Do you understand what the 'extracellular matrix' is? You may think that it came out of a science fiction movie, wouldn't you? 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 wrinkles, it is a really good idea to comprehend 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 various important functions. These include healing our wounds, making sure our skin has structure, and facilitating the growth of new cells. This important substance is called the extracellular matrix. In this matrix we have many different components that help our skin to look soft, flexible and radiant. The function of some of these components is to maintain the strength or durability of the skin, and others to keep it moisturized. One of these substances, and one of the strongest proteins in all of 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 elastic-like protein (not as rigid as collagen) that helps our skin stretch, move, and then regain its original shape again. There are also two different substances which help our skin stay moist and fresh. These are glycosoaminoglycans (or GAGs for short) and proteoglycans. These substances are very similar to the texture of mucus, and they work because they keep moisture in the skin.

As long as all of these components are working together in your skin, our skin will remain youthful-looking and radiant. Remember that all the substances present within the extracellular matrix are needed for our skin to keep its structure and stay moisturized. However, the problem starts when, due to aging, environmental contamination or too much exposure to the sun, the body stops making these proteins as quickly as it used to, thus weakening the extracellular matrix. The production of collagen and elastin and moisture holding molecules is naturally dimished as people age. The cells get older, and since the body isn't making as many, our skin begins to look older, saggy, and drier than it used to.

How to Heal and Renuvenate your Skin

As I mentioned, one of the biggest 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. Stop smoking if you haven't already done so, and don't forget to wear sun block whenever you go out. And of course, by now you have more than likely heard about the amazing new developments by scientific experts into the unbelievable properties of biological ingredients found in nature when applied to these affected areas. If you're one of the few people who is not familiar with this, people are quickly buying these skin care products because their biological ingredients (such as the mucous that snails produce) have been found to increase the production of new collagen and elastin within the extracellular matrix. If you haven't been able to try any of these natural products yet, make sure you get your hands on some of them also, because dedicating yourself to applying them several times a day, and protecting yourself from harmful UV rays when outside, will help you to repair damaged skin before it's too late!