What is Healthy Skin?
Healthy, clear skin is arguably the most sought after physical trait in today’s times. Healthy skin is supple, radiant and soft to the touch and seems to ‘glow’. Best of all – healthy skin can make one look years younger!
The skin is flexible, waterproof and covers the entire outside of the body. It performs several important roles such as a sensory mechanism for feeling sensations such as heat, cold, as well as socio-sexual and emotional sensations. It regulates body temperature and prevents tissue fluid loss from the body. Fluid loss in the skin leads to dry skin and a wrinkled appearance.
The skin is made up of three layers – the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the thin outermost layer of the skin that serves as a waterproof barrier to the environment. Under the epidermis is a thicker layer of skin called the dermis that contains collagen and elastin to keep the skin firm and flexible and give it a supple appearance.
Deeper in the dermis are sweat glands that connect to the surface of the skin through narrow, spiral-shaped sweat ducts – these are called the pores of the skin. The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum that moisturizes the skin (keeping it soft). The subcutaneous layer, also referred to as the subcutis, is a layer of fat and connective tissue that consists of larger blood vessels and nerves.
This layer regulates the temperature of the skin itself and the body while protecting other organs from injury by acting as a ‘shock absorber’. For many years people have made use of synthetic ingredients and chemicals in skincare and cosmetics. Nowadays, people are becoming more proactive about their health and there is an increasing demand for pure, natural products for skincare and cosmetics.
