Third in the series of the year of wellness is the skin edition. I am going take a semi deep dive into the skin so that you have a better understanding of your largest organ.
SKIN is an absolute complexity of structure and performance.
Made up of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, it serves as the body's first line of defence against external physical and chemical aggressors. Skin functions to protect the body from invasive pathogens, stop UV penetration, eliminate and prevent excess water loss.
Our face is the most noticeable part of our body. The condition and appearance of our facial skin is a key indicator of our overall health and it also plays a significant role in our self-esteem. Problems with facial skin and signs of ageing are highly visible on the face and can affect a person’s confidence. Naturally we want to keep our facial skin in the very best condition and it is for this reason that the face is the focus of so much skincare research and so many skincare products.
Like all skin, facial skin performs an important role as a barrier against the external environment. But, unlike the skin on the majority of our body, it is almost always in direct contact with the elements such as the sun and UV rays. Facial skin is particularly thin and sensitive and so is more susceptible to ageing.
The skin around the eyes is even thinner and delicate and needs appropriate care. The epidermis (the external layers of skin) is normally about 0.1mm thick; around the eyes it ranges from 0-0.5mm thick.
Facial skin, and its condition, differs from person to person but there are 4 main skin types – normal, dry, oily and combination.
Normal skin
‘Normal’ is a term widely used to refer to well-balanced skin. The scientific term for healthy skin is eudermic. Normal skin is well balanced: neither too oily nor too dry.
Dry skin
‘Dry’ is used to describe a skin type that produces less sebum than normal skin. As a result of the lack of sebum, dry skin lacks the lipids that it needs to retain moisture and build a protective moisture shield against external influences. Dry skin can feel tight and rough and look dull.
Oily skin
‘Oily’ is used to describe a skin type with heightened sebum production. An over production is known as seborrhea. Oily skin has a glossy shine and visible pores.
Combination skin
Combination skin is, as the name suggests, skin that consists of a mix of skin types. In combination skin the skin types vary in the T-zone and the cheeks.
Because the structure and function of our skin differs according to where it is on our bodies, the different areas benefit from a tailored approach to skincare.
I like the 3 step approach to a basic skincare routine: Cleanse, Treat, Protect
It is important to CLEANSE your skin gently but thoroughly in the morning and in the evening. Skin products sebum as it regenerates overnight, so gentle cleansing in the morning removes this sebum and ensures that your skin is ready for protection and care. In the evening, cleansing will remove dirt, sweat, sebum, make-up and sun protection and prepare your skin to absorb the benefits of the active ingredients in your evening treatments.
TREATments/Actives (Serums) perform 2 roles: they target and treat specific concerns and conditions and they hydrate and replenish skin.
Sun PROTECTION is an essential part of your morning skincare routine. While a little sun is good for skin and encourages the healthy production of Vitamin D, over exposure to UV rays damages skin, is one of the major causes of premature ageing and can lead to more severe conditions such as skin cancers.
Evaluating skin type and condition
Unlike skin type, skin condition can vary greatly during the course of your life. The many internal and external factors that determine its condition include: climate and pollution, medication, stress, hereditary factors that influence the levels of sebum, sweat and natural moisturizing factors that your skin produces as well as the products that you use and the skincare choices that you make.
Skincare products should be selected to match skin type and address skin condition.
When determining a person’s skin type and condition I use the following: Skin Color, Sebum & Sweat Production, NMF's (natural moisturizing factors),and Skin Sensitivity.
Does all of this sound confusing to you?
Do you want to know more or start your journey to healthy skin?
Feel free to book in for a consultation, or The Essential Facial is perfect for determining your skin type/condition and treating it.
306-545-7373
www.fleurt.ca