0 Demystifying Skin Products

The quest for younger looking skin has plagued women the World over for centuries. Many cultures have developed their own skin care products using materials available to them. The Himba of Namibia use red clay to keep their skin moisturized and their skin glows with health and beauty.

Himba Woman

In the 20th Century (and now the 21st) the beauty industry has exploited this search by creating an endless line of products that line both sides of an aisle in pharmacies and other superstores like Walmart.

Cosmetic Aisle in a superstore.

I know I've struggled to understand what products are best and which to use where and just how much and how often. Many times I have ended up looking like a teenager in the throes of puberty because I used something I shouldn't have.

After some research, it was interesting to discover some of the things I had probably taken for granted.

Skin products typically use 3 different substances. Humectants, Occlusive Agents and Emollients. To understand how these substances work on our skin, refer to the cross section of the skin below.

Cross section of human skin

Humectants are hydroscopic substances, which means it attracts water. If you use a humectant on your skin it will attract water either from the atmosphere or from the DERMIS of your skin.

Occlusive agents are hydrophobic substances, which means they don't allow water to pass through them. If you use an occlusive agent on your skin, it will stop water from coming into your skin from the airand will stop your skin from losing water to the air.

Emollients improve the appearance of the skin by flattening raised skin cells (which give that ashy look).

To find out what purpose the different substances in your skin care products perform, click here.

It is important to remember that healthy skin starts with a healthy diet. Skin care products should be used only to enhance the regimen you already have. Help your skin maintain its moisture by drinking lots of water, eating tons of vegetables and lots of fruits. 

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0 Celebration Saturdays: The Quest for Perfect Skin

The quest for beautiful skin can be as elusive as the quest for the Holy Grail. Unlike Indiana Jones, I'm not one to go seeking solutions in hot deserts or have an unlimited cache of money set to achieve that goal alone. Sometimes I gotta eat too!

Searching the internet for products that cater specially to black skin is cumbersome, and although there are many companies and businesses out there that promise the goodness we all expect, how do we sort out the chaff from the wheat? Frankly I've given up on popular cosmetics on the shelf, but one thing I have learned from people with beautiful skin, simpler is better.

Here are a few things to remember:

1. Don't let your skin dry out. No matter what the season or the weather, excessive dryness is the quickest way to wrinkles and skin troubles. The cells of our bodies are turbid (or taut) when they are full of water. You CANNOT get water from a little bottle on the shelf! Drink LOTS of water and splash your face with water at least three times a day. Seal in the moisture with a good moisturizer (note again, they cannot ad water to your skin, just protect it from drying out) before applying your makeup.
2. Allow your skin to breathe. Our skin has lots of tiny little pores all over it. Sometimes the makeup we use clogs up the pores preventing the skin from "breathing". 
3. Remember the popular adage, you are what you eat? Vitamin E, biotin and folic acid are the skin miracle drugs. Don't believe labels of cosmetics that claim to have vitamin E in it. It cannot be absorbed by the skin. Instead INGEST these food groups. Nuts and dark leafy greens are your best bet for getting these nutrients into your body and all the way to your skin.
4. Keep your hands off your face and make sure you wash them whenever you can. We pick up germs from the most benign places. Door handles, elevator buttons, computer keyboards, shaking hands, picking up products in the store. All these germs get deposited on your skin with one touch. If you keep hand sanitizer and a hand moisturizer in your purse, you will be able to decrease what germs get to your face.
5. Finally, take some time to relax. Take a day off from your daily rigorous routine and listen to your favorite tunes, watch your favorite TV programs or have a girls day in and pamper yourselves. Stress can cause breakouts!

Enjoy your Saturday!

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