Long-Term Skin Health: A Scientific Perspective
Achieving healthy, radiant skin is a goal many individuals strive for. While genetics play a significant role, lifestyle choices and skincare practices can profoundly impact your skin's long-term health and appearance. At FROM WITHIN, we delve into the science behind effective skincare, exploring the impact of both topical treatments and nutritional strategies, with a particular focus on how the epidermis and dermis affect your skin's appearance. We also examine the effectiveness of skin creams in penetrating the dermis and whether sophisticated skincare is always necessary.
The Skin's Structure and Function
The skin is the body's largest organ, serving as a protective barrier against the environment. It comprises three primary layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis). Each layer plays a distinct role in maintaining skin health and appearance.
The Epidermis and Your Looks
The epidermis, the outermost layer, provides a waterproof barrier and contributes to skin tone. It is constantly renewing itself, shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones 1. The epidermis significantly influences your skin's appearance in several ways:
Skin Tone and Texture: The epidermis is responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour (Yousef et al., 2025). The distribution of melanin can create an even or uneven skin tone, affecting your overall complexion. The rate of cell turnover in the epidermis also influences skin texture. Slower turnover can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells, resulting in a dull and rough appearance (Yousef et al., 2025).
Hydration: The epidermis plays a crucial role in retaining moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and plump (Yousef et al., 2025). Dehydrated skin can appear dry, flaky, and lack-luster, emphasising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Protection: The epidermis acts as a barrier against environmental damage, protecting the skin from UV radiation, pollution, and other aggressors (Yousef et al., 2025). Damage from these factors can lead to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns.
Considering the epidermis's protective function, sophisticated skincare may not always be necessary. A primary focus on maintaining a healthy skin barrier can be achieved with simple, effective products that prioritise hydration and protection (Muenter, 2024).
The Dermis and Your Looks
The dermis, the middle layer, provides structural support, elasticity, and protection to the skin. It plays a crucial role in how your skin looks and ages:
Elasticity and Firmness: The dermis contains collagen and elastin fibers, which give the skin its strength and flexibility (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). As we age, collagen and elastin production decline, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and a loss of firmness .
Wrinkles: The dermis's structure and the amount of collagen and elastin present significantly influence the formation of wrinkles. As the dermis thins and loses elasticity, wrinkles become more prominent (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
Hydration: The dermis supports the epidermis in maintaining hydration. It contains blood vessels that supply nutrients and moisture to the epidermis, contributing to a plump and healthy appearance (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
Skin Creams and Dermal Penetration
The effectiveness of skin creams in penetrating the dermis and delivering active ingredients is a complex topic. While some ingredients, such as retinoids, have been shown to reach the dermis and stimulate collagen production (Day, 2025), many topical products primarily target the epidermis 6. Factors such as molecular size, polarity, and the condition of the skin barrier influence the penetration depth of skincare ingredients (Kim, et al, 2020).
Research suggests that certain formulations, such as those containing micronised collagen, may enhance penetration into the dermis (Lubart et al., 2022). However, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of various skincare ingredients on the dermis.
Nourishing Your Skin from Within
While topical skincare plays a role, the most reliable way to influence the health and appearance of all skin layers, including the dermis, is from within, through a balanced diet and targeted nutrient supplementation (Schagen et al., 2012). This approach ensures that the skin receives the necessary building blocks for optimal function and repair.
A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is crucial for supporting skin function and preventing premature aging (Schagen et al., 2012). For instance, vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, a protein that maintains skin elasticity and firmness.
Interestingly, age can affect the body's ability to produce and utilise certain nutrients, even with a healthy diet (Schagen et al., 2012). This is where targeted nutrient supplementation can be beneficial. For example, collagen production naturally declines with age, and supplementing with collagen peptides has shown promising results in improving skin elasticity and hydration (Sun, et al., 2022). Similarly, vitamin C supplementation can enhance collagen production and protect the skin from oxidative damage.
Beyond collagen and vitamin C, other nutrients play vital roles in skin health as we age. Vitamin D supports skin cell growth and repair, and deficiencies have been linked to skin aging and certain skin conditions (Cosgrove et al., 2007). Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain the skin's barrier function and reduce inflammation, which can be beneficial for conditions like eczema and psoriasis (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2025). Vitamin B12 is essential for cell growth and repair, and deficiencies can lead to skin discolouration and slow wound healing (Cosgrove et al., 2007).
Beyond Topical Solutions
While skin creams can provide temporary improvements, an holistic approach to skincare considers factors beyond topical applications. Lifestyle choices significantly influence skin health. Excessive sun exposure, smoking, and stress can accelerate skin aging and contribute to various skin concerns (Oizumi et al, 2024).
Conclusion
Ultimately, achieving long-term skin health requires a multifaceted approach. Combining a healthy lifestyle with a well-rounded skincare routine that includes appropriate topical products and targeted nutrient supplementation can help you achieve and maintain radiant, youthful skin for years to come. By focusing on the health of all skin layers, you can ensure that your skin remains strong, supple, and resilient, allowing it to perform its vital functions effectively.
While sophisticated skincare can offer benefits, it's essential to remember that a healthy skin barrier and proper nutrition are fundamental for long-term skin health. By prioritising these aspects and making informed choices about skincare products, you can achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy skin without necessarily relying on expensive or complex treatments.
References
Cao, C., Xiao, Z., Wu, Y., & Ge, C. (2020). Diet and skin aging—From the perspective of food nutrition. Nutrients, 12(3), 870. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12030870
Cosgrove, M. C., Franco, O. H., Granger, S. P., Murray, P. G., & Mayes, A. E. (2007). Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 86(4), 1225–1231. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/86.4.1225
Cleveland Clinic. (2025, February 5). Epidermis (outer layer of skin): Layers, function, structure. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21901-epidermis
Cleveland Clinic. (2025, February 5). Skin: Layers, structure and function. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/10978-skin
Day, D. (2025, February 5). Now & later: Immediate results vs. long-term benefits. https://dorisdaymd.com/blogs/dr-days-blog/now-later-immediate-results-vs-long-term-benefits
Oizumi, R., Sugimoto, Y., & Aibara, H. (2024). The potential of exercise on lifestyle and skin function: Narrative review. JMIR Dermatology, 7, e51962. https://doi.org/10.2196/51962
Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866
Schagen, S. K., Zampeli, V. A., Makrantonaki, E., & Zouboulis, C. C. (2012). Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology, 4(3), 298–307. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.22876
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, February 5). Supplements for skin health. Whole Health Library. https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/supplements-for-skin-health.asp
Yousef, H., Alhajj, M., & Fakoya, A. O. (2025). Anatomy, skin (integument), epidermis. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/
Lubart, R., Yariv, I., Fixler, D., & Lipovsky, A. (2022). A Novel Facial Cream Based on Skin-penetrable Fibrillar Collagen Microparticles. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 15(5), 59–64. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9122277/
Sun, Q., Wu, J., Qian, G., & Cheng, H. (2022). Effectiveness of Dietary Supplement for Skin Moisturizing in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in nutrition, 9, 895192. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.895192
Muenter, O. (2024, August 19). Is expensive skincare worth it? We asked dermatologists. Byrdie. https://www.byrdie.com/difference-between-expensive-and-affordable-skincare-4800708
Kim, B., Cho, HE., Moon, S.H. et al. Transdermal delivery systems in cosmetics. biomed dermatol 4, 10 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41702-020-0058-7