Human skin is primarily composed of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, forming the basic building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin, which provide skin structure and elasticity. Beyond these major components, several other elements play crucial roles in skin health and function.
Major & Minor Elements in Skin
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Macroelements: These elements are present in larger amounts. Examples include sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and chlorine (Cl). These are vital for various cellular processes within the skin. Table 1 shows these macroelements are present in less than 5% of total body weight.
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Oligoelements: Found in smaller but still significant quantities, these include copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), and cobalt (Co). Zinc, copper, and manganese, in particular, are known for their wound-healing properties and are used in some topical preparations. Skin Minerals: Key Roles of Inorganic Elements in Skin Physiological ... pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC9181837
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Trace Elements: Present in extremely small amounts, these elements, such as fluorine (F), iodine (I), and tin (Sn), still contribute to overall skin health. Other trace elements, including arsenic (As), boron (B), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), strontium (St), vanadium (V), aluminum (Al), zirconium (Zr), silver (Ag), gold (Au), mercury (Hg), and silicon (Si, as silicates), are found on the skin's surface. Table 1
The Importance of Balanced Elemental Composition
Maintaining a proper balance of these elements is crucial for healthy skin. Deficiencies can lead to various skin problems. For example, zinc deficiency is linked to impaired wound healing. The optimal levels of each element vary, and it's important to obtain these through a balanced diet rather than supplementation without professional advice.
