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Your skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. These layers work together and support each other. To learn how skin works you must understand the purpose of each of the following layers: The epidermis is the outer layer of skin. It contains melanin,…

What is the Epidermis? When we think of protecting our bodies from the elements, we may think of putting on a jacket, or shoes and socks. Perhaps you use sunscreen, and wear a hat and sunglasses. Fortunately, in addition to what we wear, we also have a built-in protective covering…

The dermis might be considered the “core” of the integumentary system (derma– = “skin”), as distinct from the epidermis (epi– = “upon” or “over”) and hypodermis (hypo– = “below”). The dermis also contains lymph channels that drain to deeper lymph nodes to help clear toxins, as well as little blood…

Subcutaneous tissue, which is also known as the hypodermis, is the innermost layer of skin. It’s made up of fat and connective tissues that house larger blood vessels and nerves, and it acts as an insulator to help regulate body temperature. The thickness of this subcutaneous layer varies throughout the body and also…

Sebum is an oily secretion produced by sebaceous glands – tiny ducts adjacent to hair follicles. Sebum is secreted into the follicle, from which it spreads over the hair and skin. The main role of sebum is to waterproof the skin and hair. Both excess and lack of sebum are…

What is the Difference between Skin Type and Skin Condition? Our skin is very complex. With all of the information there is to know about skin and how to take care of it, it’s not surprising that so many people confuse their skin type with a skin condition. Skin type…

What is normal skin? A normal skin type is characterised by a radiant complexion. There are very few imperfections, barely visible pores, and no severe sensitivity. It glows with an inner health, which indicates good blood circulation. Normal skin is not too dry or too oily. It displays a rosy,…

What is combination skin? As the name implies, a combination skin type can be part dry, part oily or part normal in some areas. Like the T-zone (chin, forehead and nose). The most common combination skins are dry with a normal T-zone, or normal with an oily T-zone. Usually the…

What is dry skin? Dry skin is a common skin condition characterised by insufficient oil content in the upper layers of the skin called the epidermis. Dehydration of the skin or lack of water is confused with a lack of oil in the skin. Dry skin can affect all age…

Dehydrated skin means that your skin is lacking water. It can be dry and itchy and perhaps dull looking, too. Your overall tone and complexion may appear uneven, and fine lines are more noticeable. While dehydrated skin can be a nuisance, it’s relatively easy to treat with the right lifestyle…

What is oily skin? Oily skin is characterised by a thick, shiny appearance with visibly large pores. The skin becomes too oily because the sebaceous glands produce an increased amount of lipids on the skin’s surface. This makes the skin prone to blackheads, blemishes, acne, and other skin imperfections. Oily…

What is aging and mature skin? Over time, the sebaceous glands’ ability to produce oil slows down, often leading to skin dryness, wrinkles, fine lines, flakiness and other imperfections. Even if you had perfect skin, no one is immune to the skin changes brought about by aging. The first thing…

What is sensitive skin? Although not a “skin type” but rather a symptom caused by different factors, sensitive skin is characterised by frequent redness, burning, itching or dryness as a reaction to the topical application of skin care products or other stimuli. A healthy skin functions to maintain balance by…

Oxidative stress occurs when an oxygen molecule splits into single atoms with unpaired electrons, which are called free radicals. How do free radicals affect the body?  Free radicals are toxic by-products of oxygen metabolism that can cause significant damage to living cells and tissues in a process called “oxidative stress.” The…

Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals – unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. They are sometimes called “free-radical scavengers.” Antioxidants are said to help neutralise free radicals in our bodies, and this is…

What is skin inflammation? Your immune system is important for maintaining your overall health. It works to detect and neutralise foreign invaders, such as infectious microbes and even cancer cells. When this happens, inflammation can occur. Like any other part of your body, your skin can be involved in immune…

Wrinkles are creases, folds, or ridges in the skin. They normally appear as people get older, but they can also develop after spending a long time in water. The first wrinkles to appear on a person’s face tend to occur as a result of facial expressions. Sun damage, smoking, dehydration,…

Sensitised skin is the wolf in sheep’s clothing in the skin care world; it pretends to be something it is not. The hard part of distinguishing between sensitive and sensitised skin is that they have similar symptoms and appearances. Both conditions can cause the client to experience dehydration, burning, itching,…