.....When it comes to skin care, there is a lot of misinformation and deliberate deception going on, in the interest of generating huge profits for cosmetic companies.
So let's cut through the hype and talk about the simple science of healthy skin and how little it takes to keep you looking your very best.
Let's agree on something first: the appearance of your skin says more about your age and overall health than any other single factor. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and in addition to protecting your internal organs, muscles and bones, it provides many other critical functions, including production of Vitamin D, (an essential nutrient, necessary for life), keeping out infection and maintaining body temperature.
If you smoke, use tanning booths or spend excessive time in the sun without protection the following information will be of little use to you, as the damage caused by these activities can be extensive and permanent. However, if you’re wishing to counteract the affects of aging and normal wear and tear on your skin, you’ll regard what I am about to share with you as a godsend, which in fact it is, because this simple daily habit involves three components that are derived directly from nature.
Bear in mind - I am not selling anything. I will suggest products you can make, buy down the street or online and I have absolutely no financial interest in any company or product. If you have sensitive skin, please consult your physician before using any of the products discussed below.
But before we get to that, I want to establish some facts about skin care that are sorely missing in corporate media campaigns.
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Moisture
It is true, that the primary quality of healthy skin is that it is sufficiently hydrated. But let me stress, MOISTURE IS WATER, not oil. Putting special emollients, creams, salves, whatever on your skin will not in and of themselves increase or preserve moisture. So those expensive concoctions and preparations that claim to "moisten the skin", forget it! Only water can moisten your skin and the trick is to keep your skin as hydrated as possible, it's that simple folks. So what is the best way to do that?
Your skin has it's own moisture preservation system called Sebum. Sebum is a complex mixture of naturally produced fats, oils, waxes, cholesterols and other molecules. It is important to remember that the fats and oils present in sebum do not originate directly from the fats and oils consumed in the diet. Rather, sebum is manufactured and stored by the sebaceous glands under the direction of a highly specialized biological process. As you get older, or if you have one of several factors that reduce the production of sebum, your skin will not retain moisture well and additional measures may become necessary. If so, the following solutions are incredibly simple and positively cheap!
But how does your skin receive moisture in the first place? One important daily ritual is essential for replacing the moisture that was lost overnight is the shower. In the shower, heat opens up your skins pores and the shower head atomizes the water into tiny droplets that easily make their way to the deeper layers of your skin. However, when you step out into the drier air, that precious moisture quickly begins to evaporate. You must immediately apply a physical barrier to keep air out. Over the years people have come to believe that heavy oils and creams are the answer But there is a much more effective and inexpensive solution that has been used by native peoples for thousands of years:
Aloe Vera Gel - Cleopatra is rumored to have used Aloe Vera to keep her skin smooth and supple and that same amazing plant is still with us today. Not only is it effective for treating skin conditions ranging from dandruff to eczema, bee stings and sunburn, it is also superb at maintaining skin hydration. The gel has a unique property that allows it to maintain it's aqueous state until it hits the air. It then dries immediately, leaving a monolayer of protection that keeps in moisture and keeps out potentially damaging particles of pollution.
You can grow the plant easily yourself in your back yard or sunny window sill or you can buy 100 percent gel from any retailer of skin and hair care products. Extracting the gel is a simple process, so even the bottled form of the substance remains relatively inexpensive.
The brand I use, is: Fruit of the Earth - 100% Aloe Vera Gel: (Available from Amazon or Walmart) But you are by no means limited to buying this brand. Any product that contains 100% Aloe Vera will provide the same amazing results.
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Cellular defense and repair
Jojoba Oil: Though Aloe provides a protective layer, keeping in moisture, it is permeable to certain organic compounds and one of those thankfully is Jojoba oil, which I why I apply it directly after the Aloe has dried on my skin. Jojoba is actually not an oil, but a liquid wax. It’s a melted type of vegetable wax and is found in the seeds/nuts of jojoba plant, which is an evergreen woody shrub plant that grows in hot areas, such as desert areas of California, Arizona and Mexico. It is odorless and has a number of healthy benefits for the skin. it is packed with almost all of the vitamins and minerals essentially needed for healthy hair and skin, namely, vitamin E, B-complex, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and chromium. Jojoba oil lessens irritated skin and promotes natural production of collagen. It protects from sun and prevents premature aging symptoms, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Jojoba is the only oil that closely resembles human sebum – an oily substance naturally produced by the oil glands below the skin surface, so its uses and benefits to the skin and hair are numerous. It is a perfect choice for those who want to use natural products for their skin, hair and face care. It normally does not have any harmful impact and can be used by even those who have sensitive skin, without worrying for any allergic reaction.
Jojoba also has some other unexpected benefits that include reducing the destructive effects of oxidation from pollution and sun exposure. The vitamin E which naturally occurs in jojoba absorbs these radical ions and prevents them from reacting with sensitive skin cells. And surprisingly, it’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities make it an effective defense against acne, eczema and rosacea.
Jojoba oil is available from many sources, but one that I like, trust and use is Trader Joe's 100% Pure Jojoba Oil. You can purchase it from their brick and mortar stores, if you have one nearby, or you can find it on Amazon. Click on the picture to be rerouted to their page.
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Exfoliation (Removal of dead skin cells)
The final component in this triage system of skin care (which is actually done before applying Aloe and Jojoba is Exfoliation. You have probably heard the term, but didn’t know what it meant. Simply put, it is the removal of dead skin cells that can alter it’s normal porosity, function and appearance. In older adults, the production of new skin slows down, which retards the natural sloughing of dead cells from the surface. This can limit the ability of your Aloe and Jojoba to penetrate where you most need it. Plus, it can cause patches of uneven color that may eventually lead to bacterial infections and inflammation. There are two ways to exfoliate the skin, physically and chemically. I prefer the physical method, first of all because it doesn’t involve essentially burning the skin with acids and secondly, it’s more uniform and effective. The best and most natural way I have found to remove dead skin from the face is a salt scrub and you can easily make it yourself.
I prefer the feeling of larger granules so I start with kosher salt or Epsom salt, which can be purchased inexpensively anywhere. Find a large mouthed plastic jar that can be put in the shower and fill it first with a healthy oil, like avocado, almond, olive or grape seed. Then add the salt of your choice to the oil by using a spoon until you achieve a thick slurry that holds together in your hand when you extract it from the jar. Now add a few drops of naturally derived fragrances like lavender, eucalyptus or gardenia for a pleasant scent. Use this scrub on your face, hands, elbows and knees no more than once a day. If you have sensitive skin, consider reducing frequency to weekly applications. Apply and rub gently over the surface, there is no need to press hard. Let the salt do all the work. After you rinse, you’ll be left with a feeling of exhilaration on the fresh, new skin that you’ve liberated.
If you don’t feel like making your own, I have discovered a simply wonderful product made by Trader Joe’s, Lavender Salt Scrub.
Whether you decide to buy these products online, in a store or make them yourself, you will definitely observe a marked improvement in your skin's health and appearance. Depending on the current condition of your skin, the improvements may appear in the first week or after the first month. I have been using this skin regime for the last several years and now when I tell people how old I am, I am always giddy to see their jaw drop. They can't believe it. Comparing pictures taken of myself now with those of 20 years ago, my skin has fewer wrinkles now and the overall tone on my face and body has markedly improved.
Try this healthy skin method for yourself. What have you got to lose but a few dollars?
-Shane Eric Mathias
Author of "The Happiness Tree", due out soon, published by Balboa Press
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