Skin Care

By Dawyn Cloud-Alter

Believe it or not our skin is considered to be a very important organ yet other than the face the rest of our skin often gets ignored. The skin itself has many purposes:

1. The skin protect our vital organs and tissues.
2. It protects us from the loss of fluids from our bodies, and keeps out many forms of bacteria.
3. Our skin is full of nerve endings. If you have ever received a burn, then rest assured your nerve endings were working correctly. These nerve endings send messages to
your brain letting you know oh ouch.
4. Sweat Glands

Yes this is part of your skin. The human bodies consist of millions of sweat glands. It has been estimated that we excrete about one pint per day. However, when you exercise such as cardiovascular activity you can excrete as much as 8 pints of liquid. These liquids consist of water, and waste. As funky as sweating may be, it is a healthy human function. You notice after exercise how good you feel, but how great your skin looks. The pores open and the toxins and waste are released.

SKIN CARE TIPS:
Listed below you will find some basic skin care tips. Taking the extra few moments each day, will be well worth it. You will feel and see the results. This is one of the best things you can do for your skin.

1. Purchase a good skin/back brush. Be sure to purchase one that does not have bristles made of
nylon or plastic, then, 

BEFORE ENTERING THE SHOWER OR BATH:
Starting at the bottom of your feet scrub in a circular motion. Going up the front side of the leg, then hands arms etc, then do the back part of the leg and so on. Repeat on both sides of the body. Repeat this all over your body. Your skin is happy now. This process exfoliates (removes dead skin cells), and provides circulation to the skin and everything else underneath it. Then shower or bathe as usual.

2. Always use a fresh wash cloth on your face and body or you increase the risk of introducing bacteria to your skin.
3. Try not to use a wash cloth that has color to it.. Remember what you put on your skin enters it. It is a living organism.
4. Soap: Never use soap on your face, or commercial soap on the body. Most soap have a high lye/lard content. Most commercial soaps also use alcohol. Alcohol is very drying to the skin.
5. Moisturized right afterward. As we get older are bodies produce less oil so women may experience drier skin. I know that this has been true for me.
6. Remember when taking off makeup or just washing your face, the area underneath the eyes and the lips are very sensitive. Never pull or rub in the opposite direction. Read labels carefully.