Do you know what the 'extracellular matrix' is? Does that sound like something you'd see on the sci fi channel? 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 great idea to know how your skin works and how we can help it work even better.

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. Inside this matrix we have many 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 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 main 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. 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 very similar to the texture of mucus, and they are important because they hold water in our skin.

As long as all of these components are working properly in the skin, our skin will maintain itself youthful-looking and radiant. Don't forget that all the substances that are inside the extracellular matrix are necessary for our skin to keep its structure and stay moisturized. However, the problem begins when, due to aging, environmental contamination or too much exposure to the sun, the body doesn't make as many of these proteins as quickly anymore, 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 worn out, and since the body isn't producing as many new ones, our skin starts to sag, look older, and dry out.

How to Heal your Skin

As I 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 remarkable new developments by scientific experts into the healing properties of biological ingredients found in nature when applied topically to these affected areas. In case you weren't aware, people are looking for these skin care products because their biological ingredients (such as the secretions that snails produce to protect themselves) have been found to enhance 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 applying them, along with protecting yourself when outdoors, will treat tarnished skin before it's too late!