How do I get beautiful skin?

We all know that beauty comes from within! And now, genomics has provided the proof. We are not all the same when it comes to how well our skin will age. Knowing what your genetic predispositions are for the key areas that impact skin longevity will empower you to choose nutrients that will make your skin glow from the inside and beauty products that will support it from the outside. 

Knowing whether you are predisposed to poor elasticity and firmness, slow repair, sun damage and pigmentation, increased oxidative stress, skin inflammation, skin sensitivity and/or skin detox will help you to make the best skin health choices for YOU.

What exactly is ageing?

Ageing happens deep within your cells. The truth is that we won't all age the same. Depending on your skin genotype and your daily health choices, you may experience accelerated ageing from the inside, out. 

I have recently found myself talking more and more about 'cellular defence' or 'cellular health'. I think it has a lot to do with the many DNA results that I have reviewed that show genetic predisposition towards inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor methylation - all of these happen on a cellular level, globally throughout your body. 

Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. Your body is composed of trillions of cells. They provide structure, take in nutrients from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and carry out specialised functions. Cells also contain the body’s hereditary material (in your nucleus) and can make copies of themselves. But for those of us who never think about our bodies down to this miniature level, a new field of research is booming: cellular health, and its link to your “healthspan” including the longevity of your skin.

Cell damage also known as cell injury is a variety of changes of stress that a cell suffers due to external as well as internal environmental changes. This injury can be due to physical, chemical, infectious, biological, nutritional or immunological factors. Cell damage can be reversible or irreversible. 

In many ways, your skin can end up being a reflection of either your good or bad health choices at a cellular level. Excessive drinking, smoking, consuming bad fats, sugary fats and highly processed foods can result in tired, wrinkled and grey looking skin. Not a good look! Similarly, eating foods packed in phytonutrients, omega 3 and collagen together with regular exercise, moderate drinking, no smoking, and limited exposure to chemicals can make you radiate. 

The beauty of genomics is that it enables you to know where you need to provide more support or protection to your body in order to maintain beautiful skin. 

Why non-toxic, chemical-free beauty?

Since the "chemical revolution" after WW1, we have been exposed to chemical preservatives and ingredients in most of our beauty products. These agents were added to increase the shelflife of the product, improve its consistency, texture, and smell. 

Recently, organisations such as The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Halifax Project have studied the impact of these chemicals on our health and have found that exposure to certain chemicals, combined and compounded over time can result in certain chronic diseases including cancer.

My approach is to that if you have the choice to use non-toxic, organic, chemical-free skin products instead of chemically-enriched ones, then it is better for your cellular protection and for DNA repair to avoid and control the chemicals that you put on your skin.

Logically, if chemicals result in cellular injury then it holds true that they can actually result in accelerated ageing and for me, herein lies the incongruency of the chemically charged, anti-ageing business!

Key skin genotypes to look out for

If you carry a medium to high impact genetic variation or misspelling in one or more of the genes listed below, then you can start to make better, more personalised nutrition and skincare choices from your DNA up!

Having this personalised information really takes the guesswork out of your beauty shopping!

You can order the DNA SKIN test online below. You may also wish to visit our integrated SKIN SHOP to get a better overall view. 

If you would like assistance in putting together your "skincare regime" from your DNA up; you can book a Functional Medicine Health Coaching session online with me.

Healthy skin is an outfit that looks different on everybody. It's time to find your best fit!

Written by:
Marguerite Doig-Gander
CEO of MY DNA CHOICES
BA (Speech, Hearing & Lang Therapy) Hons | FMCHC | ReCODE Coach | HMX Genomics & Biochemistry (Candidate)