The skin is a complex part of our bodies. Throughout our lives it needs constant attention. Babies get nappy rash, birthmarks and eczema, children suffer measles, chicken-pox, warts and impetigo, teenagers endure acne, pimples, cold sores, blisters and athlete’s foot, dermatitis, allergies and psoriasis occur in adulthood. As we age the skin dries, varicose veins appear and for the unfortunate bed sores can occur. For all Australians of any age the threat of skin cancer lurks in the sky every summer. Also the hair and the nails are part of the skin and are prey to their own disorders.
Apart from the particular afflictions of the skin we will all experience at least once in a lifetime, there is the day to day need for skin care to help prevent the occurence of disorders.
Women are the largest group using skin preparations in the form of cosmetics. It is important to keep a sceptical eye on the product. Cosmetics that claim they are going beneath the basal layer of the epidermis should strictly be classified as a pharmaceutical. If the claim they are penetrating the skin is made, be wary of spending too much money.
Allergies are a problem for a number of women. Some people develop allergies to ‘natural products’ such as lanolin and carrot oil. Hypo-allergenic products may help but can also create allergies. The user needs to know the contents of the product or get advice from a specialist.
Skin cleansers include soaps and creams. If you are happy using soap and find a soap which does not make your skin tight or dry, the soap is the right pH value and alkalinity for your skin, then keep on using it. If soap is causing a contact dermatitis it may be the alkalinity or the perfume. Try a glycerine soap (transparent) that is unperfumed. Many people suffer a reaction to the perfumes in cosmetics. If the soap you are using does not agree with your baby, their skin will become pink and sore.
Antibacterial soaps for acne or body odour do not last more than a few hours. It is better to use a soap and then apply a specialised preparation. Tea tree oil can be used for fungal problems and acne. Sandalwood oil is an excellent underarm deodorant.
Always wash soap off as it can cause irritation and infection. This is particularly so in the elderly person, or babies, who may be washed by a carer. Rinse the person until all soap has gone.
Cleansers range from lathering to washing-off types to heavy oily mixtures that are wiped off. The lathering type is used by teenagers with oily skin and the oilier unction is preferred by older people. There are many such preparations on the market today which have natural bases and are a lot cheaper than the international labels. It is a case of buy and try and stick faithfully to the one that suits you. One of the most successful cleansers I ever used was made from beeswax and lanolin and cost $3 a tub!
Astringents are usually alcohol based and can be very drying to the skin, stripping it of all natural grease and lubrication. Some astringents claim they will close the pores of the skin but this is a somewhat fallacious claim. For older people, alcohol free toners with orange blossom water and witchhazel are refreshing. Men are victims of many commercial aftershave lotions which dry the skin.
Moisturisers are valuable for all skin types. The epidermis has a high water content but washing and air-conditioned environments can dry this out and the skin is lined with fine wrinkles. Moisturisers help keep the water in but one of the most effective water restoring methods is to drink plenty of water every day. Ten glasses will keep skin fresh and be of great benefit to the rest of the body.
Vegetable additives of use to the skin are aloe vera, jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond oil. Fresh vegetables can be applied directly to the skin to refresh it, such as cucumber on the eyes. Honey is a great cleanser of the skin and leaves it as soft a baby’s bottom. Some people enjoy the application of a raw egg left to dry and then washed off. It tightens the skin in the same way as a face mask. The effect of most of these external preparations is to stimulate the circulation of the skin.
Scrubs for the face made of cinnamon or oatmeal are useful to get grime out of the skin after a week walking through a city environment. A louffa can be used on the rest of the body. This process of cleaning the skin is enjoyable but once a week is enough as the removal of the top layer of skin is drying and an extra dose of moisturiser is called for.
Aromatherapy offers some skin mixes which are sensuous:
For normal skin, massage 1 drop of rose oil, 1 drop of chamomile oil and 2 teaspoons of almond oil into the face.
For oily skin wash the face with a mild soap, apply a witchhazel toner, then a facial oil made up of 1 drop of cypress oil, 1 drop of juniper oil, and 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil.
For dry skin wash the face with mild soap, rinse in a cool wash of chamomile tea. Massage a mixture of 1 drop of lavender oil, 1 drop of sandalwood oil, 1 drop of rose oil and 2 teaspoons of carrier oil made up of 3 parts almond oil, 3 parts avocado oil and 1 part wheatgerm oil.
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