In the hope of helping to educate and create interest in natural skin care I started making, selling and teaching about natural skincare . I hope to eliminate some myths about lye soap and herbal remedies.
I started Yarthkins Truly Old-Fashion Soap and Sundries in 2000. In that time we have grown tremendously. I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 1993 specializing in skin care. Due to my own sensitive skin needs I have done a great deal of research in the area of natural skin and hair care products. I have combined these great interest in Yarthkins.
I have attended several classes in herbs, herbal medicines and alternative healing. I believe there would be a great response to a class for making homemade cosmetics. I was interested in offering a program that would include: basic skin care, herbal skin care, and demonstrations of how to make homemade skin care products. This class is just the beginning step in taking charge of exactly what you use on your skin, hair, and nails.
The skin is our largest organ. It protects us by keeping out bacteria, keeps us warm and cool, and eliminates toxins from our body daily. Healthy skin is moist, soft, and fine grained. The thinnest skin is the eyelids and the thickest on the soles of the feet. The skin is divided into outer and inner skin. The inner skin creates new skin cells which are fat, round and fluid filled. As the cells age they rise toward the surface, become flat, long and dry. These dry cells fall or are rubbed off. The life of a skin cell is about 28 days. Melanocytes in the outer layers contain melanin. Melanin gives skin color and protects from UV rays. The catch 22 of melanin protection is that the skin must be damaged by the sun to darken the color of the melanin that protects the skin. The skin also contains sweat glands, oil glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, and nerve endings. All of these are supported by a network of collagen and elastin. Collagen gives the ability to stretch and elastin gives the ability to snap back into shape.
Understanding what makes the skin work helps us to take better care of the organ that takes very good care of us. As children we have the skin we are born with. As young women we have the skin we want. As older women we have the skin we deserve. Take care of your skin and it will take care of you.
Changes in the skin can be seasonal or lasting. In the winter our skin keeps us warm by retaining sebum(oil) and sweat so our skin is drier. In the summer our skin keeps us cool by releasing these same fluids so our skin is oilier. To keep up with these changes we may need to change our skin care regimen. As we age our skin changes. Oil and sweat gland production slows down. Cell regeneration slows down as well. The skin is less able to retain moisture. Fat layers diminish as we age giving skin less elasticity.
As wonderful as our skin is it can give us a lot of problems. It can be too dry or too oily. Allergic to everything. Itchy and scaly. What can we do?
Sooner or later as we age we will all have to deal with dry skin. Production of oil slows down as we age and we lose the protective layer of oil that protects from water evaporation. Moisturizers with a gentle circular massage will help relieve dryness and improve circulation. Humidify your indoor environment especially in the winter. Do not over moisturize, too much will block pores and your skin will not produce its own natural moisture.
Wrinkles are caused when the layer of fat under our skin thins out. The skin becomes loose with the loss of collagen and elastin. Dehydration may also be a factor. Stay out of the sun. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and caffeine that can dehydrate the skin.
Eczema and psoriasis can find us at any age. Eczema can be temporary or chronic. It is most likely brought on by coming in contact with an allergen. Contact dermatitis is another form of eczema. Psoriasis is usually chronic where the skin cells mature faster than the dead skin cells can come off. The normal maturation rate of a skin cell is 28 days. Skin cells affected by psoriasis age in just 7 days. The results is red scaly patches of skin.
Acne is a common problem as a teenager but can last well into adulthood. Acne can be caused by overactive oil glands in which bacteria can cause infection then you have a pimple or blackhead. Overactive oil glands can be caused by hormonal changes, genetic factors or stress. It all starts with a blocked hair follicle. The remedy is to keep the skin clean and do not use products that may over dry the skin. When the skin is too dry the oil follicles work harder to moisturize the skin thus defeating your purpose.
rosehavendesigns