Do you understand what the 'extracellular matrix' is? Does that sound like something out of a science fiction movie to you? What about collagen? Elastin? Laminin? Do you know anything about these things besides the fact that they are found in some shower gels? If you are aprehensive about aging skin, it is a wonderful idea to understand how your skin works and how we can help it be more efficient.

All animal tissues have a 'matrix', a substance which their cells are immersed in. This serves several 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 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 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 elastic-like 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 help us because they maintain the moisture in the skin.

As long as all of these components are working properly in the skin, our skin will maintain itself youthful-looking and radiant. If you remember, all the substances present within the extracellular matrix are indispensable for our skin to stay structured and moist. However, the problem starts when, due to pollution, exposure to the elements, and just plain old aging, the body stops making these proteins as quickly as it used to, thus diminishing the extracellular matrix. The development of collagen and elastin and moisture holding molecules is naturally dimished as people age. The cells get older, 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 Naturally Help your Skin to Heal Itself

As I had talked about earlier, one of the main causes of this deterioration of the extracellular matrix is overexposure to the sun, harmful elements and pollution. so take care to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Quit smoking if you haven't already done so, and always wear sun block. And of course, by now you have more than likely heard about the incredible new developments by scientific researchers into the incredible properties of biological ingredients found in nature when applied topically to these affected areas. If you're one of the few people who is not familiar with this, people are hurrying to buy these skin care products because their biological ingredients (such as mucous that garden snails secrete) have been found to increase the production of new collagen and elastin inside 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 dedicating yourself to applying them several times a day, and protecting yourself from harmful UV rays when outside, will help you to repair tarnished skin before it's too late!