Many of us have some form of skincare routine but what if the answer to learning more about our skin and how to care for it is located within our own genetic makeup?
The aim of DNA skin testing is to help you get the most out of your skincare routine. Do you really need all those steps? Or are you focusing on one issue when you could be taking preventative measures against another? Our Evergreen Life DNA Test will help reveal your skin’s secrets, so you can protect your skin health from the inside and out.
How does DNA skin testing work?
Taking our Evergreen Life DNA Test is quick and easy; there’s only a few simple steps to get started:
- Once you receive your DNA test, link it to your Evergreen Life app by following the instructions in the box and provide a DNA sample by spitting into a tube. You’ll then you’ll be asked to send it off in the post.
- Your sample will be analysed, searching for small markers in your DNA called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms or SNPs, pronounced “Snips”.
- Decades of genetic research has revealed significant links between individual SNPs and impacts on health and wellbeing. Our Evergreen Life DNA Test doesn’t test for the increased likelihood of contracting diseases in the future, nor does it test for ancestry. This is because we want to focus on offering insights that you can do something about to improve your health.
- Having a certain SNP does not mean the linked outcome is certain; it merely suggests it’s more likely. So, it can be wise to tweak your lifestyle and behaviours where possible based on the information your DNA test results provide you with. The aim is for you to be more informed and therefore more in control of your health and wellbeing, and that includes your skin’s health.
- The information collected from the analysis we do is used to create a report about which SNPs you have. This could include genes which show a predisposition for certain skincare traits like dryness, stretch marks and cellulite.
- You’ll be sent the results of your analysis in the Evergreen Life app along with unique skincare recommendations based on those results. You may find that some SNPs and their associated traits contradict each other. Don’t worry, your Evergreen Life DNA Test results help you navigate the science by giving you a balanced summary that supports you to weigh up what most of the SNPs are pointing to and make changes based on the result that comes up most frequently.
Our Evergreen Life DNA Test is more than a DNA skin test; it provides actionable insights into Diet, Fitness, Metabolism and Happiness too. For more information, please read our article on everything you need to know about our genetic testing.
Why you should take a DNA skin test
Skincare science has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. No longer are we washing faces with bars of soap or makeup wipes, not moisturising oily skin, or simply relying on drinking water to get rid of acne. Now we have science on our side.
Our Evergreen Life DNA skin test goes a step further. It helps to identify whether you may be susceptible to certain skin issues on a genetic level. Could you be more at risk of having dry skin or UV sensitivity? A DNA skin test will tell you, so you can start preventative skincare now.
What an Evergreen Life DNA test can tell you about your skin
The skincare category of our DNA test can give you insights into a number of important areas, including:
Skin ageing
- Are you likely to experience decreased protection from glycation (ageing related to glucose metabolism)?
- Are you more likely to experience degradation of collagen and elastin over time, and increased ageing as a result? Habits such as smoking can disrupt collagen production, which supports skin strength. It can also reduce blood flow to your skin, so your skin gets fewer nutrients and less oxygen often leading to it looking dull and grey, so if you do smoke could now be the time to consider quitting?
- Are you likely to experience accelerated skin ageing as a result of oxidative damage (pollution or UV exposure)? If so, what steps can you take to better shield your skin?
- Are you likely to have a typical or reduced sensitivity to photoaging (caused by exposure to the sun)?
Skin elasticity
- Your DNA result will suggest the likelihood of fast or slow reduction of skin elasticity over time. If this is something you feel you want to address, maintaining a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise can help. For more details, see our healthy skin article.
Skin moisture
- Are you more likely to develop dry skin and if so, what can you do to ensure your skin is well hydrated?
UV sensitivity
- Are you more likely to be sensitive to UV-related skin damage and if so, how can you better protect yourself?
- Are you more likely to be susceptible to oxidative damage from sun exposure and pollution, and if so, how can you prevent this damage and better protect your skin?
Other factors to consider
There are, of course, numerous other factors to consider when it comes to our skincare – our genetics can only tell us so much, and our surroundings can have a huge impact. How much water do you drink to stay hydrated? What does your diet consist of? Do you wear SPF daily or have a lot of sun or pollution exposure? Each of these – and many others – can impact the health of your skin.
Here at Evergreen Life, our goal is to keep you healthy both inside and out. So, for us to keep your skin in top condition, it’s important that you take a look at other areas – like your nutrition and environment – to help you achieve your skincare goals.
Reviewed by:
Anna Keeble BA MA Wellbeing Expert
Dr James Harmsworth King MBBS MPhil PhD Biotechnology & Medical Expert
Dr Brian Fisher MBBCh MBE MSc FRSA Medical Expert
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5643203/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7322554/
Collagen | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8239663/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stretch-marks/
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000125.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/hydrated-skin/faq-20058067
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen
