Skin Care Guide
Don't Let Your Skin Go Dryby Natalie Katsman Water makes up 60% of the human body. Not only blood and other body fluids have water as their main ingredient, water is stored in all body tissues. Cytoplasm, cells and cell walls contain lots of water. Skin is a large water storage, yet it gets dry, itchy and flaky. Why? Every day 4-8 oz. of water evaporates through the skin, and we don't even notice how it happens. Replenishing water by drinking more fluids is helpful, but does not guarantee smooth and resilient skin. Moisture balance is regulated by chemical reactions in tissues, and is not directly related to the amount of water you drink. If we could apply water topically, it would not help much either. Skin does feel soft and moisturized right after a bath: it happens because the horny layer (the outermost skin layer), which is formed by dead skin cells, absorbs water. During a bath up to 2 oz. of water can be absorbed by the skin. But this water is not allowed any deeper than the surface cells. Later, within 10 minutes, all this water evaporates, leaving skin dry again. Human skin has its own mechanism to prevent moisture loss. Our skin cells work hard to create a protective layer. This layer consists of oils, aminoacids, sugar compounds and other elements, either water or oil soluble. All together they bind with water and don't let it evaporate. Water, that is not allowed to leave skin surface, is absorbed by the horny layer cells. The skin becomes softer, smoother and more flexible. Hot or cold air, low humidity, frequent contacts with water or cleansing solutions ruin the protective layer, and skin loses its natural ability to hold moisture. When water level in the skin drops by 10%, the skin becomes dry, itchy and flaky. As we age, skin's protection mechanism slows down and skin becomes dry. In some people dry skin is inherited genetically. Even though the outermost skin layer is made of dead cells, we have to take care of it. The primary function of the horny layer is protection of deeper skin layers, where new cells are born. Regular use of hydrating creams helps to prevent water loss, restore moisture balance and elasticity of the outer skin layer and help it do its job. Oils, mucopolysaccharides, and fatty acids are widely used in cosmetics to prevent water loss. The most effective cosmetic ingredients for this purpose are liposomes, ceramides and sphingolipids. Liposomes are microscopic spheres that can be used to encapsulate water, vitamins or other beneficial ingredients. Because these elements are similar in structure to cell membrane, they are easily utilized by the skin. They can penetrate skin surface, bind with it and release the substances they carry. Ceramides and Sphingolipids are the elements that hold skin cells together so that the environment can not get in and the moisture can not get out. Lipids are lost with age, and the moisture barrier is weakened. Research shows that applying ceramides topically has the effect of generating ceramide production in the skin, thereby increasing the lipid content and reinforcing the protective barrier.
Look for creams with the above ingredients to keep your skin in its best condition and defy aging. (C) Natalie Katsman, 2004 Please feel free to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Please send a copy or a link to your publication to info@natural-aid.com.
About The Author Natalie Katsman
Learn skin care secrets, find out how to protect your skin and preserve its youthful and healthy appearance. Visit us at: http://www.Natural-Aid.com
Welcome to our skin care article directory, the virtual
library of updated safety and skin care information from various sites. This section
is intended to make it easy for you to browse through the many types of creams, eye lotions and facial products etc.
If you find any other site with a large quantity of skin care and beauty related reviews,
let us know so can add it to this page.
skin - Live Search News
Search results
Nu Skin Enterprises to Present at Wachovia Consumer Growth Conference - Forbes
8 Oct 2008 at 4:41am
PROVO, Utah, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) chief financial officer, Ritch Wood, will present at the Wachovia 2008 Consumer Growth Conference in New York City, on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008. The company's ...
Skin condition ichthyosis isnt just a surface problem - Beacon News
8 Oct 2008 at 3:58am
A diagnosis of ichthyosis usually sends people scrambling for their dictionaries. Taken from the Greek root for fish, the genetic skin disease is aptly named. It slows or inhibits the skin's natural shedding process, making it dry, rough and scaly ...
Pineapple sage lends fruity scent to sweet and savory dishes - Detroit News
8 Oct 2008 at 4:34am
Marge in Wilmington, N.C. Dear Marge: For years, I grew this herb just for the pleasure of brushing up against it in the garden. As you know, it smells amazingly like pineapple and barely like sage. Spreading leaves in a shallow basket and letting ...
Skin Care Buyer's Guide
|
Navagation
Skin Care Treatments
Skin Care Products
Natural Skin Care
Acne Treatment
Facial Tips
Brand Directory
Buyer's Guide
What's New?
New template - hope you enjoy it
266 267 268 269 270
|
