Skin

So, I thought I would write a little about skin. And skincare. There is so much information out there—it seems really complicated and confusing! 

The healthy skin has a ph of 4.5 to 5.5. Healthy skin has an acid mantle, which is made up of sweat, sebum, vitamins from the diet and friendly microbes. The same kind of healthy microbes that live in the gut. (It is interesting to note that ‘acidophilus’ means acid lover in Greek. I believe it is one of the most common microbes.) That acid mantle, when it’s intact, provides a barrier for the skin. What this boils down to is that both the water and the oil content of the skin must remain in balance.

Ayurveda teaches that aging is a process of dehydration. The medicine for dehydration is head to toe oil self-massage. Just in case you were feeling curious. =)

I prefer to use the analogy of a sponge. Think about the dried out kitchen sponge. If you were to pour oil on it, nothing would be absorbed. If any oil were eventually absorbed, it would probably be just a thin outer layer. Now, think of a damp sponge. You already know it will easily absorb liquids once it’s damp. Well, skin works like a sponge. Promise. This is why product will just sit on top of the skin—it’s just too dried out.

Most people have dehydrated skin. Almost everyone with whom I spoke at work had some level of dehydration. In dry skin, it causes a crepe-y effect. Yes, even the eyelids and the neck! In sensitive skin, many of whom struggle with redness, the skin is so dehydrated, it may become inflamed. And for oily skin, when the skin is dehydrated, the sebaceous glands kick in to high gear in order to preserve any remaining water in the skin.

The proper use of products can play a role in keeping the acid mantle intact. It’s helpful to know how you can do this. Wash your face with non-foaming cleansers. I know it may seem weird, yet oil dissolves oil and can be a boon to congested skins. If you have oily skin and want something else, look for low-foaming cleanser that won’t strip your skin. Use a hydrating mist. Better still, use a compress mask after you cleanse for 3 minutes, then follow with mist/toner. Then immediately follow with your serum or facial oil/moisturizer. If you allow the toner to dry, it will actually pull more water from the skin. Remember to keep the skin damp to allow the products to be absorbed into the skin.

Establishing a solid routine can do much to prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. Preventing dehydration is key!