The skin is made up of two main proteins:

1. Collagen
2. Elastin

Collagen is a hard, fibrous, insoluble protein that makes up the framework of our skin. It gives your face it’s structure, tightness, and form.

You consistently produces collagen until the age of about 40, and after that it starts to decline.

There are 28 different types of collagen. Type 1 collagen makes up about 90% of the total collagen in the body, and is the primary type found in the skin. Collagen fibers are stronger than steel, gram for gram.

Stress = skin breakdown.

Cortisol, the adrenal hormone released in times of stress, stimulates the breakdown of skin collagen into amino acids.

Sugar intake = skin breakdown.

Collagenase is the enzyme that breaks down collagen bonds leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. Collagenase is stimulated by sugar. 

More sugar = more wrinkles.

Collegenase and skin breakdown can be inhibited by:

1. Green Tea polyphenols
2. Quercitin

Elastin is a fibrous, flexible protein that gives your skin its stretch and “elastic type” capability. The ability to “snap back” after a stretch, a smile, or a frown.

Elastin forms a 3-dimensional network between collagen fibers.

Aging naturally reduces elastin; it results in sagging around the neck, jaws, and chin.

Products That help prevent breakdown of collagen and elastin:

• Vitamin C
• Amino Acids: Glycine, Alanine, Proline, and Valine
• Takesumi or Activated Charcoal-helps pull toxins in the digestive tract, great for skin
• Bilberry
• Natural Progesterone Creams(in menopause)
• Vitamin K2 (Along with D3)

The General Rules to Save the Skin

1. Decrease Sugar, Starches, Carbs, and Alcohol
2. Increase Vitamin C
3. Stop smoking
4. Stay sun safe
5. Exfoliate
6. Increase water!