Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1464744
76 ASCP Skin Deep Spring 2022 turnover. In fact, pharmaceutical estrogen therapy has been shown to have both preventive and therapeutic benefits for the production of all skin-firming connective tissue fibers. Estrogen also has benefits for skin hydration. Its upregulation effects on collagen and glycosaminoglycans (including hyaluronic acid) support moisture retention, improve the health of the skin barrier, and decrease water loss through the stratum corneum. Progesterone Progesterone is a key player in conception and pregnancy. While progesterone is known as a female sex hormone, it's multifunctional and an important biochemical for both genders. And like all steroid hormones, progesterone has an important role in the functioning of the body's largest organ. Progesterone stimulates the production of moisture factors and skin sebum. This can improve dry skin conditions but can cause problems as well. Too much progesterone can result in breakouts and hyper-sebaceous secretions, and this effect can be observed in the second half of a woman's menstrual cycle with the appearance of oily skin and blemishes. Progesterone also has a plumping effect on the skin, which can reduce the appearance of pores. Dermatologists often recommend the hormone to treat signs and symptoms of skin aging in menopausal women. These natural benefits can be achieved by supplementation of oral progesterone (which requires a prescription) or by application directly to the skin. Progesterone creams, serums, and oils are readily available over the counter, and topically applied progesterone has been shown to help improve the elasticity and firmness of aging skin. In addition to the benefits for the skin, transdermal absorption into the bloodstream can improve progesterone levels in the blood and tissues as well. Insulin Although most people think of insulin as a sugar hormone associated with diabetes and blood glucose control, the powerful and pluripotent molecule plays important clinical roles in numerous body functions. Insulin is involved in the performance of the circulatory system and heart, the brain and nervous system, and the cells of the immune system. On the skin, insulin is critical for the growth and maturation of skin cells and fibroblasts, supporting the healing of burns, wounds, and other cutaneous traumas, and the production of collagen and connective tissue. For those subsisting on high-sugar diets, elevated insulin can lead to skin tags, oily skin, acne, and hirsutism. Over time, chronically elevated insulin can cause cells to become less sensitive to the While all the cells and structures of the body are dependent on the healthy function of hormones, no organ manifests the actions of these critical chemicals more profoundly than the skin. karolina grabowska/pexels