may come as no surprise, as we have always considered the skin a mirror reflection of our lifestyles, however, the study states how the skin is an active participant in our physical well-being; unhealthy, unbalanced skin causes ageing within us. In other words, we need to start looking at skincare, as we do with, as an example, dental health; as a way to stop disease processes from starting.
The reason why the skin is an active participant in our wellbeing has to do with the inflammatory processes in the body.
Inflammation is the body’s way to wake up the immune system with a cocktail of chemicals that helps fighting off infections or healing damaged tissue. With age, this fine system of inflammatory responses tends to overdo its job, releasing too many chemicals in the body that damage more than they heal – also referred to as “inflammageing”.
Research highlighted in the article, suggests that wrinkly, diseased or damaged skin is also part of the inflammatory response, as it releases chemicals into the bloodstream that lead to further damage and inflammation throughout the body. A vicious circle that, aside from degrading the health of your skin, also harms other tissues in the body, ultimately resulting in faster overall ageing and a higher risk of developing many types of diseases.
It does make sense when considering it all, of course our skin serves a purpose, with its impressive microbiome, and delicate pH level, not to mention; holding our entire corpus together.
The reason why the skin is an active participant in our wellbeing has to do with the inflammatory processes in the body.
Inflammation is the body’s way to wake up the immune system with a cocktail of chemicals that helps fighting off infections or healing damaged tissue. With age, this fine system of inflammatory responses tends to overdo its job, releasing too many chemicals in the body that damage more than they heal – also referred to as “inflammageing”.
Research highlighted in the article, suggests that wrinkly, diseased or damaged skin is also part of the inflammatory response, as it releases chemicals into the bloodstream that lead to further damage and inflammation throughout the body. A vicious circle that, aside from degrading the health of your skin, also harms other tissues in the body, ultimately resulting in faster overall ageing and a higher risk of developing many types of diseases.
It does make sense when considering it all, of course our skin serves a purpose, with its impressive microbiome, and delicate pH level, not to mention; holding our entire corpus together.
There are so many things we can do to maintain our health: give blood, sleep, use dental floss, and do cardio exercise, to name just a few. The list seems endless. However, skin health seems to be somewhat overlooked in the longevity talk in many circles of health advisers, despite its major role in overall health.
As mentioned in the beginning, hydration, nourishment (fat) and SPF protection are essential for maintaining good skin health.
A study from 2013 claims: “Indeed UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible facial ageing signs.”
Protecting our skin from overexposure to light is essential, both to avoid premature ageing of the skin and collagen degeneration, but also to avoid photodamage of the skin. From a longevity perspective, it is important to protect the skin from the inflammation that occurs when it is exposed to the sun. The chemical changes in damaged skin are the negative triggers for the aforementioned disease processes. Applying broad-spectrum SPF protection is, therefore, like a knight in shining armor in the fight against these inflammation processes.
Cream and oil to moisturise the skin are essential. As simple as it may sound, hydration and nourishment have been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation, with the key focus being, once again, to prevent inflammation. Photoaged skin and chronologically aged skin are drier than when we are young. Maintaining moisture levels creates a more effective skin barrier between the inside of our bodies and the outside world, keeping out infectious agents, environmental toxins, and allergens, while also locking in moisture.
Cream and oil to moisturise the skin are essential. As simple as it may sound, hydration and nourishment have been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation, with the key focus being, once again, to prevent inflammation. Photoaged skin and chronologically aged skin are drier than when we are young. Maintaining moisture levels creates a more effective skin barrier between the inside of our bodies and the outside world, keeping out infectious agents, environmental toxins, and allergens, while also locking in moisture.
In an international study from the mentioned article, researchers tracked two groups of older participants for a month. Group 1 applied moisturiser twice a day. Group 2 didn’t.
The researchers found that Group 1’s skin was significantly restored, with lower levels of three different classes of inflammatory chemicals.
The same research group went on to conduct a new study in which a group aged 65 and older moisturised their skin twice a day for three years, while another group did not. The results of the study showed that the moisturizing group did not experience a deterioration in cognitive function, whereas the non-moisturizing group declined significantly in cognitive function.
Dry skin is likely the biggest contributor to inflammageing, states Mao-Qiang Man in the article, as dry skin tends to have higher levels of inflammation, leading to itchy skin. And if you scratch the skin, the inflammation gets worse.
Hydration of the skin is primarily done with the help of humectants, ingredients that attract water from the air or from deeper in the skin like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera etc. A serum is a good example of a humecting product.
Nourishing the skin is primarily achieved with the help of emollient ingredients, such as plant oils and plant butters (in nature-based skincare). These ingredients help maintain the skin's hydration levels while softening and keeping it supple, providing a protective film on the surface of the skin. Face oils, body oils, and balms are examples of deeply nourishing products.
Good creams, lotions and moisturisers are formulated to be both hydration and nourishment for the skin. Remembering to use it – not only for beautiful skin – is integral for keeping the skin barrier intact and keeping those inflammatory chemicals at bay.
Skin is not just skin; it is an integral part of us as human beings. Skincare is not vain - it is healthcare.
We have a tagline at Karmameju that says: If you have a bathroom, you have a spa, and all the scientific documentation about the importance of skin health only makes me even more eager to inspire and encourage you to hit the bathroom with a good cup of tea, a candle and some soulful music.
Remember, when you consider skipping the body lotion or body oil in the morning, think of the incredible benefits they provide for your health, especially since the body has the largest surface area of the skin. If your skin feels dry and itchy: consider the chemical cocktail and inflammatory process in action and come to the skin’s rescue.
Working on the skin from the surface, as well as from within, will support your skin health in the best possible way, thus supporting your longevity journey. To me this is just beautiful.
Skincare has many benefits, both in terms of taking time to care for yourself as a loving ritual, and in keeping your skin glowy and comfortable. But most importantly, it protects you from disease processes that can be triggered within your beautiful system.
So, if you ask me: DO YOU. Take the time to care for yourself; it is the best thing you can do for all those you love and who loves you.
Love,
Mette
Working on the skin from the surface, as well as from within, will support your skin health in the best possible way, thus supporting your longevity journey. To me this is just beautiful.
Skincare has many benefits, both in terms of taking time to care for yourself as a loving ritual, and in keeping your skin glowy and comfortable. But most importantly, it protects you from disease processes that can be triggered within your beautiful system.
So, if you ask me: DO YOU. Take the time to care for yourself; it is the best thing you can do for all those you love and who loves you.
Love,
Mette
Skincare plays a vital role in overall health and longevity, beyond just appearance. Healthy, well-maintained skin acts as a barrier against inflammation, which can trigger various age-related diseases. Key elements like hydration, nourishment, and SPF protection are essential for preserving skin health, helping to reduce inflammation and prevent disease processes. Recent scientific studies have shown that caring for your skin not only improves its condition but also supports cognitive function and overall well-being, making skincare an integral part of the longevity journey.
Karmameju is changing the design. We're undergoing a design change in Karmameju's packaging. We are changing the visual identity to make it even easier for you to find the right products for your skinWith the design change, the former face ranges 01, 02 and 03 will be categorised as LOVING, CALMING and ENERGIZING as well as PERFUME-FREE. The products are still the Karmameju products you know and love, just in new colors.
