Skin Structure, Care and Common Conditions
The Skin is the largest organ of the body, weighing approximately 4kg, covering an area of 2 square metres and consisting of three layers (starting from the uppermost): the Epidermis, Dermis and Subuctanoeous layer.
Epidermis
This too is made up of several sub-layers. The surface layer of the skin (Stratum Corneum) is made up largely of dead skin cells. Beneath this is a layer (Stratum) which creates skin protein, the next (Basal) layer creates new skin cells, which take around a month to travel to the surface of the skin. The skin pigment Melanin provide the skin with protection from the sun.
Dermis
This layer is much thicker than the epidermis and is made up of connective tissue, primarily the protein named Collagen. Elastin is another protein which is present in the Dermis. The Dermis also consists of an intricate system of blood, lymph vessels and nerves.
Subcutaneous
This is the layer of fat which is stored at the deepest level of the skin.
The main functions of the Skin are:
- to protect the internal organs and systems from external assault
- to regulate temperature
- to create a waterproof barrier
- to release wastes and toxins from the body
Taking Care of our Skin
The overall appearance and quality of our skin is affected by a number of interrelated factors. These include: diet, skin care routine, hormones, environmental influences such as pollution and excessive exposure to the sun or other harsh weather conditions, exercise, age, genes, smoking, alcohol consumption.
To have good skin, it is important to eat and drink healthily, exercise regularly, use adequate SPF products and maintain a regular skin care routine.
Skin Care Routine
This can be as simple as Cleanse, Tone and Moisturise twice daily of the face and simple body moisturisation. Your routine can be extended to regular Facial and Body Exfoliation (to help remove dead skin cells and promote the growth of new ones), Face and Body Masks (to cleanse impurities and improve tone), Facial Steams, and of course Professional Facials and Body Treatments from a Therapist.
The products we need will differ according to our age and of course our skin type, which may also change during our life. Key times such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause etc can all result in changes to our skin type.
Choose Natural!
It is important that we pay attention to the ingredients used in products just as much as those in our food! Our skin has the capacity to absorb what we put on to it. Unfortunately, many Cosmetics & Toiletries are laden with synthetic chemicals some of which have shown to be irritants and even toxic to our skin and internal systems.
Whilst there are no definitive statistics as to how much the skin absorbs into the bloodstream, topical medicines and drug patches used to stop smoking and for birth control are applied to the skin and are effective. This is a clear indicator that the skin is absorbent. Research indicates that the face, head and neck are the most absorbent areas of the skin, having the capacity to absorb up to 60% of the content of leave on products such as make up, creams, hair dyes etc.
Using products containing high levels of natural ingredients means that:
- Your body has less toxins to process
- There is a reduced risk of irritation and reactions to the ingredients
- You are harnessing the inherent power of Mother Nature!
Skin Types
Normal Skin is balanced, smooth and neither too oily nor dry.
Sensitive Skin is easily irritated and inflamed. Care must be taken in choosing products which do not aggravate their skin and also other lifestyle choices e.g diet may also need to be adapted.
Oily Skin has an excess of sebum (oil) production, is prone to enlarged pores, spots, pimples or acne. Contrary to popular belief, some carrier oils e.g jojoba, hazelnut, papaya can actually help to regulate the sebum production of the skin rather than increase it!
Combination Skin tends to comprise an oily "T Zone" across the forehead and down the centre of the face, with dry or normal skin on the cheeks. People with combination skin may have to use 2 types of products for each area of the skin. However, our Clarity Skin Care range ingredients have been carefully chosen for combination skin and are suitable for the entire facial area.
Dry Skin is sebum (oil) deficient and therefore needs to be fed with moisture rich products. Dry skin can also be sporadic and brought about by environmental factors such as cold weather, over exposure to the sun or even factors such as central heating.
Common Skin Conditions
Acne - non inflammatory acne is caused by a blockage of sebum in the follicles of the skin, bacteria then grows resulting in a Comedone (blackhead or whitehead) on the surface of the skin. When the trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed. A Blackhead occurs when the pore opens to the surface, and the sebum, which contains the skin pigment melanin, oxidizes and turns a brown/black color.
Inflammatory acne occurs when the wall of the hair follicle ruptures, which can be caused by picking at or touching spots. White blood cells flood in and the pore becomes inflamed, this is called a Papule. Several days later, when the white blood cells have reached the surface of the skin, a Pustule is formed, containing yellowy-white fluid.
When a follicle breaks along the bottom, total collapse can occur, causing a large, inflamed bump that can be sore to the touch. This is called a Nodule. Sometimes a severe inflammatory reaction can result in very large pus filled lesions called Cysts.
Tips:
Avoid producs which are harsh and strip the skin of too much sebum (oil). This will actually encourage your body to produce more oil.
Choose gentle products which are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacaterial and anti-septic, like our Clarity range.
Milia
Are tiny white bumps that occur when dead skin cells get trapped in small pockets on the surface of the skin.
For this reason, it is helpful to regular cleanse and exfoliate the skin to best assist the removal of dead skin cells.
Enlarged Pores
Pores are tiny openings in your skin that provide a way for the oil glands underneath to lubricate and protect the surface of your skin. Pores enlarge due to increased sebum production (often occurs around puberty), subsequently the pores get bigger to handle the increased output. You're most likely to notice enlarged pores around your nose because that area has more oil glands per square inch than any other part of your body.
Our Clarity range of products will help to balance Sebum production in your skin. The pores are likely to reduce in size due to the decreased output.
Wrinkles and Ageing Skin
As we age, our skin changes, the epidermal cells become thinner and less sticky, making the skin look noticeably thinner. The decreased stickiness of the cells reduces the barrier function of the epidermis, allowing moisture to be released instead of being kept in the skin, causing dryness. The number of epidermal cells decreases by 10% per decade and they divide more slowly as we age making the skin less able to repair itself quickly.
The dermal layer also thins, less collagen is produced, and the elastin fibers that provide elasticity wear out. These changes ause the skin to wrinkle and sag. Also, sebaceous glands increase in size but produce less sebum, and the number of sweat glands decreases. Both of these changes lead to increased skin dryness.
In the subcutaneous layer the fat cells shrink with age. This leads to more noticeable wrinkles and sagging, as the fat cells cannot "fill in" the damage from the other layers.
Free Radicals also contribute to premature ageing of the Skin. Factors known to increase the creation of free radicals include: a diet high in refined carbohydrates, a diet high in saturated fat, a diet high in artificial chemicals, smoking (active or passive), excessive exposure to the sun, and stress.
Tips: Wear Sunscreen all year round Minimise activities e.g smoking, poor diet etc which cause premature ageing Use Skin Care products which have ingredients which help to fight free radicals and boost collagen production - see our Skin and Body Care Range Carry out a regular Skin Care routine. Our Rejuvenate Skin Care range is catered to Dry and Mature facial skin. Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts and oils which are rich in Vitamins, Minerals, Essential Fatty Acids and Antixoxidants Drink Herbal Teas or Juices which are rich in Antioxidants e.g White Tea, Green Tea, Acai Berry, Pomegranate, Blueberry
Cellulite
The precise cause of cellulite is unknown, but there are many theories. One states that cellulite begins in adolescence when the hormone estrogen begins to trigger the layering of the fat in the body. The cells in the subcutaneous layer become enlarged and the tissues begin to accumulate lymph fluid. The fat cells then tend to compress and begins hardening into lumps. The characteristic orange-peel appearance of cellulite is the result.
Several lifestyle factors have also been attributed to the appearance of cellulite. Among them is lack of exercise, ageing, smoking, alcohol consumption, food additives, chemical preservatives, and excess sugar and fat ingestion. Ageing is another factor, as the tone and thickness of the connective tissue within the dermis decreases, cellulite appears much more rapidly in an older person than in a younger person. Another theory is the that the makeup of the strands of fibrous tissue in women is more tightly woven, resulting in increased dimpling effects in women as compared to men.
Tips:
Eat a healthy diet with five portions of fruit and/or vegetables per day
Exercise regularly
Dry Brush and Exfoliate your skin regularly
Use Body Care Products which help to cleanse the body of toxins, tone and smoothe the skin and burn fat deposits
Our Body Exfoliators and Purity Body Balm could be used as an effective part of your plan
Stretch Marks
There is no general consensus as to why stretch marks occur. One theory claims that they are caused when the skin is stretched to the point of of a breakdown of collagen and elastin in the Dermis. This results in the stretch marks, loss of tone, fine lines and wrinkles. They most often occur during rapid growth in puberty, pregnancy and can be caused by some medications including steroids such as cortisone. Another theory claims that t has been suggested that stretch marks are caused due to an increased level of a hormone called glucocorticoids, circulating through the bloodstream. This hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands and it is increased during pregnancy, puberty and as a result of obesity.
Tips:
Try to avoid excessive weight loss or gain over a short period of time
Use a Moisturising Body Cream or Body Balm which will help boost the Skin's Elasticity
If it is post pregnancy or weight loss, use a product which will help to firm the skin and help to fade the actual stretch mark scar like lines
Products containing Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter such as our Cream and Balms are reputed to assist in the treatment of Stretch Marks
Thread Veins
Are tiny veins just under the skin that have become dilated. As we get older changes occur in the skin, which becomes thinner and more fragile, and in the subcutaneous tissue, which also gets thinner, so that blood vessels under the skin become much more obvious. Thread veins are also hereditary, can also appear as a result of pregnancy (increased oestrogen), smoking and obesity.
Varicose Veins
Are most likely caused by damage to the valves in the veins, which means that they cannot carry blood to the heart as effectively. Pregnant women and people with obesity are more at risk of developing varicose veins due to the increased pressure of weight on the abdomen and so in your veins. There are other explanations such as jobs which involve a lot of standing, smoking etc but these have not yet been proven.
A number of Essential Oils are reputed to assist in the treatment of Thread Veins and Varicose veins. Whilst we do not currently have a general product, we would be happy to provide you with a personalised product.Eczema
Skin normally acts as a barrier to prevent water loss and to prevent skin irritants from penetrating. People with eczema find that their skin doesn't do this as effectively as it should, leading to dryness, itching, inflamed and cracked, scaly skin which lets in bacteria and allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. Again, the exact causes of eczema are unknown, but many medical professionals believe that it is a hereditary condition. Many eczema sufferers also find that there are triggers such as stress, depression, dust and animal mites, certain foods and ingredients, central heating, air conditioning which may also aggravate their condition.
Utricaria
Is a severe rash, which can cover the whole body. It is often accompanied with red, ithcy hives. Whilst there is no known theory for this condition, it is often associated with stress, allergies, activities which cause an increase in temperature e.g exercise, saunas and hot baths and also extreme weather spells.
Contact Dermatitis
This is very similar to eczema in terms of the red, inflamed, irritated and itchy skin. It is caused by the entrance of external substances which permeate and aggravate the skin. Many people who come into contact with chemicals or other toxic substances as part of their everyday work develop Occupational Dermatitis, such as Hairdressers.
Psoriasis
Is another hereditary chronic skin condition which can also be triggered by factors such as stress and allergies.The condition usually has the appearance of raised, rough, red patches which are covered in fine silvery scales. These patches can affect a few areas of the body or be more widespread, but they commonly appear first on the backs of the elbows and fronts of the knees. Some psoriasis sufferers also develop a type of arthritis, where the small joints of the hands, wrists, feet and ankles become inflamed. There are several types of Psoriasis and whilst there is no cure, the symptoms can be managed.
Tips
Avoid or minimalise your contact with any triggers which cause your Skin Condition to flare up e.g certain foods, chemicals, excess heat, stress
Use products which are Calming, Soothing, Moisturising and Anti-Inflammatory. Both our Creams, Body Balms and Massage Bars contain ingredients which can asssit in the treatment of itchy, inflamed, dry skin conditions.
If the scratching has caused infection, use a product with anti-septic properties
Please note, in the case of recurring or severe medical conditions, please consult your GP
