With so many skin care products available, it is important that you understand the nature and function of your skin first. You will better realize the relationship between different ingredients and your skin to achieve better glow, tone and moisture. There are many factors that can cause poor skin condition so these should be avoided. Natural is the way to go since chemicals can be damaging for the long term.

Getting to Know Your Skin

Your skin is the largest organ in your body which serves a variety of functions such as maintaining proper temperature, storing, absorbing and excreting water and other materials, protecting from external heat, injury and infection and covering the internal systems and parts.

The best skin care products should focus on the 3 main layers of the skin namely the epidermis or top layer, the dermis or middle layer which Skincare to reduce pores contains a blood vessel network, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, etc. and the hypodermis which is the base fatty layer which contains sweat glands and fat.

Skin, hair and nails actually have the same nutritional requirements for health and react to imbalance and deficiency in the same ways. Individuals can detect poor skin condition by identifying signs such as dull, dry, oily, blemished, scaly, inflamed or infected skin. These can be the result of genetic predisposition, environmental elements, chemical imbalance, hormonal change, disease and drug side effect.

Common Skin Problems

Skin is prone to damage and disease just like any other organ in the body. Skin care products should aim to improve the condition by targeting the root cause. In most cases, hormonal, environmental and chemical factors are the likely causes of skin problems. Restoring the imbalances will minimize and alleviate signs and symptoms leading to healthier and better-looking skin.

Acne or acne vulgaris is a disorder of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles characterized by pimples, blackheads, infected abscesses and cysts. If not treated, these can lead to potholes and scars. Boils result from inflamed hair follicles that have been infected and filled with dead tissue.

Bacteria deeply infect the skin leading to symptoms like pain, swelling, redness and presence of pus. Bruises most commonly comes from trauma wherein the capillaries are damaged then bleed into surrounding tissues. These appear blue or purple if bleeding is extensive and brown or yellow if minor. Cellulitis occurs when skin is cut, wounded, broken or cracked resulting to inflamed connective tissue.

Eczema is usually related to immune system problems with symptoms like itching, scaling and blisters. Psoriasis usually affects the elbows, knees, scalp and trunk. It is a long-term condition with symptoms like redness, raised skin, scaling and spotty appearance. Skin cancer is a serious condition wherein abnormal skin cells proliferate and kill normal ones.

Most patients acquire it from severe sun exposure. Skin tags or benign tumors appearing either smooth or irregular in skin creases like the groin and armpits. Stretchmarks are characterized by white, red or purple lines and results from abnormal collagen production. Warts are contagious and viral caused by HPV or human papilloma virus. Wrinkles are highly associated with the aging process where the dermis loses elastin and collagen.