Do you know what the 'extracellular matrix' is? You may think that it came out of a science fiction movie, wouldn't you? What about collagen? Elastin? Laminin? What do you know about these things besides remembering seeing them on bottles of shower gel and moisturizer? If you are aprehensive about wrinkles, it is a good idea to comprehend how your skin works and how we can help it be more efficient.

All animal tissues have a 'matrix', which their cells are immersed in. This serves several important functions. Some of the most important ones are the growth of new cells, giving structure to the inner layers of our skin, and healing our wounds. This important substance is called the extracellular matrix. In this matrix we have various different components that help our skin to look soft, flexible and radiant. 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 the substances found here, and one of the strongest proteins in nature is collagen. Since collagen is so strong, it helps to give structure and strength to our skin. It happens to be the most abundant protein found in the body. Another significant protein chain is elastin. Elastin is a more flexible protein (not as strong as collagen) that helps our skin stretch, move, and then regain its original shape again. There are also two different substances which help our skin stay moist and fresh. These are called glycosoaminoglycans (or GAGs for short) and proteoglycans. These substances are a lot like the texture of mucus, and they are beneficial because they keep moisture in your skin.

As long as all of these components are working together in your skin, our skin will stay youthful-looking and radiant. If you remember, all the substances in the extracellular matrix are needed for our skin to have structure and moisture. However, the problem emerges when, due to aging, environmental contamination or too much exposure to the sun, the body slows down its production of these proteins, thus diminishing the extracellular matrix. The production of collagen and elastin and moisture holding molecules is naturally dimished as people age. The cells get older, and since the body isn't making as many, our skin begins to look dry, saggy, and old.

How to Naturally Help your Skin to Heal Itself

As I said, one of the major causes of this deterioration of the extracellular matrix is pollution and sun exposure, so take care to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Quit smoking if you haven't already done so, and don't forget to always wear sunscreen. And of course, by now you have probably already heard about the amazing new developments by scientific experts into the healing properties of biological ingredients found in nature when applied 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 the mucous that snails produce) have been found to increase the production of new collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. If you still haven't tried one of these natural products, make sure you get your hands on some of them 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!