Sunday, November 1, 2009

Skin Care

It might make you a little queasy, but everything you do to care for your skin—slathering on moisturizer, scrubbing with a sponge, and so on—you do to a layer of lifeless cells. Your morning shower involves scrubbing away the oldest and loosest skin cells— not to reveal the living cells underneath (which arent tough enough to face the outside world)—but to reveal more dead skin. In this respect, people are rather like trees, covered in a dead-as-a-doornail layer of protective bark. But don’t give up on your skin just yet. Dead as it may be, your skin cells still need proper upkeep. Here are some points to consider:

• Basic cleaning. Neatniks take heart—even dead skin needs a regular bath. If you leave your dead skin undisturbed, it will mix with sweat and dirt to form a very tasty snack for the bacteria that live on your skin. As the bacteria digest this mixture, they produce a foul smell that will earn you some extra personal space on the subway.

• Moisturizing. Ordinary soaps are harsh and drying. They strip away the natural oils in your skin. Unfortunately, this dry skin loses its natural protection against bacteria, which can then slip in through cracks and fissures in your skin. To keep your defenses up, rub lotion on your hands when they become dry (for many people, that means after every washing), and use gentle cleansers on other parts of your body (like your face).

• Exfoliation. Some people swear by special scrubs and brushes for removing dead skin cells. While exfoliation may improve the feel of your skin and temporarily enhance its appearance, exfoliation overachievers are likely to end up with dry, inflamed skin. So if you’re an exfoliating junkie, limit your sessions to twice a week, and moisturize your skin to replace the natural oils youve just scrubbed away.

Source of Information : Oreilly - Your Body Missing Manual

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