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Helpful Hints for Dry Skin

Newsletter - The Skin

*The skin is the largest organ of our body. Many of us rarely think of it that way, and of course we would never treat our heart like we do our skin; Applying baby oil liberally, and sunbathing until it was nice and brown. Our skin rarely is pampered and treated as the vital organ it truly is.

• Our skin contains an average of 20% water, and like a prune, will wrinkle when it is dehydrated.
• Our skin weighs twice as much as the brain.
• Our skin covers approximately 21 sq. ft. on an average adult.
• The thinnest skin on our bodies is on the eyelids.
• The thickest skin on our bodies is on our feet.
• Our skin reflects the body's general state of health.
• Our skin is the only organ that can reveal our age group.

Anything that you apply to your skin can be detected in the bloodstream within 20 minutes. This is evident within the pharmaceutical industry with the ever increasing introduction of medicinal skin patches. The "no smoking" patch is an example of how medications are being absorbed into the bloodstream. For fun, to test this theory, step barefoot on a clove of garlic, and time how long it takes for you to taste the garlic in your mouth. Then consider for a moment the many different preparations that you have laid on you skin. For me, I began to question each ingredient, wondering how it may hurt or help the function of my skin.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN

• Regulates temperature
• Expels toxins
• Manufactures sebum (oil)
• Provides protection from bacteria
• The acid mantle, which is on the surface of our skin, controls the pH levels topically
• Absorbs moisture from the atmosphere

CONTRIBUTORS OF PREMATURE AGING OF SKIN

• Sun exposure - damages many layers of skin
• Soap - dehydrates and pH factor is disturbed
• Caffeine - dehydrates and is diuretic. It is said, to balance the effects of caffeine, 3 equal glasses of water to every 1 cup of coffee or tea to replenish the moisture content of the skin.
• Smoking - dehydrates, and reduces oxygen flow to the skin.
• Skin care products made with inferior ingredients