As skin ages, cognitive function declines… Apply moisturizer now.

The Mayo Clinic, a world-renowned research hospital in the United States, recently announced research findings showing that "aged skin cells", like "zombie cells," cause other cells to age as well. The research team transplanted aged skin cells into healthy mice. They found that the cells not only age the skin, but also other organs, including muscles and the brain, deteriorated. The previously healthy mice also experienced declines in peripheral and cognitive function.

 

Aging doesn't depend on species. Humans, too, age day by day. Unlike yesterday, our skin today is more flaky and wrinkled. Could aged human skin cells also act like "zombie cells" as in the previous experiment? "It could," said Jin-ho Jeong, director of the Department of Dermatology at Seoul National University's Institute for Aging and Society Research. "Maintaining healthy, youthful skin helps maintain a clear mind, sound judgment, and even a peaceful heart."

◇Skin cells and brain cells are similar in origin

 

The skin is a more sophisticated protective barrier than we might think. It doesn't simply act as a physical barrier against the external environment. When the skin's strong barrier recognizes environmental factors that could be harmful, such as UV rays or low humidity, it produces various hormones, immune substances, and other bioactive substances. These substances travel through the bloodstream to various organs, including the brain, and exert their influence. The bioactive substances produced by the skin are extremely diverse. Unlike other organs, it even produces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotransmitter produced by brain cells. This is because skin originates from ectodermal cells, similar to the brain, when it first forms within the fertilized egg. Director Jeong Jin-ho stated, "The impact of aging skin is significant, and the field of 'senolytics,' drugs that specifically kill aging cells, has been actively researched for a long time. The government even provides research funding to teams conducting this research."

 

◇Elderly people who don't apply moisturizer experience faster cognitive decline.

 

In humans, ▲dry skin ▲skin damaged by UV rays can impair cognitive function. In a dry environment, the skin thickens the stratum corneum to conserve moisture and synthesizes more lipids. This produces inflammatory cells called "cytokines." Professor Hong Ji-yeon of the Department of Dermatology at Chung-Ang University Hospital stated, "When aged cells accumulate overall, the stratum corneum formation is impaired, producing more inflammatory substances such as cytokines. These substances travel through the blood to the brain, triggering a mild inflammatory response and potentially accelerating aging in other areas." This has been proven through clinical studies.

 

A research team led by Professor Mao-Qiang Man of the Department of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, observed older adults who applied moisturizers and those who did not for three to four years, measuring the concentration of inflammatory substances in their blood and the rate of cognitive decline. The results showed that those who did not apply moisturizers had higher concentrations of inflammatory substances in their blood and experienced a much faster decline in cognitive function.

Director Jeong Jin-ho said, "Even if you haven't used moisturizer before, consistently applying it will reduce blood cytokine levels." He added, "It's best to apply a moisturizer containing a 1:1:1 ratio of cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids twice a day." If your skin is dry and itchy, apply it three to four times a day.

 

◇Sunken cheeks are caused by UV exposure… Metabolic disease is also a risk

 

When the skin is exposed to UV rays, the stress hormone cortisol is synthesized. When this substance travels through the bloodstream to the brain, it can inhibit neurogenesis in the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory. Professor Jeong Jin-ho stated, "Animal experiments have demonstrated that UV exposure not only increases cortisol but also other neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can lead to memory loss and even depression."

 

Exposure to UV rays can also increase the risk of metabolic diseases. This is because UV rays inhibit lipid synthesis in subcutaneous fat, causing excessive intake of lipids to accumulate in areas such as visceral fat. Research by Director Jin-ho Jeong's research team found that skin exposed to UV rays showed approximately 50% less subcutaneous fat compared to skin that was not exposed. All factors, including chronic exposure and single, intense exposure, inhibited subcutaneous lipid synthesis. While subcutaneous fat does not significantly affect the function of the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar, visceral fat reduces this function. Uncontrolled blood sugar ultimately increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

 

Professor Jeong Jin-ho said, "The older you get, the more sagging your cheeks become because chronic exposure to ultraviolet rays suppresses the production of subcutaneous fat." "UV rays also reduce the production of a beneficial substance called adiponectin, which is produced by fat cells in the skin," he said. Adiponectin is a protein composed of 244 amino acids. A deficiency of this substance can disrupt carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, causing skin muscles to contract. This can also lead to sensitive skin symptoms. This is because the skin's acidity decreases, activating nerves and causing a tingling pain. Research has shown that supplementing with adiponectin peptides can improve sensitive skin. Adiponectin deficiency is also known to cause depression, memory loss, and cognitive dysfunction. To protect against UV exposure, it's important to consistently apply sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ and PA+++ or higher. Reapply every two hours, and apply even on cloudy days, as UV rays are present.

 

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You must apply sunscreen

My mom uses the same Dalba sunscreen stick as I do.

Moisturizers are also used for farming during the busy farming season.

Your face is also damaged, so apply cream well.

 

They say that cognitive function declines quickly.

Bring moisturizer