Caring for your skin!
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Our skin reflects our general health and well-being.
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It’s not only the largest organ in
our body but it is also porous. To demonstrate this rub a clove of garlic on
your sole and within minutes you will taste garlic in your mouth. Skin absorbs whatever it comes in contact
with for both good and bad.
The following is
information designed to assist you in making informed decisions when next you
purchase skin care products and ultimately in the care of your skin.
Cleansing your skin! (Step 1) - Whether you use
a liquid or hard bar, all soaps are made from fats/oils. These can range from
petroleum, animal or vegetable oils and they all have a different effect on the
skin. Synthetic surfactants, foaming
agents, colours and synthetic fragrances are widely used in skincare products
and can cause conditions ranging from mild skin irritations to cancer. Non soap products are made of synthetic
material. The first step in skin care is
to know what the ingredients are that make up your cleansing material.
If you suffer
from eczema, psoriasis or are just concerned about what you use on your skin
choose a soap that is made from olive oil. Olive oil soap, known as castile soap, has been
around for over 1000 years. Originally the preserve of Royalty and those that
could afford it, is the mildest soap suitable for the most sensitive skin. Olive oil soap has a unique property in that
it cleans and moisturizes without aggravating the skin. Soaps made of other
oils and fats can be drying, irritating and if synthetic additives are used can
be damaging.
Most people
like their cleansing agent to have a scent, unfortunately most scents are just
synthetic fragrances. Materials used in the formulation of fragrances are a
closely held secret by skin care manufacturers. What is known is that a number of commonly
used fragrances cause conditions ranging from migraine to cancer. If you like a scent in your skin care products
choose one with a 'natural essential oil' that is also known to be beneficial for
the skin.
A very important step
in skin care, is to 'read the ingredient list', remember what your skin comes in
contact with is absorbed into your body!
Moisturise Your
Skin (Step 2) - The skin needs to be both moisturised and nourished. The
best moisturising benefits or hydration come from a combination of emollients -
ingredients that help prevent water loss, that soften and soothe the skin; and
humectants - ingredients that attract water molecules to help keep the skin
soft and supple.
Many people suffer from dry skin,
the causes may be varied, for example air pollution, climatic conditions, salt
and chlorinated waters, and also those with dry skin from birth. As we
age our skin tends to be dryer due to the loss of oil glands that help keep the
skin soft.
The winter months are notorious
for causing dry skin problems. All skins are different and those with
problem skin will benefit from a good regime of moisturising their skin each
day.
There are
many commercial moisturises on the market, even if you choose one that is all
natural it may not be suitable for you. For example, aloe vera is
renowned for its healing properties, yet there are those who have an allergy to
it. Finding the best moisturiser for you is like manna from heaven,
remember to read the ingredients, ensure they are natural and if they work for
you, stay with it.
Nourishing your skin (Step 3) - Step three in skin care is to keep the skin nourished and moist. Whether it is due to external factors such as air pollution, climatic conditions, exposure to salt/chlorinated water or we just have dry skin from birth we need to moisturize and nourish our skin. The wellbeing of our skin depends on diet but a lot also depends on what we apply to it directly.
Many people with sensitive skin suffer from very dry skin during the winter months. The skin irritant during this time can be very painful. Finding the right moisturizer during winter is vital to feeling comfortable and to skin health.
There are many commercial skin treatments available but with a little trial and error, finding the best treatment for dry winter skin is like manna from heaven. The best approach is to review ingredients, ensure they are natural, and if they work for you, stay with it. A mature skin will need extra care, especially those who have grown up in the drying, damaging Australian climate.
To take care of your face, use a very moisturizing and nourishing natural cream that penetrates your skin. Applied at night to allow the natural cream to penetrate. For day use a light natural cream can be applied to the face which allows make up to be applied on top.
A light lotion can be used for hands arms legs whenever dryness sets in. However you choose to moisturize and nourish your skin ensure that the ingredients are natural.
Diet Step (Step 4) - For those who have grown up in the Sydney area, may remember the painted sign on a building that said “We are what we eat”. This is step four in skin care - your diet. Drinking, smoking and eating too much acidic foods have a detrimental effect on the skin. The choices you make in relation to your diet determine the health of your skin.
Vitamin supplements are helpful but a natural supplement is the best. Hemp seed oil contains all the 20 amino acids including 9 that the body is unable to produce but necessary for health. In terms of vitamins it has A, B1, B2, B3, B6, D, E as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and zinc. Truly, a remarkable oil. Taken internally, the benefits to the skin are noticeable in a short time.
What to avoid in skin care ingredients (Step 5) - The fifth step in skin care is knowing what to avoid. A lot of skin care products contain harmful ingredients which cause a wide range of conditions ranging from skin irritation to cancer.
The top nine ingredients to avoid in skin care products are:
Parabens
Synthetic colours
Fragrance
Phthalates
Triclosen
Sodium Laurel Sulphate
Sodium Laureth Sulphate
Formaldehyde
Propylene
Step five in skincare is up to you, making informed choices when next you choose your skin care products.
OR Natural
We are dedicated to create a range of handmade skin care products that contain natural ingredients that clean, moisturise and nourish as nature has intended. Check us out at www.ornatural.com.au, it could be your first step in your skin care.
"OR Natural" Skin Care Solutions. Laguna, NSW Australia 2325.
