Introduction to In&Out Skin Care
The skincare industry is constantly evolving, and in the pursuit of radiant, healthy skin, one trend that has gained popularity in recent years is “In&Out skin care.” However, one of the most crucial aspects of this approach is personalisation and data collection in order to define a skincare routine tailored to the personal and situational needs of each individual.
What is In&Out skin care?
In&Out skin care is based on the principle that beautiful, well-cared-for skin comes from a balanced combination of internal and external care. On the one hand, it involves the use of topical products such as creams, serums, lotions, cleansers and sunscreens to keep the skin healthy from the outside. But it also considers that the skin is a reflection of our internal health and therefore greatly benefits from a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The importance of personalisation
Each person is unique, and every individual’s skin has specific needs. What works for one person may not be equally effective for another. Therefore, personalisation, through the collection of multimodal data as shown in Figure 1, is essential in In&Out skin care. By assessing factors such as skin type, genetics, specific concerns, allergies or sensitivities, and the exposome, together with the support of a skincare specialist and appropriate technology, it is possible to adapt a skincare routine to each person’s specific needs.
“In” skincare routine
Essential nutrition for radiant skin
A balanced diet and proper hydration are essential for skin health. Including foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and promote collagen production, contributing to firmer and more elastic skin.
Inner boost with nutricosmetics
Within this approach we find nutricosmetics, which aim to complement cosmetic treatments with products containing skin-beneficial nutrients. These products, usually in the form of oral supplements, contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other ingredients that can be highly beneficial for the skin. However, it is important to highlight that indiscriminate and uncritical use of these supplements is common. As mentioned earlier, the key lies in personalisation. Each individual is unique, and what may be beneficial for one person may not be for another due to genetic factors and other elements that influence how our body processes and uses these nutrients.
Balancing key nutrients
Take vitamin E, for example. While it is an important antioxidant that can help protect the skin from free radical damage, excessive vitamin E intake can affect blood coagulation. In addition, according to scientific evidence, there are genetic variants that affect the ability to obtain vitamin E from food, making it essential to consider whether a person already gets enough vitamin E from their diet before adding supplements.
The same applies to vitamin A and other minerals such as zinc and selenium. If a person already has adequate levels of these nutrients due to a balanced diet, supplementation may not be necessary. In some cases, excess intake of certain nutrients can even be harmful to health.
“Out” skincare routine
Beauty and skin care pyramid
Although the In&Out approach highlights the relevance of nutrition, we must not underestimate the value of a proper external skincare routine. A helpful guide is the “Skin Health and Beauty Pyramid” proposed by renowned dermatologist Zoe Draelos.
At the base of this pyramid are cosmetic products that provide protection such as sunscreens (SPF), antioxidants and DNA-repair enzymes. On the second level are the Transformers, such as retinoids, acids and depigmenting agents, and on the third and final level are the Optimisers such as peptides and growth factors.
The pyramid system highlights the importance of choosing products according to their relevance and progressing upwards once the base is firmly established. In addition, we must not forget cleansing, which, although not included in the dermatologist’s pyramid, is essential for other products to penetrate the skin properly.
Optimising the “Out” routine for results
Just like the In routine, the Out routine must be personalised, taking into account multiple factors such as skin type (oily, pigmented, sensitive, etc.), time of year and sun exposure, as well as genetic factors that may predispose to early wrinkle formation, among others. All of this will determine the main objective of the routine.
Conclusions
In&Out skin care is more than a trend; it is a philosophy that recognises the interconnection between our internal health and the external appearance of our skin. By combining an external skincare routine with a nutrient-rich diet and healthy habits, we can achieve radiant, healthy skin that reflects overall wellbeing. Personalisation and data collection are essential to develop an In&Out skincare routine that addresses each individual’s specific needs. Remember that professional healthcare guidance and the use of technological tools can further enhance the effectiveness of your In&Out skincare approach.
References:
- Markiewicz E, Idowu OC. Personalized skincare: from molecular basis to clinical and commercial applications. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:161-171. Published 2018 Apr 11. doi:10.2147/CCID.S163799
- Keen MA, Hassan I. Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(4):311-315. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185494
- Borel P. Genetic variations involved in interindividual variability in carotenoid status. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012;56(2):228-240. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201100322
- Draelos ZD. Revisiting the Skin Health and Beauty Pyramid: A Clinically Based Guide to Selecting Topical Skincare Products. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(6):695-699. doi:10.36849/JDD.2021.5883
- Chaudhary M, Khan A, Gupta M. Skin Ageing: Pathophysiology and Current Market Treatment Approaches. Curr Aging Sci. 2020;13(1):22-30.
