Skin Support

Most of us give our skin little thought in relation to our over-all health. In reality, it is an organ that is critical to our survival.  We would be wise to care for it as we would any of our other major organs! Just think for a moment on all your skin does for you--

• Helps to regulate body temperature and blood pressure
• Facilitates excretion- is the #1 eliminatory organ of the body!
• Protects your inner being by preventing evaporation of moisture and by keeping out environmental pollutants
• Is your sensory receptor, allows you to feel cold, heat, pain, pleasure and pressure
• Part of our all-important Immune System
• Provides contact with the "outside" world
• Cushions our internal organs, bones and tissues
• Insulates the body
• Directs energy & provides a pathway for emotions to be expressed

I have seen over and over again individuals who are extremely concerned that everything they put in their mouth needs to be of the purest nature and yet they will slather their bodies with chemically-laden, petroleum-based lotions, and do many more damaging things. The wondrous skin has the capacity to absorb many of those chemicals just as it would healthy nutrients if the lotion were natural and nourishing. Unfortunately, it is something even many of us who have been into natural foods for a long time just didn't really think about or understand. Luckily, we can all become a little wiser and respond accordingly. To begin with we want to use products that will support the many important functions of the skin. They should contribute to the health of the skin, not just cosmetic appearance. For example, almost all lotions purchased outside the natural foods marketplace contain mineral oil because it is very inexpensive. Mineral oil, however, seals the skin pores, which, of course, undermines the skin's function as an organ of elimination, absorption and secretion. The other thing we use a lot is cleansing detergents and even water itself.Skin hygiene, is a primary mechanism for reducing infectious disease.

Widespread use of antibacterial products however, has prompted concern about creating resistance to antiseptics and severely damaging the skin barrier because of frequent washing.  In multiple researches, the use of antibacterial soaps for example showed a reduction in friendly bacteria on the skin surface bringing about a series of skin conditions and problems aside from the pH balance.  Extensive studies of showering and bathing, shows that these activities increase spreading of skin bacteria into the air, resulting in contamination of surrounding cells. These studies brought about a change in practice among surgical personnel, who are now generally discouraged from showering immediately before entering the operating room.  The superficial part of the skin, the epidermis, has five layers. The outermost layer is composed of flattened dead cells attached to each other to form a tough, horny layer of keratin mixed with few lipids, which help maintain the hydration, pliability, and barrier effectiveness of the skin. This horny layer has been compared to a wall of bricks, which serves as the primary protective barrier. Your whole skin is completely replaced every 2 weeks; a new layer is formed approximately daily.

When the barrier is compromised (e.g., by too many washes, disinfecting, etc, skin dryness, irritation, cracking, and other problems may come about.  Long-term changes in skin pH because of frequent washing may create a concern since some of the antibacterial characteristics of skin are associated with its normally acidic pH.  The bad news is that even after a single washing, all skin functions are normally changed).

Antiseptic preparations drastically reduce the counts of skin surface flora. Which means the skins defense mechanism against harmful bacteria is substantially reduced. An alternative to detergent-based antiseptic products is the use of alcohol hand rinses, which have recently become widely available over the counter; with little concern on what kind of havoc they can create for the skin. The goal should be to identify skin hygiene practices that provide adequate protection while minimizing the risk for changing the natural balance and health of the skin and increasing resistance in the skin flora.

Moisturizing is very beneficial for skin health.  However, as mentioned above, a chemical filled moisturizer is no better for the health of your skin that the soaps.  Try using natural moisturizers such as Nuvella Pure SheaNut butter or Nuvella Skin Support Plus Rejuvenating Moisturizer to nourish the skin and feed yourself inside out.

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Live in Light!

EL