THE SKIN: ITS CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS

The skin reflects at first sight the body’s health and age. This is especially true in the case of facial skin.

The skin is the largest organ in our body. It has a surface of 1.5 square metres and weighs 3 kg. The skin in the areas of the face, neck and hands is more exposed, especially in summer and, therefore, needs more protection to defend itself from the sun, the wind and pollution. Cells have organules called mythocondria, whose role is to transform nutrition into energy. During this transformation free radicals are liberated. They are short-lived, aggressive chemical products that harm the cell membrane and the whole organism. They may cause dryness, itching, red blotches, appearance of injuries, bone fractures and serious illnesses. They are responsible for wrinkles, withering and pigmented spots, too.

The skin wrinkles, loses its elasticity and flexibility, changes its appearance and, in general, we can say that it oxidizes. Antioxidants (vitamins A, B, E and C) and essential trace elements (iron, selenium, zinc) fight against this phenomenon.

The most important vitamins for the skin are E, A, and C and the most important trace element is zinc. Lack of vitamins A and E causes skin damage: skin dryness, itching, rough skin, cracks, pigmented spots, wrinkles, etc.

Vitamin E

The anti-wrinkling action of vitamin E results from its antioxidant power. As we have seen, free radicals are the main cause for cell degeneration, and vitamin E blocks them thus stopping the ageing process and the wrinkle generation. Vitamin E has other beneficial functions, including its hydrating action, its capacity to prevent partly the damage from sun rays and its help in healing processes and elimination of scars. Vitamin E is found at its highest concentration in wheat germ oil, then in soya oil, and in lower concentrations in maize oil, avocado, mango, cabbage and asparagus

Vitamin A

Another skin antioxidant is vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining human health –its lack may cause hardening of the skin and membranes–. Vitamin A contributes to the health of eyes, skin, hair, teeth and gums, and it acts as a healing agent for skin sores and ulcers. It can be found in cherries, apricots, carrots and spinach.

Vitamin C

As an antioxidant, vitamin C prevents skin ageing. Likewise, it is important for the scarring process.

Creams containing vitamin C do not provoke skin dryness or redness and protect it from sensitivity to sun rays.

Zinc

The most important trace element for the skin is zinc. It plays a beneficial role in scarring processes.

Its presence is vital for the action of another antioxidant, vitamin A, and its lack causes hair loss.

Supplying Vitamins And Trace Elements From The Outside: Creams And Products

Vitamins E, A and C, together with zinc, are necessary elements both to keep the youthful appearance of skin and to treat any irritation, redness or itching. In addition, they defend the skin from its greatest enemy: the sun. Creams and products containing these elements will, therefore, have a cosmetic and healing function. Apart from preserving the skin’s beauty, they will satisfy its needs and protect it or free it from any type of irritation.

Vitamins A and E are lipid soluble (i.e. soluble in fat). This feature enables their protection from the heat and the sun and their provision as cream.Vitamin E is the most resistant of vitamins. Apart from being lipid soluble, it may endure high temperatures –it is not destroyed until it reaches 200º C– and it also resists acids and alkalines.

In view of the above explanations, for a cream to contain high levels of vitamin E, A and C and the trace element zinc it is necessary for it to have high concentrations of essential oils (lipids). The creams of this line are over 53.9% concentrated in lipids, while the usual concentration of the creams that can be found in the market is 7%.

Creams are suitable for dry and normal skins (and for the area around the eyes and the neck for everyone). In the oily areas of the skin there is no need to apply any cream. It is just enough to keep them clean with a cleansing liquid for greasy skins and nourish them with hydrating tonic. One must not be afraid not to use creams.

This line of products aims at reaching the balance and normalization of the skin’s condition. If the skin is dry, then it must be nourished until it reaches the appropriate condition. If the skin is greasy, then the oil overproduction must be reduced and eliminated and one must avoid covering this type of skin with any kind of cream.

It is important to follow the treatment exactly as described in this catalogue and on the labels of each product and to maintain your trust for one month. Then, the change can be appraised and you can decide whether or not to carry on.