The Body – Moisture Mechanics

by Dr. Robert Kleckner

You know, promise doesn’t soften skin. Still, we spend billions each year clinging to promises of fewer wrinkles, erasing age (liver) spots, eliminating itching, redness and flaking. It is our endless search, isn’ it? This science of eternal youth through better skin care.

The skin is our largest organ, serving as a barrier against the environment; it also regulates temperature, aids immune function, and is vital to our sense of touch.

As we age, our natural oil production slows down, and our skin has an increasingly difficult time retaining moisture. It becomes dry and it loses elasticity. Add to that arid climates, winter weather, forced air from heaters and air conditioners, prolonged exposure to harsh elements, and washing with abrasive soaps and you end up with older looking (and feeling) dry skin. Even though dry skin is part of life, remember that healthy skin is created by a healthy body; part of the blame of unhealthy skin lies in preventable lifestyle choices.

Aging skin becomes thinner, loses fat, and its youthful smoothness begins to fade as veins and bones become more prominent. Injuries to aging skin take longer to heal, so cover up! Sunlight accelerates skin damage. Its UV light damages the skin’s elastin. Skin’s like underwear— the loss of elasticity results in sagging and wrinkles. These too are inevitable, but the skin is actually able to repair itself. So why not help your skin help itself?

Drink and Moisturize. Hydration is important to healthy skin. Water is fundamental to the structural integrity of the cells which make up skin. But it is not water that keeps the skin from feeling dry, rather, it is the body’s natural oils that act as a protective barrier to keep moisture in. The term “moisturizer” can be misleading since it implies that it has the function of replacing the water content in the skin. Once water is lost from within the structure of the cell it cannot be replaced by any topical moisturizer. So you’ve got to drink and moisturize.

Keep Your Skin Healthy. Avoid sun exposure whenever possible. Don’t be fooled by cloudy skies; harmful UV rays easily pass through clouds and water. Don’t assume you’re all right since your skin doesn’t feel hot or you don’t detect a burn. Wear protective clothing including a fashionable hat that shades your face and neck, and groovy sunglasses that shield your eyes from UV rays. You’d also do well to avoid tanning beds, pills and makeup. You should know that tanning pills have a color additive that turns your skin orange, and while the FDA has approved this color additive for coloring foods, it hasn’t given the thumbs up for skin tanning use.

Smear, smear, smear. The best moisturizer is water, but only on a cellular level. For a topical solution, a barrier of natural oils prevents water from evaporating too quickly from the surface of the skin. Use the products, but first understand what they do.

I don’t need to give you a song and dance about lotions, creams, and ointments, except to offer a little homespun logic: Read labels. Lotions are easy to apply and don’t leave a greasy residue but have minimal protective qualities. Creams and ointments, because they have a lower water and oil content, tend to be more effective at moisture loss. If your face is really, really, dry, something for your elbows might be more what you need than a light face lotion.

Hands. When moisturizing your hands, don’t forget the fingernails; they are over 10% water. When dry they will lose elasticity, then crack and break rather then bend. So work your salves down to the fingernails and coat them.

Moisturize cuticles too. They are a seal to prevent moisture from escaping the nail folds (as well as unmentionables from getting into the fold).

$$$. When it comes to what you should spend, sometimes simpler is better, but it’s really up to you. It’s no secret that marketing is a game, and ad campaigns will attempt to lure you in with special additives that promise more than they can deliver. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Smoking. Smoking deprives skin tissue of oxygen and nutrients, in turn exposing you to free radicals that accelerate the aging process. Cigarette smoke, whether it’s yours or second-hand, diminishes the skin’s ability to regenerate itself. It really does contribute to a dull complexion and early wrinkles. Caffeine and alcohol also dehydrate the skin. But hey, make your choices—just be informed.

A few more tips: A humidifier can help by adding moisture to the air, but read manufacturer’s instructions about how to keep that water clean. Bathing less often relieves dry skin, and warm water is less irritating to dry skin than hot water.

This should not be earth-shattering, but I’ll say it anyway: Skin really benefits from good nutrition and ample rest—we could all benefit from a little of both. Food rich in antioxidants can help reduce free-radical damage and naturally promote healthy, younger-looking skin. A diet rich with fresh vegetables and fruit provides plenty of nutrients, or it may be more convenient to add a well-rounded whole food supplement to your diet. And yes, exercise also helps the skin by detoxifying, opening pores, and increasing circulation. It calms the nerves and promotes a deeper, more revitalizing sleep which means fewer bags and dark circles under the eyes.

Dr. Kleckner is the owner of Sonoran Wellness Center in Glendale, AZ. He is a graduate of Sherman College of Chiropractic and holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado.