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Elastin is one of the proteins our body contains. As the name implies, it is responsible for the elasticity of our skin. As you age, your body stops producing elastin, and your skin becomes loose. However, elastin can be restored to give your skin a more youthful appearance. Greens, citrus fruits, broccoli, almonds and fatty fish are some good sources of elastin.
Elastin is necessary for restoring elasticity to your skin. If you want to reverse signs of aging and make your skin look firmer, consider investing in a serum or cream containing this ingredient. It also reduces wrinkles, and improves the skin’s barrier, protecting it better against bacteria, pollution, and the sun’s UV rays.
One key drawback of elastin is that products containing the protein may be quite expensive – so you would have to spend a fair amount to see long-term results. Another drawback is that there hasn’t been much research behind the beneficial effects of topical application of elastin. Retinoic acid is a more scientifically-backed anti-aging ingredient, for instance.
Pores are itsy-bitsy openings in the skin—and there are millions covering every millimeter of skin. There are two types of pores with different functions: sweat pores and oil pores. The sweat pore allows moisture, produced by sweat glands, to exude out to the surface of the skin, where it helps to cool the body in response to heat, exertion or fever. Sweat pores are so tiny, they are mostly invisible to the human eye.
The oil pore, on the other hand, is a bit larger. Oil pores are also known as hair follicles because these pores produce oil from the sebaceous glands, but they are also the openings from which hair emerges. The oils help to keep our skin and hair healthy. It is the oil pores that can get clogged with sweat, debris and other gunk, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Sweat pores rarely get clogged, as they are so tiny.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for keeping pores unclogged as well.
elastin may be effective for clogged pores, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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