HERE’S TO A HEALTHY SKIN

 EVERY SKIN IS INDIVIDUAL.  IT IS THE LARGEST ORGAN OF YOUR BODY, AND WELL WORTH WHILE TAKING CARE OF.  IF YOU ONLY TAKE ONE THING FROM THIS ARTICLE MAKE IT: 

“NEVER GO TO SLEEP WITHOUT FIRST CLEANING YOUR SKIN”.

Skin can be divided into various types according to its texture. It is essential to know the various types of skin, so that effective treatment can be carried out.  The options are as follows:

 
*          Normal skin

 *          Dry skin

 *          Oily skin

 *          Combination skin

 *          Sensitive skin

Normal Skin

Has a fine even texture with a supple and smooth surface. It has a proper balance between oil and moisture contents and is therefore moist and neither greasy nor dry. It looks clear and does not develop spots and blemishes. The pores of the skin are fine and barely visible. It reflects good health and needs gentle treatment.

Dry skin

Dry skin has a dry parched appearance and has a tendency to flake easily. It is prone to wrinkles and lines. It is due to the inability to retain moisture as well as the insufficient production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Dry skin often has problems in cold weather and ages faster than normal or oily skin. Constant protection is very important. It needs a moisturiser during the day and a good cream at night.

Oily skin

This type of skin is caused by the over secretion of sebum making the skin surface oily. The excess oil on the surface of the skin attracts dirt and dust from the environment. Oily skin is also prone to black heads, white heads, spots, pimples and such skin will never be clear. This type of skin needs to be cleansed thoroughly.

Combination skin

This type of skin is very common. As the name suggests, it is a combination of both oily and dry skin with certain areas of the face oily and the rest dry. Usually there is a central greasy panel consisting of the forehead, nose and  chin and a dry panel consisting of cheeks and the areas around the eyes and mouth. The greasy central panel is referred to as T - Zone. In such cases, each part of the face should be treated accordingly - the dry areas as for dry skin and the central panel as for oily skin.

 Sensitive skin

This type of skin has a fine texture and is very sensitive to changes in the climate. They show the disadvantage of bleaching, waxing, threading etc.

 Having identified your skin type, looking after it is the next important step.

 Cleansing

Cleansing is the first essential step in your daily skin care routine. Cleansing the face 2-3 times a day; is adequate for normal skin. If your skin is oily a more frequent cleansing i.e. 4-5 times a day is necessary. If your skin is dry it is best to avoid frequent washing and you may have to use a suitable oil-based cosmetic cleanser instead of soap, which has a dry effect.  

There are several alternatives to soap and water cleansing. Cleansers can be in the form of creams, milks, lotions, gels and liquids. All are a mixture of oil, wax and water which have been formulated to suit different skin types. A Cotton -pad dipped in fresh milk can be an emergency cleanser.

The right way to apply cleansers and creams on your face is in an upward and outward movement. The skin should not be stretched, dragged or pulled. Leave the cleanser on for a minute or two so as to loosen the dirt and make up. Remove it either using a cotton pad or with a muslin sponge – and only ever pat dry, again using an upward and out ward movement. Finally rinse with water.

Toning

Skin care products include skin fresheners, toners and astringents which basically contains alcohol and water. These products are used after cleansing the skin to freshen and tone up the skin; they also restore the acid/ alkali balance of the skin. Having cleansed, wipe away any last traces of dirt or oil with a skin freshener or toner (cleansing milk) which suits your skin type. Non alcoholic freshenes is best for all skin types.

Mosturising

 Regular use of a suitable moisturiser benefits your skin. The moisturiser not only replaces the water lost from the skin but also prevents its loss to the surroundings. It protects the skin against the drying influences of the environment such as the effects of the sun, cold and heat. Tinted moisturisers are very helpful under foundation.

 A moisturiser is particularly helpful for dry skins. Oil free moisturisers can be used for oily skins.

 There are two types of moisturisers: Oil - in water emulsions and water -in -oil emulsions. The moisturiser you select should suit your skin type. For normal skins, a water based moisturiser containing a little oil is suitable. Sensitive skins and dry skins need moisturisers having high oil content.

Protecting

 The sun is the environmental factor that is most harmful to the health and appearance of the skin. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can cause permanent damage to the skin. It can cause the skin to sag, lose elasticity and form wrinkles. Severe sunburn or exposure to snow glare can even cause skin cancer.

 
Sunscreen and foundation protects the skin against the damaging ultraviolet rays. It also shields your face from direct contact with dirt or pollutants in the air and helps the skin against loosing its necessary moisture.

 
Sunscreen's come in lotions and creams. A sunscreen with the sun protection factor (SPF) of number 10 can block most of the sun's ultraviolet radiations before it can damage the skin. The SPF number indicates the length of time; the product will protect the skin. Sunscreens should be applied at least 10 minutes before you go out in the sun.  Remember your skin needs some exposure to the sun to ensure there is sufficient Vitamin D in the body.

 
Follow Up

 If you have any questions about skin care please contact your local skin/beauty therapist who should be willing to help you determine your skin type and recommend a suitable skin care regime.  If you have any questions, and you have access to a computer and the Internet you may email me and I will try to answer your questions as quickly as possible.

Christina

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