Do you know what the 'extracellular matrix' is? Does that sound like something out of a science fiction movie to you? What about collagen? Elastin? Laminin? What do you know about these things besides remembering seeing them on bottles of shower gel and moisturizer? If you are nervous about premature aging skin, it is a really good idea to understand how your skin works and how we can help it work even better.

All animal tissues have a 'matrix', which their cells are immersed in. This has lots of 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 various different components that help our skin to keep itself flexible, soft and fresh. 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 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 significant protein chain is elastin. Elastin is a more flexible protein (not as rigid 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 called glycosoaminoglycans (or GAGs for short) and proteoglycans. These substances are a lot like the texture of mucus, and they work because they preserve the moisture in your skin.

As long as all of these components are working properly in our skin, our skin will remain youthful-looking and radiant. If you remember, 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 pollution, exposure to the elements, and just plain old aging, the body slows down its production of these proteins, thus weakening the extracellular matrix. The production of collagen and elastin and moisture holding molecules is naturally diminished as people get older. The cells get older, and since the body isn't making as many, our skin starts to look older, saggy, and drier than it used to.

How to Naturally Help your Skin to Heal Itself

As I had said, one of the major causes of this deterioration of the extracellular matrix is pollution and sun exposure, so be careful when exposing yourself to the elements. Quit 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 are probably familiar with the amazing new developments by scientific experts into the unbelievable properties of biological ingredients found in nature when applied to these affected areas. In case you weren't aware, people are in a frenzy buying these skin care products because these natural ingredients (such as mucous that garden snails secrete) have been found to increase the production of new collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. If you haven't been able to try any of these natural products yet, make sure you find some and try them out also, because if you apply them daily, and you protect yourself when you are outside, surely you will be able to aid tarnished skin before it's too late!