Biohacking with Skincare - How Skin Health can Influence Longevity

It’s easy to recognize how the bark of a tree or the skin of a fruit protects the overall health of the plant, yet we often overlook the importance of our own skin.

While we typically view health from an “inside out” perspective, what if adopting optimal skin care practices, self-care, and "biohacking" can enable us to work from the “outside in”?

Historically, skin weathering or aging has been considered purely cosmetic, but modern research begs us to take a closer look at how skin health shapes our overall health.

 

 

What happens on a cellular level when the skin is damaged.

 

The skin faces a daily barrage of external stimuli. Harmful factors can cause injuries or infections, resulting in wounds, inflammatory skin conditions, skin aging, or even skin cancer. Skin Inflammation occurs as a reaction to damage to the skin barrier. (3)

Once skin integrity is compromised the body loses its ability to regulate important cell functions and processes.

 

 Antioxidants and Reactive Oxygen Species

A key process in the body is the antioxidant system, which eliminates reactive oxygen species (ROS). The skin generates ROS in response to both internal and external stressors, such as diet, lifestyle, chronic illness, stress, UV exposure, and pollution. This buildup of ROS can lead to oxidative stress, resulting in skin cell senescence- biological ageing at the cellular level and inflammation. (2)

 

Research on oxidative stress has gained a lot of attention because it is linked to various health issues, including heart, lung, brain, infectious diseases, and skin conditions. Studying how the balance between harmful substances (oxidants) and protective substances (antioxidants) affects the skin could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat skin disorders. (15)

 

 Senescent (Zombie Cells)

Senescent (aged) cells can no longer divide and enter a permanent state where they can't grow anymore, known as cellular senescence. These senescent cells can’t multiply, are resistant to dying off, and release substances that cause inflammation and damage to tissues. Research shows that these cells build up as we age and can lead to changes in the skin and other age-related issues. (16)

These Senescent Cells trigger their own inflammatory chemicals and the result is a negative inflammatory feedback loop and accelerated skin cellular aging. We even have a term for it; “Inflammaging”. (14)

 

 

Skin Health Is More Than Skin Deep

 

We are now learning that damage to the skin is more than just skin deep. When skin integrity is compromised, so is health. Recent findings highlight that the skin serves as a vital indicator of overall health and can reflect various diseases within the body. (1)

Stressed skin has been linked to immunosuppression (8), while chronically inflamed skin has been directly linked with organ and systemic inflammation. (9,10).

 

While we have long appreciated these effects on a cosmetic level, we are now learning of the broader effects and the importance of maintaining skin health and skin self-care.

 

 

Biohacking Through Skincare

 

It makes sense that anything we do to take care of our skin’s health should have effects for the rest of our health. Improved skin health & longevity = improved overall body health & longevity.

 

Some suggestions for skin self care include –

 

• Taking adequate sun protection measures, including avoiding the mid-day sun, covering up, and wearing a high quality sunscreen - we recommend factor 50+ zinc-based and my current favourite sunscreen company is @wearefeelgoodinc

• Keeping hydrated - both by drinking plenty of water and keeping the skin hydrated with a moisturiser. Healthy skin is synonymous with well-hydrated skin. (4)

• Eating a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds - foods like tomatoes, carrots and oranges have all been shown to increase the skin’s natural resistance to sun damage. While foods like turmeric, ginger, garlic, salmon, sardines, almonds, walnuts, olive oil, avocados, green tea and a variety of other fresh and natural foods, reduce inflammation. “A diet higher in vegetables, fruit, and olive oil was found to have a protective effect on the skin”. (5)

• Getting enough sleep to give the body the best chance to restore itself. Chronic poor sleep quality is linked to more noticeable signs of intrinsic aging, reduced skin barrier function, and lower satisfaction with one’s appearance. (6)

• Avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, processed sugars and prolonged stress, all of which can lead to inflammation and DNA damage.

• Intermittent fasting - there are some excellent resources to learn about fasting and the effects on reduced inflammation and improved cellular repair. “Fast like a girl” is written specifically for women looking to incorporate fasting into their lives, as it’s vital to consider the hormone cycle when addressing diet. Fasting has proven effects on skin health and mental wellness. (7)

• Getting enough vitamin D - we get Vitamin D partially from sunlight (it absorbs through our skin) and partially from dietary sources (mushrooms, egg yolks, oily fish). Interestingly enough, getting vitamin D from exposure to the right amount of sunlight, actually serves to protect our skin from many of the effects of sun damage. Adequate vitamin D levels have also been associated with good skin health (reduced dermatitis), (12) prevention of Alzheimers, Diabetes and Depression, (13) as well as proper immune system, musculoskeletal and hormonal modulation. It’s such an important vitamin, and many of us are actually deficient without realizing. (12) While sunscreen blocks UV that is required for vitamin D absorption, a practical recommendation is 5 to 15 min of unprotected sun exposure between 10am - 3pm “at least 2 times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back.” and/or vitamin D supplementation. (13).

 

 

Another skin self-care we advocate for is using high quality, plant-based, cosmetic products on the skin of the entire body, not just the face. As we’ve outlined before, having great skin feels good from a psychological standpoint, and it is so much more than purely vanity. 

 

 

Written by Ingrid Van Den Berg Founder and CEO of Radical Botanics and Medically Reviewed by Summer Baker, RN, BSN, and Certified Breastfeeding Educator, specializing in Nutrition before Birth, and Beyond & Mairead McCorry, Masters Sc. in Acupuncture, Bachelor of Nursing, Post Grad. Dip. Education, Adv. Dip. Ayurveda Medicine.

 

 

Sources

1.  Hamm, S. (2024) Where dermatology is more than skin deep. Yale School of Medicine. Updated 09/23/2024 https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/where-dermatology-more-than-skin-deep/
2. Liu, H., Cheng, M., Xun, M., Zhao, Z., Zhang, Y., Tang, W., Cheng, J., Ni, J., & Wang, W. (2023) Possible Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress-Induced Skin Cellular Senescence, Inflammation, and Cancer and the Therapeutic Potential of Plant Polyphenols. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24(4):3755. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043755
3. Lin, TK., Zhong, L., & Santiago, JL. (2017) Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. Dec 27;19(1):70. doi: 10.3390/ijms19010070. PMID: 29280987; PMCID: PMC5796020. 
4. Załęcki, P., Rogowska, K., Wąs, P., Łuczak, K., Wysocka, M., & Nowicka, D. (2024) Impact of Lifestyle on Differences in Skin Hydration of Selected Body Areas in Young Women. Cosmetics. 2024; 11(1):13. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics11010013
5. Yang, T., Chen, L., & Huang., X. (2024) Examining How Diet and Lifestyle Influence Skin Appearance through a Common Risk Factor: Excess Iron—A Comprehensive Review. Cosmetics. 11(4):108. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics11040108
6. Oyetakin-White, P., Suggs, A., Koo, B., Matsui, MS., Yarosh, D., Cooper, KD., & Baron, ED. (2015) Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015 Jan;40(1):17-22. doi: 10.1111/ced.12455. Epub 2014 Sep 30. PMID: 25266053. 
7. Maloh, J., Wei, M., Hsu, WC., Caputo, S., Afzal, N., & Sivamani, RK. (2023) The Effects of a Fasting Mimicking Diet on Skin Hydration, Skin Texture, and Skin Assessment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Med. Feb 21;12(5):1710. doi: 10.3390/jcm12051710. PMID: 36902498; PMCID: PMC10003066. 
8. Ullrich, S., Kim, T., Anathaswamy, N,. & Kripke, M. (1997) Sunscreen Effects on UV Based Immune Suppression. The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc, Texas, USA. 
9. Hardman, C., Chen, YL., Wegrecki, M., (2022) “CD1a promotes systemic manifestations of skin inflammation” Nature: Cellular & Molecular Immunology” 13: 7535 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-35071-1
10. Itamura, M., Sawada, Y., (2022) “Involvement of Atopic Dermatitis in the Development of Systemic Inflammatory Diseases” International Journal of Molecular Science, 23(21):13445 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36362231/
11. Zulli, F., Suter, F., Blitz, H., & Nissen, H. (1997) CM Glucan: A Biological Response Modifier from Bakers Yeast for Skin Care. SOFW- Journal 123, Jahrgang 8. 
12. Ambagaspitiya, A., Appuhamillage, G., Dassanayake, R., “Impact of vitamin D on ultraviolet-induced photoaging and skin diseases” (2024) Exploration of Medicine 5: 363-383, https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/em/Article/1001225
13. Kaushal, M., Magon, N., (2012) “Vitamin D in midlife: The sunrise vitamin in the sunset of life” Journal of Midlife Health 3(2): 97-99 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3555035/
14. Ferrucci, L., & Fabbri, E. (2018) Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty. Nat Rev Cardiol. Sep;15(9):505-522. doi: 10.1038/s41569-018-0064-2. 
15. Hardman, C., Chen, YL., Wegrecki, M., (2022) “CD1a promotes systemicmanifestations of skin inflammation” Nature: Cellular & Molecular Immunology” 13: 7535 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-35071-1
16. Csekes, E., & Račková, L. (2021) Skin Aging, Cellular Senescence and Natural Polyphenols. Int J Mol Sci. Nov 23;22(23):12641.doi: 10.3390/ijms222312641