Skin complaints, ranging from visible scarring to acne to allergic
reaction, pigmentation and premature ageing, can all be addressed, controlled
and eradicated with a good skin care regime. Regardless of the skin’s
condition, improvement in diet, lifestyle and skin care can all make a payment
to a healthier complexion.
Skin care is not a modern happening. There are documented
accounts from Ancient Egypt that suggest Cleopatra, well-known for her
anti-aging method and skin care regimen, bathed in sour milk, which is high in
lactic acid and has since been proven to be a beneficial skin exfoliant.
Ancient Greek athletes used to bathe in Olive Oil and dust their body with fine
sand to prevent skin from burning in the scorching sun, while the Romans would
regularly bathe with soaps to wash their skin. The evolution of skincare
through the ages has led to the development of many new
technologies and products that recommend more choice than
ever before; despite this, the importance of a good skin care routine is often
over-looked or underappreciated. We’ve all heard someone recite that age old
belief; ‘I only ever used soap and water on my skin and it looks fine’, but
with the stresses and strains of modern day living, this approach to skincare
will not adapt to or protect against the ever-changing pressure our skin is
under and, with time, the effects of this overlook will become very apparent.
The skin is the body’s largest integumentary organ and
fulfils a huge number of invaluable tasks; because it interacts with the impression
on a daily basis, skin plays a key role in protecting against pathogens and
excessive water loss while providing insulation, temperature regulation,
sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates.
Skin that is well sheltered, nourished and preserved against oxidisation, pollution,
UV rays and other lifestyle and ecological elements will remain healthier for
longer; the results of this effort will be visible both in the short and
long term as, for example, up to date complaint are fruitfully
addressed and the ageing process slowed.
All facial skin care routines be supposed to include an
at-home regime comprising a cleanser, toner or lotion, a serum or think and a
moisturiser. Professional supplementation of a home care routine is also a key
factor in skin care; a course of facial treatments rich in high quantities of
active ingredients will benefit the skin in a multitude of visible and
invisible ways. A skin care government that encompasses athome care with in-spa
professional treatments is the quickest and most effective way to ensure skin
stays healthy, hydrated, nourished and clean. The earlier first-rate skin care
habits are adopted, the better skin’s overall stipulation will be as it ages.
Hygiene is of the utmost importance for skin, especially
when considering the daily battle it faces protecting the body against dirt,
dust, smoke, pollution and pathogens, colloquially known as germs. Unclean skin
is a favoured place for pathogenic organisms to develop. Dead cells shed by the
epidermis mix with sweat and sebaceous gland secretions as well as dirt or dust
to form a grimy layer on the skin’s surface. Functions of the skin are
disturbed when it is excessively dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, the
release of antibacterial compounds decrease, and is more prone to infection.
A good quality cleanser will take away dirt, make-up, excess
oil, built-up toxins and other pollutants which clog pores and can lead to
conditions such as acne. Ingredients to avoid in a cleanser include alcohol,
parabens, synthetic fragrances, often labelled Parfum, and artificial colours,
as these will be detrimental to skin health; for example artificial fragrances
can encourage skin pigmentation while alcohol dries skin out and can actually
speed up the ageing process. detailed ingredients will be most beneficial to
each skin type: Oily types should look for lemon, saponaria and rosemary; lemon
and grapefruit essential oil are good for balancing combination skin; dry skin
benefits from cucumber, arnica and rose essential oil; while soothing
chamomile, calendula, bottle green tea and allantoin are highly suited to
sensitive skin.
Lotion or Toner is an oft neglected step in a skin care
routine but plays a crucial role in strengthening or stabilising skin; certain
lotions will remove
better preparing it for further management. Lotions can also
work to stabilise the PH balance of skin and depending on skin type can reduce
oiliness, provide added moisture, control sensitivity, brighten the complexion,
prevent bacterial growth and soothe irritation. Applying lotion or toner calms
skin after the cleansing process and, as long as a lotion is used that best
suits skin type, will have added benefits for optimum skin hygiene and health.
Alcohol-based toners and lotions should be avoided, especially by particularly
oily skin types, as the alcohol will dry skin out and lead to over-production
of oil by the sebaceous glands to replace the lost moisture, causing skin to be
converted into even oilier. Ingredients to look for include aloe, liquorice,
green tea, azulene, allantoin, lactic acid for oily skin and salicylic acid for
blemished skin.
A good concentrate or serum can revitalise, de-age, repair,
hydrate and nourish skin. By penetrating skin with additional ingredients
suited to skin type they maximise the effectiveness of moisturisation and encourage
more perceptible results. Pevonia’s professional concentrates contain up to 10%
active ingredients, in contrast to retail products which contain around 0.2%,
and as such results will be achieved far more quickly and for longer, which is
why it’s worth invest in good quality professional foodstuffs.
Moisturisation is a key constituent in a good skin care
routine; moisturisers have the ability to ease dryness, control oiliness,
refine pores, calm and decongest the skin, control breakouts, repair skin and
provide a protective barrier against the elements. Daily sun disclosure, even
in winter, can hasten the ageing process and cause pigmentation, which is why
moisturisers with UV protection are extremely important to help maintain
youthful looking, healthy skin. Moisturisers containing all likely ingredients
will react best with the skin as various of them contain components already
found
organically in the skin and the knowledge of the ingredients
will cause them to be accepted more readily; using a synthetic product can have
unpleasant effects on immediate and future skin health and appearance,
especially as many synthetic products contain ‘fillers’, which provide
attractive but
ultimately useless and potentially detrimental colouring,
fragrance and texture additives.
An at-home skin care government should be supplemented with
professional in-spa treatments to maximise results. A consultation with a
therapist to determine skin type followed by a 12 week recommended treatment
course is an indispensable and effective way of stabilising skin and
controlling
complaints. Professional treatments make use of higher
quantities of active ingredients than at-home products and together they will
provide skin with a level of nourishing care that will protect and replenish it
throughout the years.
In addition, a good skin care practice for the body should
not be neglected. As previously mentioned, a grimy layer of oil, dirt, dust and
pollution can easily form on the surface of unclean skin, leading to outbreaks
of blemishes on the chest, back, neck and arms as well as attract pathogens,
which cause body odour and other infections. Pevonia’s all-natural Mystique
Escape Bath Salts contain zinc, magnesium and calcium while the Anti-Stress
Bath & Shower Gel is rich in chamomile, essential oils and calendula to
infuse skin with softening, replenishing and relaxing ingredients. Exfoliation
sloughs away dead skin cells, dirt and built-up toxins while increasing
circulation to reveal fresher, cleaner, softer skin; look for an exfoliator
containing spherical jojoba beads as these won’t scratch or leave tiny cuts on
the skin, which some exfoliators are guilty of doing. Moisturising after
exfoliation provides the skin with nourishment, hydration and protection
against the elements. It additionally works to become softer rough areas of
particular concern such as elbows, knees, hands and feet. Professional body
treatments will increase the effectiveness of an at-home body care regime and
an expert therapist will be able to advise on a apposite course depending on
body condition, concerns, goal and existence factors.
