holvita™ for general skin health
Why our skin is important
The skin is the body's largest organ and is made up of multiple layers of epithelial tissues that guard underlying muscles and organs. There are different types of skin, ranging from dry to oily skin. Two important functions of the skin are:
- to protect the body against pathogens
- temperature regulation
The skin can react to its surroundings by losing its moisture and essential fatty acids, becoming dry and sensitive. It is important to keep the skin clean by using only mild detergents, and hydrated by drinking water and applying moisturising creams/lotions, preferably with natural ingredients, because most of what is applied to the skin enters our blood stream. Some cosmetic products contain chemicals (toxins), which can put pressure on our already overloaded liver dealing with everyday toxins from food, air and water.
Functions of the skin
- Protection: It is a protective barrier between the internal and external environment in bodily defence. Skin cells are part of the adaptive immune system
- Sensation: Nerves in the skin react to heat and cold, touch, pressure and injury.
- Heat regulation: skin heat regulation controls the energy loss.
- Control of evaporation: the skin provides a barrier to fluid loss. Loss of this function contributes to the massive loss of fluid eg. In burns.
- Storage and synthesis: the skin acts as a storage for lipids and water, a factory for vitamin D
- Excretion: sweat as a secondary function for temperature regulation.
- Absorption: nutrients, ointments and medicine can be administered through the skin. Absorption is important for maintaining skin condition and healthy body.
- Water resistance: The skin acts as a water resistant barrier, preventing essential nutrients from being washed out of the body
- Appearance: others see our skin and can assess our mood, physical state and attractiveness.
Importance of skin hygiene
Maintaining skin hygiene is very important as an unclean skin encourages growth of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts and parasites. As the skin cells die, they peel off the epidermis and mix with sweat and dirt to form a layer on the skins surface. If this layer of is not removed regularly it becomes a haven for bacteria. The function of the skin becomes compromised, making it prone to infection. Sunlight, water and air play an important role in keeping the skin healthy.
The skin contains its own micro flora with an important balance that helps to keep the skin in good condition. When this balance is disturbed, as for example by antibiotics, the flora is destroyed and an overgrowth of yeast can occur.
An oily skin is caused by over-active glands and is typified by shininess, blemishes and pimples. The negative aspect of the oily-skin type is that oily complexions are particularly susceptible to clogged pores, blackheads, and build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more easily damaged. As the skin becomes thinner it becomes less capable of healing itself. Skin ageing is characterised by a fall in elasticity. Ageing skin also has a retarded blood flow and shows lower glandular activity.