Sans Soucis
Your Skin
The Structure of the Skin
The skin is
your body’s largest organ. With a surface area of almost
two square meters (21 square feet) and an average weight of 14 kg (30 lbs),
the skin accounts for nearly 20% of total body weight. The body is 70% water,
and one-quarter of that water is stored in the skin. One square centimeter
of skin (0.64 square inches) contains some 600,000 cells, including 5,000 sensory
cells and 15,000 pigment cells, and 12 ft of nerves, 3 ft of blood vessels,
15 sebaceous glands, and 5 hairs – a real physiological miracle.
The skin is made up of three connected layers that perform different functions.
From top to bottom these are:
The outer layer (epidermis)
The epidermis, or outermost layer of your skin, serves as a protective shell
and is your direct connection to your environment. This layer is the main focus
of cosmetic treatment and is particularly important for your appearance.
The deepest part of the epidermis is the basal cell layer, where the regeneration
of cells takes place through cell division. New cells, which are continuously
being formed, push the cells directly above them toward the surface, where
they gradually dry out and become “horny”, forming the uppermost
horny layer of the skin. The entire process of skin regeneration takes approximately
28 days.
Melanocytes, which are responsible for melanin, the main skin pigment, can
be found in the epidermis between the basal cells. When sunbathing, melanin
production increases to form a natural barrier that protects the skin.
The inner layer (cutis)
Closely meshed with the epidermis by means of peg-shaped connective cells,
the cutis is essentially a protein network made of collagens and elastic fibers.
This network of fibers makes the skin taut, strong, and elastic.
The cutis contains nerve bodies that react to warmth, cold, and touch. The
sebaceous glands, which excrete oil, are also located in this layer. In addition,
hair follicles and perspiration glands can be found in the lower section of
the cutis.
The subcutaneous fatty tissue (subcutis)
The subcutis is a highly elastic connective tissue layer that is closely connected
to the overlying inner layer. It is composed of deposits of grape-shaped, fatty
cells that give the skin its cushioning effect.
This layer stores fat as an energy reserve, protects against heat loss, and
shields the body from dirt and everyday bumps and knocks.
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The Functions and Purpose of the Skin
As the outermost layer of the body, the skin has a variety of functions to
fulfill:
- It protects the body against potentially harmful external influences. In
addition to giving some protection from mechanical influences such as dirt
and mild impacts, the skin also has a protective biological shield. This
shield takes the form of an extremely thin, invisible acid mantle that is
formed on the surface of the skin by secretions of the sebaceous and perspiration
glands. In order to guarantee the functioning of the skin's biological protective
shield, it is important to preserve the skin's slightly acidic pH-value (between
5 and 6) with the appropriate skincare regimen.
- It regulates body temperature, helping the body cope with
climate changes.
- It stores water, fat, and vitamins, which can be used
as required. In addition, the skin uses sunlight to produce the essential
vitamin D, which supports the body's entire metabolism.
- It registers sensations such as hot, cold and pain.
- It secretes metabolic waste.
- It absorbs certain care substances that regulate the fat-moisture
balance.
- It plays an important role in boosting a person's self-esteem and
the way he/she is perceived by others.
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The Various Types of Skin
Normal
skin
Normal skin is characterized by a consistent production of sebum, and a balance
of oil and moisture that is within the natural levels.
Normal skin feels smooth and supple, it has very fine pores, and is velvety
and rosy.
Dry skin
Dry skin has a reduced production of sebum, which means that the hydro-lipid
coat becomes inadequate and moisture can not be bound sufficiently.
Skin with a low moisture content feels dry and rough. It is usually thin,
soft, and dull, and gives a feeling of tension. Small premature wrinkles can
be seen, particularly around the eyes. Fines lines between the nose and the
corner of the mouth are another typical sign.
Sensitive and allergy-prone skin
Sensitive skin is thin and at the same time is often dry with a low oil content,
which makes the skin react more intensely to internal and external influences.
There is frequent evidence of skin irritations, reddening, and enlarged capillaries.
Oily-Combination Skin
Oily skin has high levels of sebum production, which leads to the formation
of a shiny oil film on the surface. Oily skin often looks pale and thick, has
enlarged pores, and tends to show impurities.
In combination skin, these features can be observed on the forehead, nose
and chin (T-zone), while skin is dry and rough around the eyes, cheeks, and
neck. The first wrinkles tend to appear in these drier areas.
Demanding skin
Demanding skin can be found on women of every age. It is characterized by
flabbiness, dryness, diminishing elasticity, and the first signs of the biological
skin-aging process. Stress, an unbalanced diet, incorrect care, and environmental
influences such as UV rays and air pollution all have a negative effect on
the skin and contribute to premature skin aging. Skin that has been damaged
by light and environmental influences is characterized by lines, tiny wrinkles,
or even pronounced wrinkles. The moisture and oil content is not in balance,
and the skin tends to have a leathery surface and displays a lack of elasticity.
Blotchy pigment displacement and disruptions to horn formation are also frequent
characteristics.
Impure
skin
Impure skin usually has an oily sheen and large pores,
and is characterized by blackheads, pimples and a tendency towards inflammation.
Impure skin is often particularly sensitive due to an imbalance in moisture
and oil levels. Young people of both sexes tend to have problem skin when undergoing
hormonal changes (puberty). It can, however, also occur in women in later years
(menopause).
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How to Choose the Right Crème
While many Sans Soucis products are suitable for all skin types, some are tailored
to the specific needs of individual skin types. In order to help you select
the products that are right for you, we have developed an online skin program
that will analyze your skin type and suggest an appropriate skin care regimen.
(To use the program, visit www.sanssoucis.com, choose “English”,
then “Care” and “Skin Analysis”.)
Of course, in order to create a truly correct and customized skin care treatment,
it is essential to work with a Sans Soucis skin care consultant to obtain appropriate
counseling and a skin care plan.
Your skin changes over time, and it is essential that treatment be adapted
accordingly. The seasons also play an important role: the skin requires more
intensive treatment in dry, cold winter air.
Sans Soucis provides skin care lines for the various skin types, and effective
skin products to meet all care requirements and for specific skin problems.
All skin care lines and special products can, depending on the skin, be combined
to support an individual skin care plan.
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