Your Battleplan to Combat Aging Skin: Nutrients, Supplements and More, Part 3/3

In this concluding edition of a three-part series on skin rejuvenation, we discover specific topical inteventions and supplemental nutrients that have the most potential to combat aging skin.

anti aging skin cream to support skin structure and function

TO THOSE of you who just want the bottom line conclusions, and yet have waded through Parts 1 and 2 of this aging skin saga; my apologies.  Now, finally, you get what you seek – the product solutions to combat aging skin.

Actually, I should be a bit more reserved, for none of the supplements, lotions and potions we’ll be reviewing here are miraculous.  A sixty year-old face will not revert to its thirty year-old visage after using any of the forthcoming protocols

However, improvements to skin structure, thickness and wrinkle depth and frequency could happen, and so let’s dive in and discover what may be possible.

For those of you who have not read the articles precedent to this in this three-part series, consider doing so.

In Part 1 we examined skin anatomy and function, reviewed the various intrinsic and extrinsic factors behind skin deterioration, and examined dietary solutions.

In Part 2 we explored how to combat aging skin with hormone therapy, nutritional supplementation and topical therapies

Now, here in Part 3 we’re finally ready to tackle specific products and protocols that will help to combat aging skin. As with Part 1 and 2, this article is largely based on the Life Extension Foundation protocol.

In this article, we’ll examine:

  • Diet,
  • Topical Interventions,
  • Supplemental Nutrients, and
  • Blood Tests.

 

Diet

Doubtless, you’ve heard it before – nothing can overcome a bad diet.  If you eat food and drink that tax optimally performing hormones and cellular health, no skin lotion, potion or supplement is going to prevail.

Youthful looking, vibrant skin is within reach if you BOTH dedicate yourself to comprehensive skin care, AND consume a healthy diet.

What’s a healthy diet?

Well, there’s plenty of information designed to answer that question, and I took a crack at it in Part 1, where the focus was on the ideal nutrition to combat aging skin.  In addition to that, check out these posts on diet:

If you can’t be bothered to read about diet stuff, just remember this pithy quote by journalist and foodie, Michael Pollan:

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.

(If most of what you eat comes in wrappers, cans, bottles and boxes, you may wish to see what Pollan considers being “food” in his 7 Rules for Eating.)

There’s one other important thing to put in this “Diet” section, and that it WATER.

Your skin reveals hydration. The less water that’s held on our skin, the more “papery” is appears, and the more wrinkles are evident.

Do the press pinch tests…

  • Press: Place your thumb upon the skin midway along your shinbone. Squeeze hard and hold for 10 seconds, then release and see how quickly the indention returns to normal – fills back up, sorta speak. If it does not return to normal immediately, you may by dehydrated.
  • Pinch: Grab some skin on the back of your hand with your thumb and forefinger and lift it up a bit. Hold and release. If the skin doesn’t immediately return to normal, but stays puckered a bit, you may be dehydrated.

Try to drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of filtered water each day. (But don’t use plastic bottled water.)

If you can, exercise enough to sweat and/or use a sauna regularly (not steam, but the dry heat of a sauna).

Both exercise and a sauna will pull the water out of you, and that is a cleansing action very beneficial you your health, particularly your skin, as impurities on the skin surface will exit via sweating, rather than be recycled and cleansed by other organs of elimination.

So, in effect, think of water as a two-way street (or a recycling system)… try to ingest water and then excrete it every day to improve your skin and overall health.

OK, now let’s dig into topical interventions and supplemental nutrients to support skin health, the background science of which is presented in OK,

 

Topical Interventions

As the term implies, “topical interventions” are ointments and lotions that can be applied to skin to protect, support and enhance its structure and function.  The science and information behind the usefulness of what’s presented below to combat aging skin is in Parts 1 and 2.

Click any of the links to get more information, and to make a purchase.  (Note: some are affiliate links.)

Sunscreen — with dual protection against UVA and UVB, in a photostable complex that also contain added active ingredients that offer support for skin structure and function).

Light daily moisturizerFace Rejuvenating Anti-Oxidant Cream is a comprehensive daily moisturizer that combines moisturizing agents, antioxidants, and bioactive peptides.

Intensive nighttime supportSkin Care Collection Night Cream is a heavier nighttime cream containing hydrating moisturizers as well as the natural hormone melatonin, which will support structural regeneration within facial skin during sleep.

You may remember that in Part 2 it was mentioned that DHEA levels in the body begin to decrease after age 30, and more quickly in women.  To counteract this decline, it may be useful to use lotions containing DHEA because:

  • DHEA has powerful skin protective effects, particularly in protecting the delicate skin vessels of skin when applied topically.
  • It has antioxidant action against free radicals and can limit the bioactivation of some toxins.
  • It can blunt chemical carcinogen-induced DNA damage.
  • Topical DHEA may improve skin brightness and texture in postmenopausal women after 4 months of treatment.

Targeted topical support. Look for specially formulated blends of functional ingredients specifically designed for your skin concerns, such as:

Under-eye serum — Under Eye Refining Serum with oxidoreductase enzymes to support microcirculation may help those unwanted dark circles and “bags” under the eyes.

Uneven skin tone — If this is your issue, consider a serum containing a high-potency concentration of vitamin C, such as Vitamin C Serum.

If none of these are of interest, you can go to LifeExtension.com and search for “Skin Supplements”.  As of this writing, Life Extension Foundation offers among the most extensive, scientifically-backed supplements available anywhere, so you should be able to find what you want.

 

Supplemental Nutrients to Support Skin Health

Yes, a quick scan immediately takes you to information overload.  Well, the best advice I have is to either search for the supplement you know you need, or see which are interesting to learn more about by clicking the link.

As mentioned above, the science and information about the potential usefulness of what’s presented below to combat aging skin is in Parts 1 and 2.

Super Bio-Curcumin as highly absorbed BCM-95 ®)

Resveratrol

Super Ubiquinol CoQ10 with Enhanced Mitochondrial Support

SOD Buster combines plant-derived Aronia melanocarpa (chokeberry) extract with Extramel® melon concentrate to promote production of one of the body’s critical antioxidants: superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Se-Methyl L-Selenocysteine (Selenium).

Vitamin E aka Gamma E Tocopherol with Sesame Lignans (high gamma tocopherol mix).

Vitamins D and K with Sea-Iodine.

Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA with Sesame Lignans & Olive Fruit Extract

Mega Lycopene

Mega Green Tea Extract (decaffeinated)

Blueberry Extract and Pomegranate

Skin Restoring Ceramides

Super-Absorbable Soy Isoflavones, 60 vegetarian capsules

As mentioned above, if none of these are of interest, you can go to LifeExtension.com and search for “Skin Supplements”.

 

Blood Tests

If you don’t know your key vitamin levels, such as Vitamin D, or important blood markers, such as those that measure various hormone levels, then do consider getting a blood test.

I’ve written about some I’ve taken via the Life Extension Foundation in an article called, Blood Tests That Reveal Your Health Score.

Here are a few to consider:

Omega-3 Index Complete to determine your level of omega-3 fatty acids

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy Blood Test to determine your level of this critical vitamin, which many are deficient in, particularly people of color who live in high latitudes and therefore get little sun exposure.

Female Comprehensive Hormone Panel Blood Test: The Female Comprehensive Hormone Panel tests for thyroid, stress and sex hormones, as well as general health markers, including a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel, which is a complete metabolic panel with lipids.

Male Comprehensive Hormone Panel Blood Test: The Male Comprehensive Hormone Panel tests for thyroid, stress and sex hormones as well as general health marker tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel, which is a complete metabolic panel with lipids.

Female Panel Blood Test: This panel measures data essential to a woman’s health: complete blood count (CBC), chemistry panel (including cholesterol), hormones like estradiol, progesterone, DHEA and both free and total testosterone. It also reports on markers like C-reactive protein, circulating vitamin D levels, insulin and more.

Male Panel Blood Test: The Male Panel measures data essential to a man’s health: complete blood count (CBC), chemistry panel (including cholesterol), prostate specific antigen (PSA), estradiol, DHEA, and both free and total testosterone. It also reports on markers like C-reactive protein, vitamin D, homocysteine, insulin and more.

 

Your Takeaway

In Part 1, your takeaway was to:

  1. Dramatically reduce your consumption of foods and drinks that contain sugar.
  2. Dramatically reduce your consumption of foods and drinks that spike blood sugar, which are high glycemic carbohydrates. (More here.)
  3. Reduce sun exposure to 15-minutes for skin without sunscreen lotion.
  4. Manage your stress. (More here.)
  5. Stop smoking.
  6. Reduce alcohol consumption.

In Part 2, it was to:

  • Get a blood test to determine your hormone levels via Life Extension Foundation blood tests (see below).
  • Begin to add the minerals and plant polyphenols reviewed in this article, such as selenium, curcumin, onions, apples, citris fruit, caco beans, grape seeds, tea, berries and cherries.
  • Use high quality sun screen and lotions that contain cosmeceuticals, alpha-hydroxy acids, argireline, and other peptides.

And now, lastly, for this Part 3…

–> do something!

Yes, you now have a lot of information, but that alone will not improve your skin.  What will improve your skin is to actually do:

  • Eat a rainbow of colors
  • Drink lots of water
  • Sweat
  • Move
  • Select a topical intervention to try
  • Supplement where needed
  • Take a blood test

Indeed.
Life Extension Blood Testing

Over and out.

 

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

Disclaimer and Safety Information

Joe Garma is not a medical doctor, and neither he nor the information in this article — or anywhere on this website — can or should replace the attention or advice of a physician or other qualified health care professional. Anyone who wishes to embark on any dietary, drug, exercise, or other lifestyle change intended to prevent or treat a specific disease or condition should first consult with and seek clearance from a physician or other qualified health care professional.

Pregnant women in particular should seek the advice of a physician before using any protocol listed on this website. The information and protocols described on this website are for adults only, unless otherwise specified. Product labels may contain important safety information and the most recent product information provided by the product manufacturers should be carefully reviewed prior to use to verify the dose, administration, and contraindications. National, state, and local laws may vary regarding the use and application of many of the treatments discussed.

The reader assumes the risk of any injuries. The authors and publishers, their affiliates and assigns are not liable for any injury and/or damage to persons arising from this protocol and expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects resulting from the use of the information container herein.

The information and protocols on this website raise many issues that are subject to change as new data emerge. No information or suggested protocol regimens can guarantee health benefits. Joe Garma has not performed independent verification of the data contained herein, and expressly disclaim responsibility for any error in literature.

Last Updated on June 15, 2021 by Joe Garma

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Joe Garma
 

I help people live with more vitality and strength. I'm a big believer in sustainability, and am a bit nutty about optimizing my diet, supplements, hormones and exercise. To get exclusive Updates, tips and be on your way to a stronger, more youthful body, join my weekly Newsletter. You can also find me on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

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