The skin is the largest organ of the human body and should accordingly take an important role in body care. At the latest in advanced age it becomes apparent to what extent it has been cared for and protected. As a very sensitive part of the human organism, it can not only be stressed, but also tend to irritation again and again.
What is skin care?
In order to take proper care of the skin, it is not only important to learn about different skin care products and options, but also to adapt them to your own skin. Therefore, it is important to pay regular attention to the skin and include it in the care. As part of body care, skin care in the broadest sense refers to cleansing and protecting the skin from external influences. This includes protection from the sun and UV radiation. Maintaining the health of the skin is the first step in improving overall well-being. In order to care for it appropriately, it is not only important to learn about different skin care products and options, but also to adapt them to your own skin. Different skin types require different types of care. Human skin consists of several skin layers, which in turn are covered by a thin layer of sebum and water. The natural acid mantle protects the skin from external influences. Its pH value is between 4 and 6, and it is also responsible for the formation of skin-protecting bacteria. The skin type is sometimes determined by the elasticity of the skin. If it receives too little moisture, it becomes brittle, cracked and tends to flake. Dry skin is more prone to inflammation and can cause discomfort. If the skin is healthy, it naturally balances the skin moisture. However, if this is not the case, external support is needed to prevent or alleviate disease and discomfort.
Function, effect and goals
So the function of using skin care products is to compensate for deficiencies. Skin care compensates for problems of the skin and helps to improve general well-being. Skin problems usually result from poor diet, insufficient fluid intake and environmental factors. Dry heating air, strong summer heat or even long periods of cold can have a strong influence on the skin and damage it. Long periods of sunlight in particular cause the skin to age more quickly. Sunburns and sun allergy can be the result. Hot hairdryer air also damages the scalp and can cause itching and dandruff, among other things. In industrialized countries, the human skin is also exposed to a wide variety of toxins. Added to this is stress-induced tightening and itching. All too many factors form risk factors for skin damage. Therefore, skin care forms an important part of body protection. It helps the body to maintain its own protection, can moisturize and degrease. Numerous skin care products are available on the market to rebalance dry or oily skin. But even healthy skin is exposed to pollutants every day, which is why experts advise supportive care. Creams, tinctures and lotions, for example, provide enrichment for the skin and help to keep it healthy. But that’s not all: aging processes, for example, can be slowed down by appropriate preparations. In addition, care products that combat cellulite and wrinkles can be found in drugstores. Face masks, peelings and daily care products combat impure skin or bring relaxation. The skin can also be stressed by everyday life. Each area of the body requires its own type of care. Thus, different preparations can be found for the scalp than for the mucous membranes and the intimate area. With the large number of care products available, it therefore always makes sense to consult experts and get advice. What is good for one skin type can trigger additional complaints in others and make the problems worse. In addition, over-motivated people in particular tend to over-care for their skin quickly, which can also be harmful. In addition to ointments, lotions, creams, soaps and other skin care products, exercise, adequate sleep and a healthy diet also play a role. Often, blemished skin is due to deficiency symptoms and excessive intake of fast food or stimulants. Human skin is extremely sensitive to fats and sugar. Therefore, doctors advise tea and water consumption rather than coffee and soft drinks.Stress reduction and consciously introduced rest periods can have an additional positive effect on the skin.
Special features
The right amount determines how effective skin care can be. The wrong care or excessive use of care products can cause complaints such as scaly or oily skin. This is especially prevalent in the scalp area. Incorrect shampoos, daily hair washing and styling products damage the scalp more than they help it. Similar negative effects are caused by harsh soaps or shower gels. Too frequent washing damages the acid mantle of the skin and attacks the skin’s own bacteria. They play an important role in healthy skin flora. If the bacteria are destroyed, harmful organisms penetrate the skin more quickly and trigger diseases such as eczema or psoriasis. Fungal infections are also often the cause of over-stressed skin. It is therefore important to take a closer look at skin care products. In principle, they should have a skin-neutral pH value so as not to attack the acid mantle. Washing too often irritates the skin, as do the wrong care products. The situation is similar with ointments prescribed for skin diseases. Here, the package insert or doctor’s prescription should always be followed so as not to irritate the skin unnecessarily. In addition, the protection factor of sunscreen products should also be taken into account. Very fair-skinned skin types, for example, a low sun protection factor will offer little protection.
