Smoking is becoming less and less socially acceptable for several reasons. Many countries have adopted the 'smoking-ban' which allows indoor public places to remain smoke-free. Society is falling out of love with the idea of smoking and more and more people have vowed to give it up. So how does smoking affect our skin?

Dermatologists have recently published a study in 'The Lancet' which focussed on the skin of 14 smokers and 14 non-smokers. Their theory was that smoking could stimulate a gene which releases a collagen-reducing enzyme in the skin. This is called the MMP-1 genetic material.

What Did they Find?

The researchers found that, after testing the skin of all of the participants, each of the smokers' skin contained significantly more MMP-1 genetic material than that of the non-smokers. This means that smokers' skin is constantly releasing an enzyme which breaks down collagen.

The effects of this are huge; as we age, we expect our collagen to naturally break down a little and this gives rise to wrinkles and loss of elasticity. However, for smokers, this can happen as much as 20 years earlier than expected!

The best way to ensure your skin stays strong and healthy throughout your life is to quit smoking. Visit your doctor who can prescribe medication, advise on support groups and give you some useful techniques for quitting. For skin which has already been damaged by the effects of smoking, SkinAu's Mature Skin Pack helps to repair your skin and restore some of the lost collagen levels. SkinAu's Collagen and Elastin Night Cream works on your wrinkles through the night so that you can wake up feeling refreshed and more confident that your skin is returning to its natural, good health.