About The Elements
The skin serves as an important chemical and physical barrier. It protects us from environmental stressors such as ultraviolet radiation, it regulates temperature, fights pathogens and prevents dehydration. There are internal and external factors that influence the condition and aging of our skin and determine how it looks and feels. Some factors such as the color of our skin and genetic skin conditions we cannot change, but we can influence many other characteristics. Sun protection, a daily skin care regimen and healthy diet can make our skin look healthy and young and delay aging. As we age, our skin cells turn over slower and new collagen production decreases. Environmental factors such as sun, wind and sea water can accelerate this process. It is possible to slow down aging as long as we care well for our skin and follow some basic skin care concepts, such as morning prevention and protection and evening restoration and replenishment of our skin
The Snow, Sun, Wind, and Water all have unique ways of putting our skin under stress and we will walk through the ways it does this and how to fight the damage!
Sun
The sun and the effects it has on our skin, both positive and negative, are vast! It allows the much needed process of photosynthesis to occur, feeding many of the organisms living on earth, in turn feeding us! The sun has positive effects on our emotional well-being, increasing the amount of dopamine released in the body, while strengthening our bones from the vitamin D that is absorbed from the sun’s rays. But there are two sides to every coin…
Wind
Wind is an elegant element that has helped give rise to the aviation industry and helped animal flight for a lot longer! Wind has filled the sails of ships for centuries, and more recently has advanced the green movement, providing a great source of renewable energy that we are able to convert at a very low pollution cost. But as it fills the sails of boats and moves the blades of wind turbines, it plays a factor in your skin’s health… Click the sailboat to learn more about the wind and your skin!
water
One of the reasons that we as humans have been able to thrive on this planet is because of water. About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is covered in water, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water. It nourishes plants, that absorb CO2 and emit oxygen, helping us take the breath we so desperately need.
Prochlorococcus and other ocean phytoplankton are responsible for 70 percent of Earth's oxygen production. However, some scientists believe that phytoplankton levels have declined by 40 percent since 1950 due to the warming of the ocean. [1] Salt water is where some of these benefits can turn into irritants for your skin. Click the wave to learn more about water and your skin!
Snow
Water comes in many beautiful forms and snow is just one of them. Fluffy, crunchy, packable, and rollable, it is an amazing element that can be found all over the world. From skiing down a mountain, to making snowmen, we love playing in the snow! But it’s what comes with the snow that can hurt our skin… Click the mountains to learn more about the snow and your skin!
