Today, our diet is becoming increasingly low in nutrients (-40% since 1950), yet these nutrients are essential for the skin.
With today's stressful lifestyles, trace mineral deficiencies are becoming increasingly common. Now more than ever, supplements to address these trace mineral deficiencies are essential!
The trace minerals essential for facial skin are needed by the body in minute amounts. Among the best known,zinc helps soothe the skin and regulate sebum, while copper supports the skin’s radiance, firmness, and antioxidant protection. They are essential for growth, development, and all biological functions of the living body. In the skin, trace minerals regulate more than 200 biological reactions. They are indispensable for our energy production, collagen synthesis, nutrition, and more.
The Major Trace Elements
Skin oligotherapy addresses deficiencies in trace elements and minerals in the skin. Some of the most well-known include copper, iron, magnesium, calcium, silicon, potassium, and sulfur. Here are the main properties of three of these elements as they relate to the skin:
- Copper: It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It gives the skin a healthy glow and protects it. It plays a role in cellular detoxification.
- Zinc: It soothes redness and irritation. It improves skin firmness and elasticity. It purifies the skin and helps control excess sebum.
- Silicon: It deeply hydrates the skin, increases the elasticity of tired skin, and slows down cellular aging. As you can see, its functions are extremely diverse. We cover the entire spectrum of cosmetic and biological effects on the skin.
The Consequences of Deficiencies
What happens if we don’t get enough trace minerals? It’s important to know that we very often have trace mineral deficiencies, and that all such deficiencies can have significant consequences.
Why do we have nutritional deficiencies?
In the past, our diet was fairly balanced, thanks to the intake of fruits and vegetables. But today, it’s clear that we’ve lost 40% of the trace minerals in our diet. These lost trace minerals are also lost through the skin, which is the last organ to be nourished. Vital organs are supplied with nutrients first. The body does not consider the skin to be vital, so all vital organs are nourished before these elements are delivered to the skin. This is why there are so many deficiencies, and why they are visible on the skin.
The Role of Minerals
Iron
Iron, extracted from minerals such as hematite and sapphire, is essential for collagen synthesis, a process activated by the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase only in the presence of iron. Without iron, collagen synthesis is impossible. Laboratory experiments show that adding iron increases collagen production by fibroblasts by up to 400%, strengthening the skin’s density and thickness. This effect has been confirmed by in vitro tests and applications on human skin, visibly reducing wrinkles. This proves the anti-aging efficacy of iron-containing skincare products, which act directly on a biological process.
Zinc
Zinc, found in high concentrations in smithsonite, affects essential skin functions, particularly glycation—a phenomenon caused by UV radiation that generates toxic molecules called AGEs. These AGEs, which result from biological reactions such as the Maillard reaction, damage the skin. Zinc reduces these effects by limiting AGE production, as demonstrated by in vitro tests. In addition, it protects DNA from UV-induced damage through stress proteins that require zinc to function. Zinc is also a powerful antibacterial agent that effectively combats the bacteria responsible for acne. Zinc-based skincare products show spectacular results against acne, without the need for medication.
Magnesium
Magnesium, extracted primarily from peridot, stimulates the production of ATP, a key molecule for storing and releasing energy in cells. This process takes place in the mitochondria, where glucose is converted into ATP through glycogenesis, a process activated by magnesium. Tests show that adding magnesium increases ATP concentration and improves cellular respiration. This powerful cellular energizer also protects against aging induced by toxic substances such as FCCP. In the presence of magnesium, cell death is significantly reduced, confirming its anti-aging properties.
Silicon
Silicon, found in many minerals such as quartz, amethyst, and jade, is known for its hydrating properties. It works by stimulating the natural production of hyaluronic acid, a key molecule for capturing and retaining water in the dermis. Unlike topical applications of hyaluronic acid, silicon provides a long-lasting improvement in the skin’s ability to hydrate itself, even at low concentrations. This makes it a valuable ingredient in moisturizing skincare products.
How are trace elements measured in the body?
A device called “Oligoskin” is capable of measuring the levels of trace elements in the skin using spectrophotometry. This is the first time in the cosmetics industry that a direct link has been established between molecules present in the skin and a product prescribed to supplement the skin with these molecules. Thus, using this device, trace element concentrations are measured, and suitable products are recommended to you.
Conclusion
Trace minerals have become key active ingredients in the formulation of cosmetic products:
- In anti-aging products, we tend to use iron and magnesium instead
- For dry skin: silicon
- For sensitive skin: zinc to help repair
- For combination skin: zinc and chromium.
Discover our innovative product lines today and let Gemology's products win you over.
All skin types suffer from mineral deficiency: cutaneous oligotherapy
Today, our diet is becoming increasingly low in nutrients (-40% since 1950), yet these nutrients are essential for the skin.
With today's stressful lifestyles, trace mineral deficiencies are becoming increasingly common. Now more than ever, supplements to address these trace mineral deficiencies are essential!
The trace minerals essential for facial skin are needed by the body in minute amounts. Among the best known,zinc helps soothe the skin and regulate sebum, while copper supports the skin’s radiance, firmness, and antioxidant protection. They are essential for growth, development, and all biological functions of the living body. In the skin, trace minerals regulate more than 200 biological reactions. They are indispensable for our energy production, collagen synthesis, nutrition, and more.
The Major Trace Elements
Skin oligotherapy addresses deficiencies in trace elements and minerals in the skin. Some of the most well-known include copper, iron, magnesium, calcium, silicon, potassium, and sulfur. Here are the main properties of three of these elements as they relate to the skin:
The Consequences of Deficiencies
What happens if we don’t get enough trace minerals? It’s important to know that we very often have trace mineral deficiencies, and that all such deficiencies can have significant consequences.
Why do we have nutritional deficiencies?
In the past, our diet was fairly balanced, thanks to the intake of fruits and vegetables. But today, it’s clear that we’ve lost 40% of the trace minerals in our diet. These lost trace minerals are also lost through the skin, which is the last organ to be nourished. Vital organs are supplied with nutrients first. The body does not consider the skin to be vital, so all vital organs are nourished before these elements are delivered to the skin. This is why there are so many deficiencies, and why they are visible on the skin.
The Role of Minerals
Iron
Iron, extracted from minerals such as hematite and sapphire, is essential for collagen synthesis, a process activated by the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase only in the presence of iron. Without iron, collagen synthesis is impossible. Laboratory experiments show that adding iron increases collagen production by fibroblasts by up to 400%, strengthening the skin’s density and thickness. This effect has been confirmed by in vitro tests and applications on human skin, visibly reducing wrinkles. This proves the anti-aging efficacy of iron-containing skincare products, which act directly on a biological process.
Zinc
Zinc, found in high concentrations in smithsonite, affects essential skin functions, particularly glycation—a phenomenon caused by UV radiation that generates toxic molecules called AGEs. These AGEs, which result from biological reactions such as the Maillard reaction, damage the skin. Zinc reduces these effects by limiting AGE production, as demonstrated by in vitro tests. In addition, it protects DNA from UV-induced damage through stress proteins that require zinc to function. Zinc is also a powerful antibacterial agent that effectively combats the bacteria responsible for acne. Zinc-based skincare products show spectacular results against acne, without the need for medication.
Magnesium
Magnesium, extracted primarily from peridot, stimulates the production of ATP, a key molecule for storing and releasing energy in cells. This process takes place in the mitochondria, where glucose is converted into ATP through glycogenesis, a process activated by magnesium. Tests show that adding magnesium increases ATP concentration and improves cellular respiration. This powerful cellular energizer also protects against aging induced by toxic substances such as FCCP. In the presence of magnesium, cell death is significantly reduced, confirming its anti-aging properties.
Silicon
Silicon, found in many minerals such as quartz, amethyst, and jade, is known for its hydrating properties. It works by stimulating the natural production of hyaluronic acid, a key molecule for capturing and retaining water in the dermis. Unlike topical applications of hyaluronic acid, silicon provides a long-lasting improvement in the skin’s ability to hydrate itself, even at low concentrations. This makes it a valuable ingredient in moisturizing skincare products.
How are trace elements measured in the body?
A device called “Oligoskin” is capable of measuring the levels of trace elements in the skin using spectrophotometry. This is the first time in the cosmetics industry that a direct link has been established between molecules present in the skin and a product prescribed to supplement the skin with these molecules. Thus, using this device, trace element concentrations are measured, and suitable products are recommended to you.
Conclusion
Trace minerals have become key active ingredients in the formulation of cosmetic products:
Discover our innovative product lines today and let Gemology's products win you over.