Caring For Your Skin

Taking care of your skin is one of those situations where basic is better. That’s because the epidermis, your outer layer of skin, is made up mainly of lifeless cells whose purpose is to protect the layers beneath from injury and to preserve moisture. So all the various creams, ointments and emollients can only do so much. Your main goal should be to help remove these cells as new ones rise to the surface in the grand tradition of exfoliation.

A Simple Cleansing Regimen
* Wash your face morning and night to remove dirt, dead cells, excess oil (if any) and makeup
* Wash your face with your bare hands using warm water and a pH-balanced antibacterial soap no more than twice a day. Rinse with cold water to close pores
* Pat your skin dry gently to prevent irritation
* Keep your hands away from your face so you don’t spread the bacteria and cause more eruptions
* Never, ever squeeze or pop pimples. It’s hard to resist, but you should because it causes inflammation and could result in infection or scarring

Eradicate Free Radicals
These pesky little particles, subatomic in size, attack your skin’s cells and hasten the onset of wrinkles. Most come from the sun. However; smoking, caffeine, alcohol and stress can also take their toll. In addition to sunscreen, you can help your body get rid of free radicals by making sure certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids (antioxidants) are part of your diet.
They include:
* Vitamins A, Beta-Carotene, B-Complex, C and E
* Minerals Zinc and Selenium
* Amino Acids L-Cysteine and Glutathione

Sunscreen
* When used properly, sunscreens protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays
* Sunscreens are rated for their protection ability. Look for high SPF (sun protection factor) numbers. The higher the number, the greater the protection
* Choose the SPF number based on your skin type and the length of time you expect to be in the sun
* Apply sunscreen liberally and frequently. Re-apply after swimming or vigorous exercise
* Remember that UV rays can penetrate some types of fabric, so wear sunscreen under your clothes, too

Normal skin has a good oil/water balance. It can fluctuate and sometimes will be a little more dry or oily. The follicles are a normal size and the skin is usually free of blemishes. If you can see the follicle size change from medium to smaller just on the edge of the T-zone by the nose, measuring outward from the center of the face, this is a normal skin type. Maintenance and preventative care is the goal for this type of skin.

Combination skin can be both oily and dry at the same time. The T-zone through the middle of the face on the forehead, nose, and chin is oilier. This area has more sabaceous glands and larger pores. The outer areas of the face can be dry and even appear flaky. From the center of the face, if you can see the pore size change from larger to medium just outside the T-zone on the cheeks next to the nose, this is a combination skin type. Combination skin needs to be balanced and requires more care than normal skin. To care for combination skin, the oil/water balance can be achieved by treating both the oily and dry areas of the face. Deep cleansing and regular exfoliation help to keep skin clear and blemishes minimal. Water-based products for combination skin work best.

Dry Skin
Dry skin is defined as flaking or scaling -- which may or may not be itchy -- when there is no evidence of dermatitis, or inflammation, of the skin. Flaking, however, may be a sign of underlying dermatitis, which also is called eczema. There are different types of dermatitis that may cause dry, itchy, flaking skin.
Dry skin most often occurs on the shins, hands and sides of the abdomen. It is more common during the winter months, when humidity is low. Some people also have a genetic, or hereditary, tendency to develop dry skin. In addition, elderly people tend to have more trouble with dry skin due to the natural changes in skin that occur with age.

Treatment is important because extensively dry skin can lead to eczema or other forms of dermatitis.

Dry skin may be prevented or treated by:
* Taking lukewarm baths or showers
* Limiting baths/showers to 5 to 10 minutes
* Applying a moisturizer right after drying off from a shower or washing your hands
* Using a moisturizing body soap and hand soap
* Using heavier creams or ointments during the winter months and lighter lotions in the summer