Your skin is a complex organ that is very precious, it’s like a mirror, what goes on inside your body will be reflected on the outside. Every element of this course aims to tackle a portion of the need to look after your skin, your thoughts have an impact on your skin, diet, exercise, and sleep have an impact on your skin, your triggers, supplements and the products you use on your skin have an impact on your skin, they either be for the betterment or the detriment of your skin.
The first thing people see when they meet you is your skin, the first thing that you hide when your eczema flares up is your skin. The condition of your skin can shatter your confidence, make you break down in tears, can turn your whole world upside down. Your skin is worth doing whatever it takes to look after it because it’s with you for life.
THE SKIN’S STRUCTURE
Your skin provides a strong, effective barrier that protects the body from infection or irritation. It is made up of a thin, elastic outer layer called the epidermis that is continually being regenerated. The middle layer is called the dermis which contains the sweat glands and hair follicles. And finally, the subcutaneous layer which is made up of tissue. Each layer contains skin cells, water, and fats, combined they help maintain and protect the condition of the skin.
Healthy skin cells are plumped up with water which forms a protective barrier against damage and infection. Fats and oils in the skin help retain moisture, body temperature, and also prevent harmful substances or bacteria from entering the body.
A good way of looking at how the skin should work is by thinking of it as a brick wall. The outer skin cells are the bricks, while fats and oils act as the mortar that keeps everything together and acts as a seal. The skin cells attract and keep water inside, and the fats and oils also help keep the water in.
WHY YOUR SKIN BEHAVES THE WAY IT DOES
The main issue with your skin is the skin barrier, it doesn’t retain enough water, and it and it doesn’t produce enough fats and oils that protect the skin. Because the skin barrier doesn’t retain enough water gaps open up between the skin cells, which allows irritants to pass through the skin easily. Some of the everyday products you may use like soap can strip the skin of much-needed moisture, which means the skin becomes dry and can become cracked, which results in irritants passing through the skin barrier and the skin becoming irritated, which can cause an immune system reaction.
A FEW COMMON SKIN IRRITANTS
Some people may be surprised but the things that we are in contact with every day that is meant to protect us from harm are potentially the very things that are causing us the most problems when it comes to skin care. These things are in your bathroom, kitchen and other places in the home:
- Skin care products such as soap, deodorants, skin creams, make-up, shower gel, perfume, and aftershave. These products tend to contain alcohol, chemicals, and metals such as Aluminium, Sodium laurel sulfate, and Glycolic acid.
- Household irritants such as washing up liquid, surface cleaner, toilet cleaner bleach, and oven cleaner. These products contain chemicals such as Hydrochloric acid, Petroleum distillates, Ammonia, and Ammonium hydroxide.
- Food allergies are a big one for skin irritation, as discussed earlier in the Triggers information sheet, contact a health professional for an IgG food sensitivity test, and an IgE food allergy test so you know which foods to stay clear of.
- Cosmetic jewelry is known for skin irritation due to being made from a metal called Nickel. Items including rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces can be a major problem for people, try to use other alternatives where possible.
With anything you purchase for skin care or household cleaning products, you must either protect yourself from skin contact, read the labels on these products so you know what type of chemicals they contain that may cause an issue for you, and where possible switch to more natural products as a means of protecting your skin.