Skin Physiology and Care

The skin is the biggest organ in the human body. It shields our bodies from the outside, controls body moisture, excretes waste products, keeps our bodies at a constant temperature, and provides sensory information to the brain. More than any other area of our body, our skin receives our attention, which we show by putting our emotions and between 6% and 20% of our disposable income into it (Lappe, 1996). Thus, it is important to think about how makeup affects our skin. This essay will look at the psycho-social effects of cosmetics and the reasons behind their perceived necessity. We'll also talk about the physiology of the skin, how makeup affects how it functions, and how natural and manufactured cosmetic chemicals affect the skin.

Cosmetics' Psycho-Social Effects

Our culture is obsessed with the "culture of beauty" (Lappe, 1996), which includes the idea that we should constantly have flawless, youthful-looking skin. Perceptions of how we seem on the outside are often intimately linked to our psychological health. It has become the "primary canvas on which our cultural and personal identity is drawn" because we define our self-image to include how others see us. (Lappe, 1996). Cosmetic corporations subvert notions of natural beauty, highlighting imperfections like big pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, and influencing our buying patterns in the quest for immaculate skin.

Within the animal kingdom, the majority of male species possess colorful physical characteristics that serve as a draw for a less colorful, but astutely disguised, female spouse. Because humans lack comparable decoration, women adorn their faces with cosmetics, particularly makeup, in an attempt to attract potential partners.

The Requirement of Cosmetics

According to Anctzak (2001), a cosmetic is any substance that, when applied, produces a transient, superficial change. We apply a wide range of cosmetics on our skin, such as lipstick and moisturizers. With the creative use of color, makeup enhances our face characteristics, changing the way we look. It can enhance facial beauty and be a means of communicating our identity to others. Makeup can balance out our skin tone and conceal scars, blemishes, and under-eye circles. In certain social contexts, it can raise our sense of self-worth, make us feel more attractive, and increase our social acceptability. Applying makeup can help us project a well-groomed image, which improves our self-esteem, confidence, and general well-being.

By treating the skin's outermost layer, skincare cosmetics offer superior environmental protection compared to untreated skin. Creams provide moisture to the outermost layer of skin cells, thereby treating the skin's surface. Additionally, it creates a thin layer that holds moisture below the surface to stop water from evaporating from the skin. Additionally, creams hasten the outer layer of skin cells' hydration, giving the skin a momentarily plump and smooth appearance. By removing dead skin cells, blackheads, and flaky skin, exfoliants help the skin look better. By raising the pore walls to prevent dirt and debris from building up inside, astringents improve the tone and texture of the skin. By dissolving the greasy residue that natural skin oils, lotions, and makeup leave on the skin, soaps help to remove dirt and grime particles.

The Skin's Physiology and How Cosmetics Affect Its Function

The epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis are the three primary layers of skin. The only layer that is visible to us is the epidermis, and as we age, amazing changes take place that are out of our line of sight. For example, the skin becomes thinner over time, particularly in the vicinity of the eyes. The skin will eventually diminish, although some cosmeceuticals can somewhat thicken it again. The dermis contains the elastin and collagen fibers that keep the skin supple and hydrated; however, as we age, these fibers degrade and cause wrinkles and lines. The concept that a cosmetic may reverse this process is erroneous, as few cosmetics can actually reach the dermis. UV radiation exposure speeds up this process. Reducing our exposure to UV light and the sun is the best approach to avoid wrinkles and fine lines.

The skin is a dynamic, extremely complex tissue structure. 19 million cells, 625 sweat glands, 90 oil glands, 65 hair follicles, 19,000 sensory cells, and 4 meters of blood arteries make up one square inch of skin (Lappe, 1996). The outermost layer of the epidermis, known as the cornified layer, is composed of dead, flat skin cells called squames and sheets of the protein keratin. It serves as our defense against environmental dehydration. The primary source of moisture for the skin comes from the underlying tissue, as frequent interaction with the outside world tends to dry out the skin's surface. The cornified layer of the skin can become dry, brittle, and hard when exposed to dry environments. If left untreated, it can also split and become infected. In order to keep the skin hydrated and supple, creams form a waxy barrier. Six additional layers of the epidermis, which are in charge of cell production, are located beneath the cornified layer. Since the skin cells in this layer have a life cycle of about 28 days, it could take three to four weeks to see any changes on the skin's surface as a result of applying a new cosmetic.

Additionally, millions of beneficial microorganisms that boost our resistance to harmful, or disease-causing, germs reside on the surface of our skin. Therefore, streptococcus mutans and micrococcus luteus—beneficial bacteria—are likewise destroyed by our attempt to sanitize the skin. For example, toners help control bacterial populations, which in turn helps prevent acne flare-ups caused by microorganisms that enter and multiply in the pores. When too many beneficial bacteria are eliminated by the overuse of anti-microbial medications, pathogenic bacteria are free to proliferate unchecked on the skin and can cause negative consequences. Defensins and cathelicidins are two antibacterial proteins that the skin produces in greater amounts when it is injured. In addition to being essential for maintaining body temperature, perspiration also releases a protein known as dermicidin, which is a germicidal agent that fights bacteria that cause body odor. Deodorants also help control the number of bacteria that are released by the sweat glands, which reduces the amount of odors those bacteria create. Studies have indicated that frequent washing increases the risk of infection and eczema because it "washes" away natural bacteria and germicides (Awake!, 2004).

The Skin's Reaction to Synthetic and Natural Cosmetic Ingredients

Any extract from plants or animals, as well as rocks or minerals, that comes from the ground is considered a natural product (Antczak, 2001). Any material that has undergone chemical modification as part of an industrial process is considered artificial or synthetic (Antczak, 2001). We use a wide range of cosmetics to our skin, but prior to using these beauty tools, we should consider the following three crucial issues:What ingredients are in the cosmetic?Why is each component utilized?Do the components affect the body and skin in a good or bad way? (See www.organicmakeup.ca's vocabulary.)



Numerous products make safety claims or even seem to be safe, but are there any long-term consequences from everyday usage of the cosmetic beyond the benefits of using it in the short term? Transdermal medications have demonstrated that, contrary to popular belief, the skin is an impenetrable barrier that permits a wide range of chemicals to enter the bloodstream through its layers.

The pace at which the skin absorbs different substances included in cosmetics is determined by several factors. A skin's condition, such as dryness or injury, will influence absorption. Abrasions, cuts, and acne all promote absorption. Inhaling cosmetic ingredients—like those found in talc or hairspray—or absorbing them through the mucosal membranes are other methods of absorbing them. Powders are absorbed by the skin the least and moist substances most readily. Many cosmetics contain substances that worsen skin conditions like acne and dry skin, even though they are supposed to treat these issues. For example, comedogenic, or pore-clogging, chemicals may be present in acne treatments. The natural oils on the skin, which help to prevent dryness, may be removed by creams intended to cure dry skin. Certain substances penetrate the skin, dissolving skin oils and causing the skin to become dehydrated (Lappe, 1996). Chemical sensitivity is becoming more and more common; it can appear at any time, even after using a product for a long time. According to research from Erickson (2002), 20% of Americans experience symptoms of chemical sensitivity as a result of the chemicals in numerous cosmetics. Natural cosmetics highlight more conventional skin care methods with fewer of these negative side effects, realizing that long-term health risks do not outweigh cosmetic benefits in the short term.

Skin health is reliant on good eating habits, a healthy lifestyle, and efficient, secure surface protection. The Organic Makeup Company offers a full range of makeup and cosmetics made entirely of natural ingredients—never synthetic, petroleum-based, or derived from animals—that can help you attain healthy, glowing skin. Preservatives including d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and other plant oils with anti-microbial qualities are added to our freshly manufactured products after we get your purchase.

We encourage you to test our line of natural goods. Sound scientific concepts and our understanding of skin physiology serve as the foundation for the development of our cosmetics and makeup. Since our products are natural, vegan, and a great substitute for traditional makeup and cosmetics, they will persuade you on their own.




ZZZZZZ

Location:

Share :