Understanding THE SKIN

The skin is an organ of the body, as surely as the heart, liver or lungs; in fact, it is the largest organ of the body. It functions, works and produces. It excretes oil and sweat. It absorbs, throws off waste and breathes. It protects the body from the elements of the environment to a certain degree and regulates the body's temperature.

The skin varies in thickness, being thinner on the eyelids and thicker on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Every bit of the skin is marked with lines, furrows and folds. (This is true not only of the outer covering, the epidermis, but of the other layers as well). The visible lines on the surface are caused by the types of movements of the skin and the number of times this movement is repeated by that part of the body. Motion of expression such as speech, smiling and frowning produces lines or folds in the elastic nature of younger skin. However, with increasing age, the skin loses its suppleness. The lines deepen and the folds or wrinkles grow thicker where the skin has been stretched; thus, it forms pouches of skin and wrinkles.

The skin is composed of many layers. The epidermis contains five lavers; the dermis two lavers. The epidermis are the outer layers of the skin - "Epi" meaning "upon"; "Dermis" meaning "true skin". It is composed of three layers of living cells and two outer layers of hard, dead cells (cornified). These five layers are shed and replaced constantly, receiving service and life from the semi-dense connective tissue below it - the dermis. The epidermis is the area where the action of skin care products takes place.

The skin reproduces itself and generates this new growth from the deep fifth layer of the epidermis. Skin cells are shed as they move in maturity from the germination stage to the outer, hard, cornified stage. We see this in action when the skin heals itself after a minor abrasion or cut.

The dermis, which also contains the blood supply to the skin, is responsible for feeding the fifth layer of the epidermis with essential nutrients needed for the germination and reproduction of new skin cells. It plays a vital role in serving the skin's needs and encouraging the growth of the new skin cells.

A Healthy Complexion

A healthy complexion is slightly moist, flexible and possesses a slightly acid reaction, free from eruptions or disease. It shows itself in the fine texture and healthy colour of the skin. A healthy complexion is brought about through both correct and continual skin care and enhanced by proper nutrition.Slim, firm contours and smooth skin result from a healthy lifestyle and daily care with specific, high performance skin care products. As a Grace Consultant, you have access to the most intensive and prestigious skin care range to take you to a new standard in healthy skin - Grace Cosmetics.