Skincare Basics: how the Skin works

Good morning everyone!

I’m back with the FIRST SKINCARE BASICS post!

Today is the right time to share with all of my readers what I have learned at a Beauty Skincare workshop last weekend and my first personal Beauty workshop hosted this past Monday.

On this post, I would like to focus on sharing the most essential part of the Beauty workshop: 

how the Skin works

Not only Beauty or Skin experts should understand how our skin works but also I believe that everyone should.

Our skin has three layers.

Photo source: http://www.umm.edu/imagepages/8912.htm

Hypodermis is the deepest layer, closest to our bones. It contains a large layer of fat, blood vessels and nerves than those found in the dermis layer.

Dermis is the thickest middle layer that contains collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are proteins that give skin structure, strength and flexibility. As we get older or exposed to too much Sun, the production of elastin and collagen will reduce. Signs of aging can be loss of firmness or more obvious wrinkles.

In this layer, there are also hair follicles, nerves, blood vessels and sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that travels around the hair shaft to reach the top layer of the skin. This oily substance would cover the epidermis layer and gives a protective barrier against moisture loss. When there is an excess sebum production covering the top layer, it leads to oily skin and acne.

Unfortunately, this protective barrier can be easily removed by various factors: cleansers that can be too abrasive and fragranced, environmental pollution and poor diet. So it must be taken care through external skincare products.

Epidermis is the top layer or surface layer. This layer is very thin compared to the other two layers. But it is the strongest among them.

It gives immediate, visual signs to the condition and health of the skin. Epidermis can also be divided into 2 layers.  But I’m not going to go into too much detail.  You may want to know where the living cells are created. They are born at the lowest layer of the Epidermis that is nearest to the Dermis layer. But by the time the cells reach to the surface layer, they are already considered dead. The cells become smaller and flatter as they lack of oxygen and moisture loss. They are left on the surface layer called Stratum Comeum and younger cells pushed up from below replace dead cells.

In the diagram below:

There are blood vessels in the hypodermis and dermis layer. 

Blood vessels have a vital role for our skin. They provide nutrition and oxygen to our skin cells.

During our young age, the cells in Dermis and Epidermis layers are very close to each other. This help providing the nutrition and oxygen. But as we get older, the cells are more scattered and inactive. They are unable to provide what it is needed to extend elasticity and collagen. Thus, this leads to aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

Photo source: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin_disorders/biology_of_the_skin/structure_and_function_of_the_skin.html

!FUN FACTS!

Did you know that the thickness of our 3 skin layers is equal to 10 A4 pages? 

Did you know that the thinnest skin layer of our face is the eye socket?

Before we get through the 5 common skin types listing, try the Self-Analysis first. Then you can have a look of the list to see which one is YOUR skin type :)

Self-Analysis

1.     How does our skin feel after you wash it using a cleanser?

a.     Tightness can indicate dry skin

2.     How does your face look during the day?

a.     Sign of shine all over the face indicate oily skin

b.     Sign of shine in some areas indicate combination skin

3.     Lifestyle factors:

a.     Do you smoke?

b.     How much sun exposure are you exposed to in a day?

c.      How much pollution exposure are you exposed to in a day?

Now, let me briefly give you the 5 skin types:

Normal

·      Comfortable-feeling

·      Smooth

·      Small pores

·      May experience some shine

Dry

·      Foreheads, eye area and cheeks

·      Tight-feeling after washing

·      Small pores

·      Shows fine lines faster than other skin type

Oily

·      Shows shine on the T-Zone (forehead, nose, chin)

·      Large, visible pores

·      Frequent breakouts

·      Shows few signs of aging

Combination

·      Oily on the T-zone

·      Dry on cheeks

·      Larger pores on forehead, nose and chin

Sensitive

·      From dry to oily

·      Easily allergic to cosmetics, moisturizers and cleansers

·      May experience some redness

·      Itchy

If you are not sure about which skin type you are, I would like to invite you to my SECOND beauty workshop held on Sunday, August 26^th, 2012 at The Park Chidlom condominium from 1-4pm. 

BOOK YOUR SEAT NOW! 

This past Monday, my first Beauty workshop, was a BLAST! My team and I had so much fun in sharing everything we know about skin and taught them how to look professional when going for work.

All guests who came to our workshop had a lot of fun during the skincare and cosmetics trial session and, they enjoyed listening to our Beauty experts. Even I learned new things! Unfortunately photos cannot be posted online due to no advertising purpose from the brand. Sorry :(

I hope this post has helped you in understanding your skin more and see you on my next post! 

If you have any questions, feel free to leave it in the comments below or on my Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/rosiedolly

Follow me!

Twitter: @rosiedolly314

Instagram: rosiedolly

Love,

Rosie

SKINCARE BASICS INTRODUCTION

Every individual has his/her skin type from one another. Just like every one who has his/her own body shape, weight, height or skin color. Some people may have dry skin, oily skin or sensitive skin, or others may have acne. All of these common skin problems are caused by several factors but in the end, all skin types are mainly produced by two core reasons: diet and exercise. You just need to find the right combination for your own skin and body.

You should also start gaining knowledge, understanding how your skin works and which product works best for you. It’s never too late to start understanding your skin and body. 

Nobody knows your body better than yourself!

You just need a little bit of guidance to take the right path to better and healthy skin.

This is why this month I will dedicate myself in writing these Skincare basics entries to all my readers who have skin care problems, especially acne issues. 

There are the basics steps that every skin experts, doctors or makeup gurus would advise you to do. It’s just that some people tend to realize it later. But it’s okay, it’s never too late to treat them now!  

Not only that, I will be guiding you how to use products correctly and how to take care of your body in terms of diet.

Please note that I am no expert in this area but I have had acne problems since the age of 13.

Let me briefly tell you my little acne journey.

I have tried quite a lot of brands from drugstores to high-end brands for ten years. Some brands have worked in the short run and never turned better in the long run but some made it worse. I also have gone to dermatologists who would treat and extract my acne every week. But extractions have left scars mainly on my cheek areas. But there is one thing in my entire acne journey I have never tried was laser treatment for acne scars or known as Laser Skin Resurfacing. Let me take my aunt’s case. She was the one who tutored me during my high school time. Every week, she would come teach me with this huge summer straw hat on her head to cover her face. Her face was swollen and all red. I was disgusted. Since then, I never thought to ever try the Laser Skin Resurfacing treatment.

I’m still in the process of finding the right skincare regimen to better and healthy skin. For the past month, I have been away from blogging because I was introduced to this brand from my brother. I have been using it for a month now. I see positive results every day. Soon enough, you will know the brand! 

It’s just a matter of time and patience.

First off, you need to gain knowledge, understand the basics and apply them to your own case.

Why am I not telling you the brand now? This is because I believe that skincare products only do the small part of the job in the process of better and healthy skin. There are other greater factors that need to be added in the equation in order to reach your better and healthy skin. But let me share the obvious and common outcomes that are likely to happen from the readers/ consumers when the “experts” or “bloggers” mention or review a particular brand or product.

1.     The reader/consumer would instantly decide to buy the product mentioned for trial

2.     The reader/ consumer might look for alternatives that is closest to the one mentioned

3.     The reader/ consumer might just back off

For case #1 and #2, the reader/ consumer is likely to be “wasting” their money and is likely to regret the purchase.

This little introduction is to help prepare your mind for what will come this month in this blog. I’m very excited to share my knowledge and dedication in this area because I care for you and every one else who visit this blog for the first time.

To understand and take care of your skin and body is the first step to better and healthy skin. 

I don’t use the word “perfect” skin because I believe that nobody has the perfect skin. Every individual, even celebrities or super models or YOUR friends, doesn’t have perfect skin. Some people’s skin problem may not be seen as clearly as others.

This month of August is going to be a very exciting month! There will be a lot of things going on this month such as BEAUTY WORKSHOPS with me personally! And look forward to the first SKINCARE BASICS post soon!

SPREAD THE WORDS 

to your friends, family, colleagues, anyone!!!!

Don’t forget also to follow my blog if you have Gmail account!

Feel free to throw me questions to:

Official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/rosiedolly

Twitter: @rosiedolly314

Instagram: @rosiedolly

DISCLAIMER: For future SKINCARE BASICS posts, I’m not paid to write them. I bought all products, personally unless stated. 

See you soon!

Love,

Rosie