AMINO ACIDS ARE VITAL COMPONENTS IN HEALTHY & YOUTHFUL SKIN

Updated: May 4, 2020

The amino acids form strings of long chains called peptides (1-100 amino acids), polypeptides (l00-200 amino acids), and proteins (over 200 amino acids).

Amino acids, the building blocks of all proteins, regenerating agents and antioxidants in our skin. Amino acids are absolutely essential to skin’s health. In order to stay youthful, skin needs certain amino acids that allow it to maintain its structure and systems of self-repair.

Vital components in skin beautification, amino acids contribute to cellular metabolism, hydration and UV light protection and can act as chemical messengers. Trying to keep skin strong without amino acids is like trying to build a house without any wood: it’s not going to stay standing for long! A proper balance of amino acids allows skin to stay healthy and glowing.

WHAT ARE AMINO ACIDS?

There are many amino acids, but most scientists agree that there are 20 that are important to our health, divided into two types: essential and non-essential.

The "non-essential" term doesn't mean that those amino acids aren't essential; instead, it means that your body can make them on its own, so it's not "essential" for you to get them elsewhere, such as from food or supplements.

"Essential" amino acids, on the other hand, are essential because they must be obtained from external sources such as foods, supplements, or skincare; a deficiency in even one of them can result in health problems.

There are nine essential amino acids: histidine isoleucine, leucine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine, methionine, phenylalanine. The best food sources of these amino acids include animal protein (seafood, beef, poultry), followed by animal by-products such as eggs and dairy. Vegan sources of essential amino acids include quinoa and soy/tofu. Beans and nuts also provide some amino acids, but not all of the essentials.

The 11 non-essential amino acids, which the body can make on its own, include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine. Several of these are also known as "conditional" amino acids, meaning the body makes them, but only under certain conditions, such as when we're under stress or illness.

Each amino acid plays a vital role in maintaining our health as well as the appearance of our skin.

AMINO ACIDS IN SKINCARE: WHY YOU NEED THEM?

Amino acids are a crucial part of the process of creating collagen, keratin, and elastin: connective and structural proteins that keep the skin smooth and healthy.

If the skin doesn't have enough of them, collagen and elastin production slows down, resulting in skin that's less firm and plump what contributes to premature aging and wrinkles (a process that begins around age 25 and continues with age, both in women and men).

Amino acids also promote healing (helping to repair skin damage), help maintain healthy PH, reject free radicals, and keep the skin's moisture barrier healthy.

AMINO ACIDS SKIN’S BENEFITS:

Skin Antioxidants: Amino Acids act as potent antioxidants and play an essential role in skin protection. They reject UV rays, Free Radicals, and environmental hazards while protecting our skin from sun damage, hydration lost, and wrinkles formation.

Skin Hydration: Amino acids have a distinct ability to bind to water molecules, allowing them to increase hydration in the skin significantly. They can also help protect the skin's moisture barrier by helping to balance PH levels. If your skin is properly hydrated - the less visible lines and wrinkles will be, leaving your skin supple and firm.

Skin Healing: Perhaps the most magical quality of amino acids is their ability to heal damaged skin and prevent tissue breakdown. Because they play essential roles in cell metabolism and the structural elements of leather, amino acids can increase cell turnover and even help reduce scarring and pigmentation.

WHAT CAUSES LACK OF AMINO ACIDS IN SKIN?

Skin cells, like all cells in the human body, are constantly renewing themselves. Since amino acids stimulate the production of Collagen, Elastin, and hydration, unbalanced ratios of amino acids will cause premature aging, wrinkles, dull and uneven skin.

WHY CAN'T WE APPLY TOPICAL HYALURONIC ACID INSTEAD OF AMINO ACIDS?

Both Hyaluronic acid and Collagen sit in the dermis (the protein layer of the skin). Due to the protective skin barrier, it's impossible to reach the dermal layer with topical skincare applications. Therefore, it's not very efficient. However, amino acids are regenerative agents that stimulate our skin's metabolism to speed up collagen and elastin production and re-hydrate the skin. Amino acids not only benefit the skin's appearance but also boost the skin's metabolism, which allows keeping the skin healthy and youthful in the long run.

THE BEST AMINO ACIDS FOR SKINCARE : WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN INGREDIENT LIST

There are several amino acids which have been proven to help dramatically improve the condition of the skin:

Glycine: Prevents tissue breakdown and increases rates of healing.

Glutamine: Like glycine, glutamine prevents tissue breakdown and increases rates of healing.

Tyrosine: Helps other ingredients penetrate the skin for maximum effectiveness.

Arginine: Increases cell turnover, improves collagen synthesis, and speeds up healing. It works so well that the application to frostbitten skin has been proven to prevent tissue loss!

Lysine: Hydrates skin and helps increase collagen production.

Alanine: Reenergize the skin and promotes the healing process

Proline: Improves fine lines and wrinkles when paired with other amino acids. Studies have demonstrated significant improvements in crow's feet with proline application!

Leucine: Acts at the wound healing processes and improves fine lines and wrinkles when paired with other amino acids.

Threonine: Participates in collagen and elastin formation.

Serine: Natural moisturizing agent. It is present at the skin metabolism process, promoting cell renewal.

Glutamic acid: Stimulates cells regeneration and boosts skin's metabolism.

Aspartic Acid: Increases absorption of the minerals in the skin. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.

These amino acids, while useful on their own, often work best in conjunction with each other. For example, a combination of lysine and arginine can effectively treat certain skin infections, while proline and leucine can fight wrinkles best when paired together!

CAVIAR A RICH SOURCE OF AMINO ACIDS FOR YOUR SKIN

Caviar is a Sturgeon fish eggs and a rich source of all essential amino acids for skin's health. Caviar it is a superb addition to skincare and especially great agent for mature, aged and dehydrated skin. It has extraordinary quantities of vitamins: A and D, Essential Amino-Acids, and Minerals.

COMPLEMENTARY INGREDIENTS TO AMINO ACIDS

While finding the best balance of amino acids in a skincare product is important, you should also look for ingredients that complement the effectiveness of your amino acid blend. Antioxidants and probiotics are excellent additions, as amino acids can improve the skin's ability to utilize them.

AMINO ACIDS FOR ALL SKIN TYPES

Since amino acids are naturally produced by the body, the acids themselves do not cause any skin sensitivity; our body can easily recognize them and quickly digest! With that said, all products are not created equal, and detailed research into skincare brands is always a good idea. Products with sulfates, unnatural fragrance, parabens, and phthalates can be harmful to skin and cause sensitivity.

INCLUDE AMINO ACIDS IN YOUR SKINCARE

Since certain amino acids can help other skincare ingredients penetrate the skin, it's best to use an amino acid product directly after cleansing and before any other serums or moisturizers. Gentle cleansing is a must, as you do not want to strip your skin of its all-important moisture barrier and unbalance your PH. The amino acids will help the skin utilize all of your skincare products' beneficial ingredients, making your regimen more effective over time!

DON’T FORGET TO APPLY SPF

Because the sun is skin's number one enemy, daily sunscreen application is a must in order to keep skin youthful. The sun's rays can damage the skin's ability to synthesize proteins, destroying the hard work of amino acids and other nutrients correctly. Always apply sunscreen SPF 30 and higher before any sun exposure.