Vitamin-infused skin care has flooded the market in recent years. From brightening Vitamin C serums to anti-aging vitamin A derived creams - it’s no surprise that the benefits of vitamins for our body is easily transferred into our skin care routines. Like vitamins, minerals are a vital nutrient for our bodies. As the unsung heroes of the micronutrient family, minerals aid a range of vital functions in the body from building strong bones, supporting our immune system, and healing wounds. In the skin, minerals play a vital role in maintaining hydration, keeping pH balanced and supporting a healthy, elastic skin structure.
The benefits of minerals have been observed throughout history – think sulphur rich, ancient thermal spa waters used for detoxifying and healing skin or magnesium rich Epsom salts, for relief of inflammation, muscular pain, and stress. While these were historically prescribed as a miracle cure for all illnesses and health complaints, today, the benefits of minerals are better understood. Like vitamins, each mineral plays a different role in skin health meaning implementing a spectrum of minerals into your skin routine will give a range of benefits. These essential minerals, both when taken as a supplement or added topically to the skin, can improve the skin’s resilience, repair mechanisms and overall condition.
Magnesium, a trending self care mineral, has been launched into the spotlight due to its influence on physical and mental relaxation. Magnesium is a muscle relaxant, releasing tension from the body and relieving sore, tight, and cramped muscles to rebalance your bodies inner calm and relieve stress. The use of magnesium-based products, particularly for bathing and massage, promotes relaxation which in turn reduces anxiety and encourages a deeper, more restful sleep – a must-have for those suffering from menopause-induced insomnia. Whilst improved sleep has countless benefits for the skin, there is also research to suggest that magnesium has a direct impact on skin, supporting cellular processes to regulate regeneration and repair.
Zinc has shown useful in minimising sebum production, reducing inflammation and redness as well as having antimicrobial properties making it the mineral of choice for acne-prone, blemished or otherwise irritated skin.
Copper is known as the anti-aging mineral. Playing a key role in stimulating the maturation of skin proteins such as collagen and elastin, copper can soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Copper also acts as an antioxidant, protecting these structural collagen proteins from degradation caused by pollution, stress and sun radiation, all of which can cause premature and accelerated aging.
Colloidal Silver is an antimicrobial agent with anti-inflammatory properties used throughout history as a cure-all for many ailments. The healing properties of silver are still relevant today with the antibacterial properties of colloidal silver being thought to reduce the number of acne-causing bacteria on the skin leading to reduced breakouts and minimising the appearance of blemishes and their associated redness and inflammation.
Gold is a sparkly mineral that can be used to brighten skin and induce a healthy, radiant glow. However, there is more to gold than meets the eye, beyond its shimmery aesthetic, gold can increase the delivery of actives to the skin, boosting the benefits of the active ingredients in your formulation and optimising results.
Will you be paying attention to minerals and vitamins in equal measures when it comes to your skincare routines?
