Topical Skincare Products Not Working? Heal From Within
Your skin is probably the part of your body you pay the most attention to. You inspect it in the mirror daily, notice irregularities almost immediately, and apply countless products to protect or prevent issues you can see and feel. Ironically, it’s probably also the organ you take the most for granted.
A survey of 1,000 women aged 35 or older found that 73% of respondents buy products to reduce fine lines and wrinkles – only 15% feel like they’re effective [1]. The survey also asked women if they struggle to find skincare products that work in general – 90% reported some level of frustration, and 36% reported “serious frustration.”
Consumers spend billions of dollars on cosmetics and skin care products every year [2], yet aren’t getting the results they want. Why? Likely because skin health is not a superficial matter. It’s an external reflection of an internal environment.
Whether you experience wrinkles, acne, discoloration, dryness, itchiness, an odd texture, a mysterious rash, or any other skin issues anywhere on your body, buying yet another topical treatment is probably not the solution.
To achieve the results you want, you must understand how your skin works, what damages its proper function, and what it needs to be healthy. From there, you can incorporate the right habits into your routine and make more informed decisions when shopping for topical skincare products. (In other words, you can buy things that actually work).
Your Skin is Your Protector and Healer
Your skin is primarily a barrier that protects your delicate internal environment from the harsh exterior world. It helps regulate your body temperature, whether it’s below freezing or scorching hot outside. It holds moisture so your skin doesn’t shrivel and crack in arid climates. It alerts you when things are too hot, cold, or painful. It shields you from bacteria, viruses, and toxins in the air and on things you touch.
Your skin protects your vital internal organs and skeletal, venous, and muscular systems from daily impacts and minor injuries that might otherwise cause serious damage. It also heals those wounds and grows thicker to prevent damage in frequently worn areas (calluses).
If you have underlying health concerns, like chronic stress, dehydration, hormonal imbalances, allergies, or medical conditions, your skin will often let you know [3].
Looking Beneath the Skin’s Surface
There are three layers to skin:
Epidermis
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that protects your body from bacteria, viruses, toxins, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This layer is mostly made up of cells that produce keratin – a protein that strengthens the skin and makes it waterproof. You also have pores in your epidermis, which release sebum (oil) from underlying sebaceous glands to keep your skin moisturized.
The epidermis constantly renews itself, shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones every 28 to 40 days.
Dermis
Beneath the epidermis lies a thick and elastic layer called the dermis. It gives the skin its strength, flexibility, and nourishment. This layer contains collagen and elastin – two proteins that keep the skin firm and resilient. The dermis is also home to blood vessels – which supply your skin with oxygen and nutrients – and nerve endings.
You also have sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair follicles in your dermis. Sweat glands help regulate your body temperature, so does the hair that grows out of hair follicles. Hair also protects your sensitive external organs (eyes, ears, nose, and genitals) from dust, sweat, friction, and other irritants.
Subcutis
The deepest layer of your skin is made mostly of fat and connective tissue. It absorbs shocks to protect muscles, bones, and internal organs from injury. The fatty part of your subcutis insulates your body in the cold and acts as an energy reserve that your body can “burn” when needed.
The subcutis contains larger blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, which help transport nutrients, remove waste, and support immune function.
What Really Causes Common Skin Concerns?
Skin issues can be especially frustrating because they’re visible and almost impossible to ignore. To add to the frustration, most people can’t find a solution that actually works [1]. It seems to make sense that a surface-level concern, like acne or wrinkles, would require a surface-level treatment. However, the answer often lies below the epidermis.
Aging
Your skin constantly sheds old cells and replaces them with fresh ones, but the process slows down with age. Dead skin cells can build up, making the skin look dull or uneven. At the same time, your body produces less oil, collagen, and elastin, which is why aging skin begins to sag and develop wrinkles [4].
Oxidative Stress
UV radiation, air pollution, emotional stress, unhealthy foods, harsh personal care products, and other everyday factors increase free radical production in your body. These unstable molecules attack important skin components like collagen, elastin, and cell membranes [5]. Your body naturally produces antioxidants to combat free radicals, but the production slows down with age. As a result, skin starts to lose moisture, become weaker, and show premature signs of aging [4].
Toxins
Toxins are harmful substances that can cause cellular damage, inflammation, and weaken the skin barrier. Even short-term toxin exposure can make your skin dry, irritated, and prone to acne. Long-term exposure can lead to allergies, premature wrinkles, scarring, and discoloration [6].
Many skincare and cleaning products contain harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and artificial fragrances that disrupt the skin’s natural balance, strip away its protective oils, and trigger irritation [7]. Some toxins in beauty products even act as endocrine disruptors – they interfere with hormone function, leading to acne, skin irritation, and premature aging [8].
Emotional Stress
When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that triggers inflammation and increases oil production. This can lead to breakouts, redness, and irritation. Over time, stress-related inflammation can break down collagen and elastin, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging [9].
Stress can also trigger existing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea and slow down your skin’s healing abilities. Additionally, stress-related habits, like not getting enough sleep or picking at irritated skin, can make matters worse [9].
Gut Imbalances
Damaged gut lining allows toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that can cause acne, redness, eczema, and other skin conditions. Poor gut health also affects digestion and nutrient absorption, making it harder for the body to get the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin [10].
Hormonal Changes
Hormones influence oil production, hydration, collagen levels, and overall skin balance. When hormone levels fluctuate, whether due to puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or aging, your skin often responds with noticeable changes.
For example, estrogen and progesterone help keep the skin hydrated, firm, and elastic with collagen. As estrogen levels decline with age, collagen production slows down, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and reduced skin elasticity [11].
How to Protect and Rejuvenate Your Skin at Any Age
Cleanse
Remove all products from your skincare routine that contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and other harsh chemicals. Drink plenty of purified water to help flush toxins from your body and hydrate skin cells. Support whole-body detoxification with supplements designed to improve liver function and 20-minute sweat-inducing exercise routines [12].
Revive
Eat antioxidant-rich foods like berries, dark leafy greens, and colorful vegetables to fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress [13]. Vitamin C is proven to be excellent for supporting collagen production, which can support skin firmness and reduce wrinkles [14].
Take skin-supporting supplements like omega-3s (for hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits), zinc (for acne prevention and healing), and probiotics (for gut health, which impacts skin clarity) [15]. Oral collagen and ceramide supplements are shown to be excellent for maintaining hydrated skin, especially with age [16].
Balance
Prioritize quality sleep to allow your skin time to repair and rebuild collagen. Manage stress with meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to prevent stress-related breakouts and premature aging. Wear mineral sunscreen, long-sleeve clothing, and hats to protect your skin from UV damage [4]. Exercise regularly to increase oxygen and nutrient flow to skin cells.
Prioritize gentle skincare products with ingredients that mimic your skin’s natural moisturizing factors, like ceramides [17], free amino acids, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, and urocanic acids [18]. These ingredients will help keep your skin barrier strong, improve hydration, and reduce water loss.
You Have the Power to Heal
Your body is designed for wellness. With the right knowledge and consistent effort, you can reclaim your health and turn your respiratory system into a self-healing machine.
Your Body Is the Medicine is a Global Healing series that dives into eight self-healing systems, how they work, and what you can do to reignite your innate healing abilities.
In part eight of the series, we cover how your cardiovascular system plays a key role in your body’s overall healing journey.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
References (18)
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- U.S. skin care sales by segment. (n.d.). Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/551427/us-skin-care-sales-by-segment/
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. (2016, July 28). How does skin work? Nih.gov; Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279255/
- Russell-Goldman, E., & Murphy, G. F. (2020). The Pathobiology of Skin Aging: New Insights into an Old Dilemma. The American Journal of Pathology, 190(7), 1356–1369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.03.007
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- Anderson, S. E., & Meade, B. J. (2014). Potential Health Effects Associated with Dermal Exposure to Occupational Chemicals. Environmental Health Insights, 8s1(1), EHI.S15258. https://doi.org/10.4137/ehi.s15258
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Posted in: Health > Gut and Digestive Health, Mind and Body > Stress,
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
