Types of Skin

Before any skin care regimen can be established, each of us has to first determine our skin type. Each individual has a specific skin type which would help in determining the everyday beauty regimen. Personally, I find this to be very important in maintaining naturally healthy skin. The different skin types are classified based on: moisture, oil and sensitivity. Here are the common skin types, which may apply to both men and women.

• Oily Skin Type

This skin type is characterized by enlarged pores, shiny skin on certain portions of the face and blemishes. The upside of this skin type is it ages gracefully which means that there are less wrinkles and the skin is suppler. The downside is that it is prone to outbreaks since oil traps dirt quite easily so pimples and blemishes are the norm.

The reason for oily skin varies but a few factors such as stress, hormones, genetics and the environment play certain roles in having this skin type.

• Dry Skin Type

This skin type is identified due to a flaky texture of skin. When looking closely enough the pores on a dry skin type is very small and there are certain red patches that may be attributed to the peeling of the skin. It will also be noticeable that the skin has more visible wrinkles and often feels tight after cleansing.

Aggravating factors for this skin type is attributed to hormones, environment, sun exposure, chemicals in certain cleansing and beautifying agents and medications.

• Normal Skin Type

This skin type is the most ideal of all. A normal skin type is often observed to have fine pores, few blemishes and radiant. The oil production is low and the overall health of the skin is very good. Even with low maintenance, this skin type will often look good and with age will continue to look good when given proper care.

• Combination Skin Type

The combination skin type has both dry and oily portions on the skin. The “T” zone is the common term used for the area that is oily. The area is from the forehead to the nose bridge to the nose and the chin. These are often high blemish areas due to the oil. The other portion of the skin on the other hand is usually dry. The areas that are dry include the cheeks and the eye area. The care for this area is often more complicated than that of the other skin types except for sensitive skin type.

• Sensitive Skin Type

The sensitive skin type is the most high maintenance skin type. It is usually very dry and is easily irritated with chemicals in ordinary cleansers or beauty product. It is prone to signs of allergic reaction such as itchiness, redness, burning and inflammation. Looking for the care products for this type of skin may be difficult but several product lines have come out that is specifically for sensitive skin type.

Knowing your skin type gives you an edge in knowing how to take care of it. The right skin care can go a long way in getting that healthy and supple skin that glows from the inside out.

Sources: http://allwomenstalk.com/what-skin-type-do-you-have

                  http://www.webmd.com/beauty/face/whats-your-skin-type

                 http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/skintypes.htm

Young Skin vs. Old Skin

Oftentimes, we go through life without realizing what we had until it's gone. It is most especially true for women both young and old with regards to their skin. What is the difference between a young skin of a baby and an old skin of a  60 year-old? What really happens as our skin gets older as we age? 

In every woman's quest to figure out how to preserve the skin, the difference between knowing what to expect with your skin would be the best place to start. 

The skin is composed of several layers that changes as we age. The most outer layers of the skin normally sheds off every 2-4 weeks with new cells to replace the old. In the dermis, which is the second layer of the skin, there is where the new cells come from. These cells come to surface to die and become the outer layer that protects our body. This is also the layer which contains the connective tissues that serve as support to keep the skin from sagging. The presence of collagen and elastin in the connective tissues are what keeps the skin firm. Fatty lipids that are abundant in the hypodermis as well as in the dermis keeps the skin moisturized and supple.

As we age, all the processes slows down. The renewal of the skin becomes slow. The fatty lipids become less distributed to the skin, which makes the it thinner and dry. The combined forces of gravity and loss of connective tissues results in the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. Exposure to UV rays after years accumulates in the skin and results to "age spots". The deterioration of the natural functions of renewal of the body is what leads to the visible signs of aging.

It may seem like an inevitable event in each of our lives but there are always methods to make the transition graceful from young skin to old skin. Taking good care of what you have now just may be the answer to a beautiful old you.

Young Skin	Old Skin
Sheds dead cells every 2 – 4 weeks and is replaced	Slower renewal rate for skin cells
Has ample fatty lipids to hold moisture	Less fatty lipids and is thinner and easily gets dry
Well supported by connective tissues	Less supported due to loss of elasticity
Has adequate oil and sweat glands for moisture and to cool off the skin	Has less oil and sweat glands leaving dry skin
Blemish free due to less UV exposure	Age spots due to UV exposure over time
Firm and smooth	Wrinkled and sagging

Sources:
http://www.slowagingblog.com/skin/skin-changes-with-aging
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/anatomy/skin-anatomy-change1.htm
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061003230445AAi2t09
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/anatomy/shed-skin-cells.htm

THE SKIN

The skin is the soft outer covering of the human body. It serves as a protective layer from the harsh environment by keeping the harmful UV rays away as well as other environmental dangers. Aesthetically, skin is one of the most attractive features that any man or woman can have. So let's get to know our skin.

The skin has three layers namely:

1. Epidermis - the outer most layer of the skin. It is the visible portion that sheds every 28 days. This layer mainly consists of keratin that makes the skin waterproof as well as strong. Melanin is also in the epidermis. It is responsible for our skin tone.
2. Dermis - the middle layer that comprise of sweat glands, hair follicles as well as connective tissues. The sensory receptors, which are responsible for the feeling pain or touch, are concentrated in this layer. There are also tiny blood vessels in this layer that supplies the nutrients needed in the skin. 
3. Hypodermis - is the deepest layer of the skin mainly consisting of fat and connective tissues. This layer functions mainly for insulation.

Knowing your skin, even in the simplest sense can be a great step to achieving flawless results. So get to know your skin intimately and you'll find better results day by day.