Your Skin
Skin Types
It is essential to know your skin type so that you can select and choose the correct products for your skin, targeting your main skin care concerns will enable you to treat any condition including acne, rosacea, sensitivity or dryness.
Acne
Acne is a genetically-inherited disease, which is the result of several factors occurring in the skin. Aside from excess oil secreted by the sebaceous glands, there is a proliferation of cells that clog the pores, trapping oil in the follicle.
Dry Dehydrated Skin
Dry skin generally refers to skin that is lacking oil, whereas dehydrated skin is characterised by the lack of moisture in the Stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis.
Exfoliation
Generally speaking, exfoliation refers to any technique that removes cells from the skin surface, not only immediately “refreshing” the skin’s appearance but also stimulating cell renewal. The benefits are dramatic, and, when used with professional guidance, exfoliation can be used to treat a wide variety of skin problems – including acne, hyper-pigmentation, premature ageing and scarring to name a few.
Pigmentation
Pigmentation of one’s skin is the result of millions of years of evolution, which explains the wide range of skin tones we see in everyday life. People with origins close to the equator, where the sun is the most intense, had to develop protection against dangerous UV rays.
Prematurely-Ageing Skin
Far from natural! Now, we wouldn’t suggest for a minute that there’s anything wrong with growing old gracefully. The natural ageing process is defined in our very genetics, resulting in the complex hormonal and physical transformations that take place throughout life. Premature ageing refers to the unnatural acceleration of the natural ageing process, primarily due to damage from sun exposure and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is a genetically-inherited condition that predominantly affects very fair-skinned individuals, usually of Northern European ancestry. Someone with truly sensitive skin is highly prone to blushing, has a very fine complexion and may experience bad hay fever, allergies or asthma.
More Skincare Advice
Acne, eczema, or anything else? Whatever the problem, we give you tips to help keep your skin healthy. Acne, Allergic Skin, Athletes Foot, Blemished Skin, Dry Skin, Eczema, Mature Skin, Nappy Rash, Oily Skin, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Sensitive Skin and Urticaria.
Natural Medicine
Natural Medicine is a free resource for holistic, home and herbal remedies. Finding cures and remedies provided by nature. Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Tissue Salts, Naturopathy and Reflexology.
Facts About Skin
Your skin is composed of an outer layer, the epidermis, and an underlying layer of fibrous tissue called the dermis. Beneath the dermis is the subcutaneous fat.
There are two main kinds of human skin; Glaborous skin (non-hairy skin) and hair-bearing skin. Glaborous skin is found on the palms and soles and is characterised by a thick epidermis with dermatoglyphics (fingerprints). Hairy skin differs from site to site, for example, the scalp versus the arm. It also contains a wide range of other structures depending on the part of the skin examined. Nails are formed from the epidermis on the fingers and toes. Oil glands (sebaceous glands) are found attached to hair follicles, Sweat glands are found in the dermis with ducts passing to the surface through the epidermis. In certain areas such as the axila and groin there are specialised sweat glands called apocrine glands which develop after puberty. In addition there are specialised sense organs and nerves, blood vessels and other tissues such as muscle, which make the skin one of the most complex organs in the body.
The epidermis is constantly growing from the bottom upwards and the dead skin cells (stratum corneum) are shed (usually invisibly) from the surface. This whole process normally takes about 52-75 days.
The skin fulfils many functions. These include a barrier function to protect the body from the environment, a temperature regulator, an immune organ to detect infections etc. a sensory organ to detect temperature, touch, vibration etc. a visible signal for social and sexual communication.
