The skin is the outer covering of the body, it  has multiple layers of tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.

It has pigmentation or melanin, which absorbs some of the potentially dangerous UV in sunlight.

The skin also contains DNA-repair enzymes that help reverse UV damage. People who lack the genes for these enzymes suffer high rates of skin cancer.

Functions of the Skin

1. The skin serves as protection from pathogens and damages between the internal and external environment in bodily defense.
2. Sensation of temperature, touch, pressure, vibration and tissue injury
3. Regulation of body heat
4. Control of evaporation (fluid loss) from the body. (loss of this function contributes to the massive fluid loss in burns).
5. Aesthetics and communication; others see our skin and can assess our mood, physical state and attractiveness.
6. Storage for lipids and water in the body and synthesis of vitamin D on the skin
7. For the excretion of urea through sweat.
8. Absorption of medicines administered through the skin (creams, ointments, adhesive patch).
9. The skin acts as a water resistance barrier so essential nutrients aren’t washed out of the body.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN

To get the optimum glow from your skin

• Know your skin type; Oily, Dry, Normal, Combination, Sensitive or sun damaged and Use products that are based on your skin type. They are specially made to deal with your skin’s different nature. Using products suited for other skin types may unbalance your own skin type, so it is best to avoid them.
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats.
• Don’t smoke.
• Eat healthy: A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

• Wash your skin thoroughly every day and never wear makeup to bed.
• Make sure you drink a lot of water so your skin won’t look dry.

• You may be able to improve your skin by taking care of your body such as with good hygiene, nutrition and exercise. Practice good hygiene such as taking showers with mild soap to reduce microbe count on skin. Occasionally use a strong bar soap strong enough to get rid of most microbes and rinse off soap well.
• Exercise regularly; such as walking to reduce cellulite and improve muscle tone.
• Clean your cell phone and any other device that may come in contact with your skin. Avoid touching your skin with high force or avoid scratching your skin as much as possible.
• If your skin gets a little stressed though e.g. due to plenty of sun, try Aloe Vera Gel with at least 90% pure aloe barbadensis leaf juice in it. Aloe vera is known for healing properties and can do wonders for the skin.
• Vitamins are essential for healthy skin, especially vitamins A, B and C. Vitamin E helps to improve the complexion when applied externally.
• Always use moisturizer on areas of your skin prone to drying out easily (legs, hands, knees etc). Use homemade masks to moisturize your skin. They’re easy to make, and they really work! For instance, a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white is very helpful for oily skin and honey promotes the healing of ulcers and burns. Fresh herbs grounded into a paste and applied to problem skin may also help reduce skin problems.
• Never pick at a blemish. Many poor results come of picking at breakouts, such as scarring, infection, or permanent enlargement of the pore. You are also more likely to get another breakout in the same place over time.
• If you’re sunburned, apply some plain yogurt mixed with aloe vera gel on your skin. That will smooth the irritated skin.
• Lemon juice works well for reducing scars and making them lighter.

              Our face is delicate and should be treated as such;

• Washing your face with a mixture of brown sugar and a few drops of milk (enough to form a mud-like consistency) washes away dirt and excess oil, leaving your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. This scrub can be left on your face for as long as you like.
• Wash your pillowcase often and avoid wearing hair products to bed. The combination of hair products and facial oils on the pillowcase can cause blemishes.
• Avoid stretching or pulling on the delicate skin near your eyes when putting on creams or cosmetics. This delicate area shows age markings like wrinkles much sooner than it should when subjected to too much rough handling.
• Wash all cosmetics off as soon as you know you will not be going out again and avoid wearing cosmetics whenever possible to give your skin a rest.
• Carefully choose your facial scrub to match your pore size. The type and size of the grains in the face scrub can actually make the difference between exfoliated and irritated skin. Larger grains are more abrasive while tinier beads are more gentle on the skin.
• Never coat your entire face in foundation. Chances are, you only need a little bit in areas you are most self-conscious in.
• Change the applicators and clean the brushes you use to apply make-up on a consistent basis. Bacteria and oils can build up in these places and then be spread back on the skin each time make-up is applied.
• Oil blotting sheets can help absorb oil through the day so you are not tempted to re-apply powder or foundation, or over wash your face.
• If you have cystic acne, TOMS natural toothpaste is a great treatment. Apply on your cystic acne before you go to bed every night, and you will see a huge difference when you wake up. Keep using it.

• Washing your face with mild soap during the day cleans your skin from the dirt that causes black heads and pimples, although washing a lot may cause dryness. Note that you should visit a dermatologist to check your face if mild soap can be applicable to your skin

REFERENCES

1. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-care/SN00003
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skin
3. http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/basicskincare.htm
4. http://www.webmd.com/beauty/face/whats-your-skin-type
5. http://www.wikihow.com/Know-Skin-Types
6. http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Your-Skin
7. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-care/SN00003/NSECTIONGROUP=2

  MEGACARE…… A HEALTHIER YOU