Did you know that your skin is your largest organ?
- It makes up 16 percent of your total weight
- Most adults skin weigh in at 20 pounds or more depending upon your weight and height.
Epidermis - This outer layer, no thicker than a sheet of paper, both shields you from the world and presents you to it.
Dermis - This thick middle layer makes up most of your skin. It contains collagen and elastin — fibers that give strength, structure and elasticity.
Hypodermis (Subcutaneous) - This layer, which is mainly fat, is the source of nerves and blood vessels as well as the roots of your hair follicles, oil glands and sweat glands.
Every square inch of this amazing layer contains:
• 15 feet of blood vessels
• 4 yards of nerves
• 650 sweat glands
• 100 oil glands
• 1500 sensory receptors
• 3 million cells which are replaced every 28-45 days
The constant use of soaps, cleansers and skin creams that contain harsh chemicals, petroleum and mineral oil as well as being the incorrect pH for your skin disrupts the natural acid mantle of your precious skin. This can cause irritation, itchy rashes, acne, dermatitis, eczema, dry scalp and worse yet, infection!
Special Note: Your skin is responsible for one fourth of the body’s detoxification, most of it through sweat. In fact, it eliminates up to two pounds of waste acids each day, therefore it is extremely important what we wash our skin with and what creams we apply to it. Only natural products like ours will produce healthier and more glowing results !
Skin Has Important Functions
1) Protection: an anatomical barrier from pathogens and damage between the internal and external environment in bodily defense.
2) Sensation: contains a variety of nerve endings that react to heat and cold, touch, pressure, vibration, and tissue injury.
3) Heat regulation: contains a great blood supply - dilated blood vessels increase perfusion and heat loss while constricted vessels greatly reduce cutaneous blood flow and conserve heat.
4) Control of evaporation: provides a relatively dry and impermeable barrier to fluid loss.
5) Aesthetics and communication: others see our skin and can assess our health, mood, physical state and attractiveness.
6) Storage and synthesis: acts as a storage center for lipids and water, as well as a means of synthesis of vitamin D by action of UV.
7) Excretion: excretion of water by sweating is a supplemental function to temperature regulation.
8) Absorption: Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide can diffuse into the epidermis in small amounts, thereby providing an important site of transport.
9) Water resistance: acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren't washed out of the body.
Two basic problems can result from improper care of this protective barrier.
1) Dryness: neglect of cleaning can lead to growth of germs. The dead cells that continually slough off of the epidermis mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and dust to form a filthy layer on its surface.
If not washed away with the right body wash, the skin can emit a foul smell.
The natural functions of the skin become disturbed when allowed to become excessively dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, dead cells accumulate to produce dry, itchy, flaky symptoms and is more prone to develop infections.
2) Excess Oil: negative aspects of this is that oily complexions are especially susceptible to clogged pores, blackheads, acne and buildup of dead cells on the surface. This can lead to a sallow and rough texture and tends to produce large, clearly visible pores.
The goal of treating excess oil is to remove surface sebum without complete removal of needed lipids.
The best method of cleansing is to wash with a gentle "non-soap" cleanser containing no oils, waxes or other lipid agents that could aggravate the oily condition of the skin. Such a product removes the oily residue and debris from the surface.
Cleansing should remove dead cells from the upper layers. Then apply a light moisturizer to prevent build up from reoccurring.
To properly clean and moisturize your skin and to prevent conditions from occurring, follow this 2 part program:
1) Cleansing: wash your face and body with a soap that is hypo-allergenic, fragrance free and has the capability to penetrate all 7 layers to remove dead cells and excess oil. This will encourage proper repair before even beginning the next step.
2) Moisturizing: for the face, apply a specific face and neck cream that is gentle yet deep penetrating to keep the 7 layers clear of dead cells, free of excess oil, elastic and strong. Then balance is restored and proper exfoliation resumed.
For the body, apply a thick and rich cream that will keep all 7 layers free from dead cells by lifting them up and filling the new cells with much needed nutrients and moisture thereby restoring critical balance. Stay away from mineral oik, petroleum, parabens, and other harmful, cell clogging chemicals!