Basic Skin Care

Healthy, beautiful skin is possible to achieve, but elusive to

many. Despite the myriad of advertisements claiming that one

cream or one product can give you the smooth, clear,

wrinkle-free complexion that most people hope for, skin care is

in fact a complex process grounded in real science and human

physiology. Many factors contribute to our need for skin care

products, so abstaining altogether from them is not healthy for

our skin either. Healthy skin begins with a basic knowledge of

your skin type, and how to keep it clean, nourished and

protected throughout the year. It also requires a consideration

of our overall diet and nutritional status.

There are four basic steps to successful skin care: cleansing,

toning, moisturizing and special needs such as make-up. Our skin

types are genetically determined, but can vary depending on the

following factors:

diet environment, such as climate change or pollution stress or

anxiety cosmetics and skin care products illness or trauma

hormone levels, such as during puberty, pregnancy or menopause

exercise levels age degree and length of sun exposure

To determine your overall skin type, use this simple blot test.

Press one ply of a dry tissue onto your face for ten seconds,

then remove and examine the results. Balanced skin is damp with

no traces of oil. Dry skin has no oil or moisture residue on the

tissue. Oily skin has left oily and possibly dirt traces on the

tissue. Combination skin has oily and dry marks on the tissue.

Dry Skin

This skin type is characterized by:

dry, flaky patches and is easily chapped feels tight across the

forehead, cheeks and chin itchy and easily irritated sensitive

bruises easily can appear powdery or scaly prone to fine lines

and wrinkles

Dry skin is a result of decreased sebum production, the skin's

indigenous oil, which is important in keeping the skin moist and

lubricated. Consequently, this skin type has less of an oily

barrier, allowing water to evaporate easily through the skin.

This process can be worsened by detergents, heating or air

conditioning, pollution, inadequate skin care, certain chemical

ingredients in cosmetic products, overexposure to sun and wind

and overuse of soaps and alcohol-based products.

Helping to 'restore' dry skin involves protecting the skin with

creamy, oil-based products and avoiding harsh soaps, scrubs or

products which contain alcohol. The Organic Make-up Company

recommends its line of gentle, all natural products,

specifically: oatmeal soap, floral toner once or twice per week,

rich formulation moisturizer in avocado, calendula or jojoba and

facial oil in geranium or avocado at night.

Oily Skin

This skin type is characterized by:

overall shine enlarged pores coarse texture acne spots and

comedones (blackheads) sallow complexion tendency to repel and

run make-up resistance to fine lines and wrinkles

Oily skin is the result of excessive secretions of sebum. It can

be exacerbated by poor health, or a diet high in saturated fats

and sugar. Emotional upset or stress can also trigger more sebum

deposits on the skin. Oily skin is worsened by hormone level

fluctuations, alcohol-based products and harsh soaps, both of

which dry out the skin, thereby activating the oil glands to

produce more sebum. Comedogenic ingredients, such as mineral oil

and other ingredients which are derivatives of petroleum block

pores and can lead to acne spots.

Regular cleansing aids in the removal of bacteria and waxy oils

from the pores. Oily skin responds well to alcohol-free toner

and a lightweight, natural moisturizer. Try the following

products from The Organic Make-up Co. to help 'normalize' oily

skin and reduce significantly the frequency of acne break-outs

and blackheads: Wild Oregano or Chamomile & Calendula soap,

acne-prone toner once or twice per day, regular moisturizer in

calendula, jojoba or grapeseed for daytime and acne-prone facial

oil at night. A gentle exfoliant once per week, such the dual

action exfoliant system offered by The Organic Make-up Co. will

help loosen and remove blackheads.

Balanced Skin

This skin type is rare, and is characterized by:

a creamy colour thickness smoothness firmness few irregularities

or blemishes an even distribution of the skin's natural oil

dryness with age

Balanced skin is worsened by many of the same factors which can

afflict other skin types. Any skin care product offered by The

Organic Make-up Co. will benefit this type of skin.

Combination Skin

Most people have combination skin, with oily areas focused

around the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. Other areas of the

face can at the same time be very dry. All of the products

offered by The Organic Make-up Co. are gentle and effective

enough to treat combination skin, but if you have problems with

acne, follow the recommendations for oily skin.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is not a skin type, but rather a skin condition

which has developed from a skin type. Anyone can develop

sensitive skin, often due to hormonal changes caused by

menopause or pregnancy. This condition can also develop from

allergies to cosmetic ingredients, foods or environmental

factors. Many ingredients made from animal products, petroleum

or synthetics are known allergens for the skin.

The characteristics of this skin condition are:

blotchy, reddened skin broken capillaries high cheek colour

itchy, easily irritated skin chaps and burns easily prone to

break-outs and rashes

This condition is worsened by ordinary soap, synthetic, animal

or petroleum-derived ingredients, astringents, harsh exfoliants

or drying masks, extreme temperatures and climate changes. Use

only mild, soothing formulations on sensitive skin. If an

adverse reaction occurs to any product, such as a burning

feeling, discontinue its use immediately. The Organic Make-up

Co. has found that the following products have given those with

sensitive skin relief and effective skin care: oatmeal soap,

calendula or jojoba moisturizer, hand lotion in calendula and

balanced facial oils for night-time.

Climate Change and Skin Care

Healthy skin is slightly acidic, due to the acid mantle which

covers it. The acid mantle is a combination of sebum and

perspiration designed to protect the skin from the environment.

Each day we lose 850 ml of water through perspiration, so

drinking water is helpful to replace this lost fluid. During the

summer, water loss is more rapid, and humid conditions

accelerate water loss through the skin as the body attempts to

cool itself. As a result, sebum production increases, collecting

on the skin and clogging pores. For many, this process results

in breakouts, so regular cleansing with a mild soap is

recommended.

A good skin care regimen during the summer months is the

following:

Cleansing with a natural, vegetable soap such as chamomile &

calendula or lavender. Exfoliate with the dual action gentle

exfoliant system. Hydrate your skin with acne-prone toner or

floral toner, depending on skin type. Moisturize with sweet

almond or grapeseed moisturizer, regular formulation. Massage

any face oil offered by The Organic Make-up Co. at night. Keep

lips protected and moisturized with sunblocker lip balm, lip

gloss in natural crimson or lip colour palette in strawberry jam

or brick red. Cover up to reduce the amount of exposure to the

sun with a wide brimmed hat, long and loose fitting clothing.

Ninety percent of skin cancers are due to sun damage.

Skin is exposed to very dry environments during the winter

months. Heated homes and offices, wind and extreme temperatures

increase the amount of moisture lost through the skin. Dry,

chapped and flaky skin and lips are not uncommon during this

season and are symptoms of unprotected skin. During the winter

months skin needs more protection and lubrication to inhibit

moisture loss. In addition to regular cleansing and toning,

moisturize the hands, face and neck during the day with a richer

cream, such as The Organic Make-up Co.'s avocado or carrot

tissue in rich formulation face cream. At night, gently massage

geranium or avocado face oil. Keep lips protected with any lip

product from The Organic Make-up Company.

Any skin care discourse which does not include a discussion of

nutrition is lacking a fundamental principle of healthy skin

care. Good health and beauty are synonymous. For instance, a

clogged and spotty complexion can be linked to a diet high in

saturated fats and sugar. Sensitive skin may become worsened by

poor digestion or inadequate absorption of nutrients. Dry flaky

skin may reflect a diet low in fatty acids or vitamin E. Skin

that does not heal quickly may be low in vitamins A, B6, C or

zinc.

A healthy, varied diet helps the skin defend itself against

infection, cell damage and premature aging. Increasing your

daily intake of fresh, raw vegetables and fruit adds vitamins,

antioxidants and water to your diet, all essential elements for

healthy, glowing skin.

Beautiful, radiant skin is within everyone's reach. Knowledge of

your skin type and how to care for your skin all year round,

using all natural cosmetics, combined with a diet rich in fresh,

wholesome foods will help you achieve the skin you have always

wanted.

Visit our website at www.organicmakeup.ca for a full range of

natural skin are and make-up cosmetics. Our products are made

fresh for you once we receive your order. We do not use any

animal, petroleum or synthetic ingredients in our cosmetics.

They are simply fresh, natural and beautiful.

About the author:

Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural

skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women

safe natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her

research a specialist in human biology from the University of

Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and

an education degree from the University of British Columbia,

fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food family and

textile sciences.

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Basic Skin Care

Article : Basic Skin Care