Let us discuss about nature of skin and its care. We all begin our lives with a soft and smooth skin, but not many of us can boast of a finely textured skin by the time we are thirty. This is because most of us take out skin, the largest organ in the body, very much for granted. Remember, your skin can get tired if not looked after, and that it like any other living tissue, really does respond to tender care and attention. If you realize how full of life your skin is and understand how it performs it various functions, skin care will become at once more logical and more easily undertaken. Understanding your skin will also enable you to make an active use of your skin in relating more positively to your environment and in communicating with your fellow human beings.

The three types of skin glands are apocrine glands, eccrine sweat glands, and sebaceous glands. Apocrine glands are present in association with the hair follicles. They are found mainly in areas where there is obvious body hair such as in the armpits and around the genital area. These glands are under hormonal control. A large part of the body odor can be traced to the apocrine glands. By themselves secretions of these glands are odorless, but bacteria act on the secretions to produce the characteristic body odor. The eccrine sweat glands are disturbed widely over the skin and produce a much larger amount of secretions. These glands are concerned with the regulation of body temperature. Under normal circumstances the sweat glands produce about half a liter of sweat in a day. The sebaceous glands are present throughout the entire surface of the skin, except the palms and soles. They are particularly numerous in the scalp and on the face. These glands open in to the hair follicles and secrete on oily lubricant the sebum.

If you know that skin involves three layers like the dermis, epidermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The exterior epidermis is a comparatively thin layer. Underneath the epidermis are the broader and the much strapping dermis. The subcutaneous tissue or the fat adjoining layer lies under the dermis.

Epidermis:

The epidermis is a quietly a thin layer. Its width varies around the body, depending on the particular desires of that area. For example, the epidermis greater than the eyelids is chiefly thin, whereas that over the palms and soles is incredibly thick. The epidermis is itself made up of more than a few layers. On the outside is the horny layer the division corneum. This layer is complete up of dead cells, which are endlessly mortal shed. The cells are shed off as small to be seen now and again; though, these collectives become superior and are then able to be seen as scales. This is precisely what happens in dandruff or when our skin is deprived of moisture. Under the layer of dead cells are masses of living cells including the stratum Malpighi. The layer produces the main skin protein known as keratin. The lowermost layer of the epidermis or the basal layer is where new cells are produced. These new cells take about a month to travel to the surface. In some diseases, however, the movement of the cells to the surface is speeded up and his results in scaling. The skin pigment, melanin, is produced by special cells called melanocytes. Melanin is very important for the protection of the skin from the sun this is precisely the reason why melanocytes are stimulated on exposure to the sun, resulting in darkening of the skin.

The Dermis:

The dermis is a greatly a thicker layer than the epidermis. It is complete up of a connective tissue frame work in which are entrenched lymph vessels, nerves, blood vessels, several types of glands, hair and a complete variety of cells. The connective tissue of the dermis is principally finished up of a protein named as collagen. Currently this protein is being widely used for the treatment of a variety of skin troubles like wrinkles and scars. Elastin or elastic fibers are other type of protein fibers in the dermis. The dermis also enclosed a multifarious system of blood and lymph vessels and a highly convoluted nervous system. The nerves accept and pass on a never-ending stream of precious information to the body. Any type of skin massage is considered to make possible drainage of lymph glands.

The Subcutaneous Tissue:

Under the dermis is the fat storage space of the skin. The quantity of the fat accumulated differs in diverse parts of the body. Most parts of the body have been given fancy names like cellulite. This tissue has been a basis of substantial disagreement in scientific and cosmetic circle.

The moisture content of the skin really means its water content this is the most important factor which governs its softness and elasticity and is responsible for its youthful appearance. But water is constantly being lost from the skin surface and this loss is continuously being replaced from below. There are two main factors which reduce the loss of water from the skin the outer horny layer or the stratum corneum and the invisible hydro-lipid film that covers the skin surface. The flat overlapping dead cells of the stratum corneum make a somewhat water proof cover, forming a natural barrier against excessive water loss.

This layer contains chemical substances which are the natural moisturizing factors, which help to retain water in the skin. The other factor which prevents water loss is sebum. This forms a hydro-lipid film which holds on to the water. The degree of protection offered by sebum, however, varies depending on your skin type; it is limit if your skin type is oily. In an atmosphere with low humidity, such as during cold windy weather or with central heating or air conditioning the water tends to be drawn out of the skin to the surrounding air at a rate much faster than it can be replaced. Excessive exposure to the sun, especially if the skin is not protected by an appropriate screen also dries the skin.

Soaps and detergents reduce the ability of the skin to retain water, because they damage the natural moisturizing factors and also remove the oil from the hydro-lipid film. Using cosmetic cleansers, unsuitable for your skin type can also dehydrate your skin for instance a product formulated to clean and remove excess oil from an oily skin can play havoc with dry skin because it would further remove the oil and reduce its ability to hold water.

This category of skin care products includes cosmetics like skin fresheners, toners and astringents. They basically contain alcohol and water. Glycerin witch hazel, menthol, camphor, boric acid, rose water and alum are often added. The basic difference in the formula is in the amount of alcohol these products contain. As alcohol has a very drying effect, there is little or none of it in the products intended for dry skin while the products for use on oily skin have high alcohol content.

These products are used after cleaning the skin (with soap or any other cleanser), though they can be used as interim cleansers as well, as they can remove grime and oils. They freshen and tone up the skin and prepare it for application of make-up. They also restore the acid/alkali balance of the skin, because they are pH balanced. Despite claims to the contrary, fresheners, toners and astringents do no close pores. As a matter of fact, no cosmetic product can alter the actual size of the pores. What really happens after using these products is a mild irritation of the skin. These results in swelling of the skin and so the pores appear less prominent.

Toner for Normal Skin:

This is a refreshing toner for normal skins. Chop up a small size of fresh cucumber and liquidize it with half a cup of yoghurt. Apply the mixture for 5-10 minutes, and wash it off. The remainder can be stored in the fridge for future use.