Our skin is made up of two layers:the dermis and the epidermis. The dermis is the deepest layer of the skin. It ensures the repair of the skin. Indeed, it is within it that the cells multiply. It also nourishes the epidermis because it contains blood vessels and sometimes adipose tissue (fat what!).
The epidermis is therefore the upper part of our skin. It is much finer than the previous one but it is no less important:it is the last barrier between our body and the outside.
The skin is therefore a barrier. It insulates our body from the outside, from bacteria, microbes... it also allows the regulation of body temperature. To fulfill its protective role, it contains two types of important glands:sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum, and sweat glands, which secrete perspiration.
However, the fact that she protects us does not prevent us from protecting her as well. Follow the leader...
The skin fulfills its protective role thanks to sebum and perspiration, among other things, but how? Sebum is an oily film that covers the surface of our epidermis. Thus, the upper part of our skin is protected from drying out and therefore from micro-cuts which could allow viruses, bacteria and various microbes to pass through. Perspiration or sweat, thanks to its slight acidity, limits the proliferation of bacteria on the surface of our skin. But this balance is precarious, in fact, too much sebum can facilitate the proliferation of bacteria and create irritation. Similarly, excessive perspiration will show an interaction between sweat and bacteria:in short, it smells bad.
Conversely, too little sebum leads to the risk of chapping and micro-cuts thus generating, in addition to pain and unsightly redness, premature aging of the skin and thus allowing microbes to penetrate the body. In the same way, too little sweat will promote the proliferation of bacteria.
So let's find the right balance.
To take care of our skin effectively, we must not strip it too much, nor be too lax on cleanliness. The soaps and cleaning agents (surfactants) used by the majority of people are aggressive for our skin. To tell you the truth:the cleaning agent in your shower gels is the same as the one in your floor washing products! It licks your skin, and you only love it because it lathers up nicely. And yet foam does not wash away!
There are alternatives called mild cleansing agents:surfactants from coconut, white clay, washing powders like reetha...
Do you know the konjac sponge? Konjac is a plant whose fibers are assembled to give a sponge. This 100% natural and vegetable sponge allows you to wash your face, even without soap. For more softness it is even recommended not to use soap. This sponge is suitable for all skin types, even acne, as well as for babies.
You will often find it combined with clay or bamboo charcoal to adapt to oily, dry, fragile or other skin types.
Of course, this will not prevent you from nourishing or moisturizing your skin to help it fight in the event of extreme temperatures. But that is yet another story!
This article is brought to you in association with the messoinsnaturel.com blog and the Bio Box BelleauNaturel.fr
Virginie from My natural care
