Clive AndersonClive Anderson
TO HAVE healthy skin! This is surely one of the more common wishes for 2005. Healthy skin is one of our most precious possessions as it works
wondrously to protect us from the myriad of harmful agents in our environment, and it also looks great. To maintain the health of our closest ally, we need to develop a wholesome skin care regimen.
STEP 1: CLEANSING THE SKIN REPEAT DAILY
Any soap will remove dirt and oils from the skin but some remove too much oil. Additionally, most soaps will alter the skin's pH, which is normally basic. Using an alkaline soap may make the skin feel dry and
uncomfortable. Healthy skin will quickly regain its normal balance but repeated or aggressive washing will make the skin more susceptible to damage and infection. The
synthetic detergent bars are less harmful to the skin because they contain less than 10 per cent soap and have an adjusted pH closer to that of our skin.
They are less irritating and are especially recommended for
persons with sensitive skin or any skin disorder. Avoid medicated or antibacterial soaps unless they are prescribed specially for the treatment of a skin condition. These soaps have a pH of between nine and 10 and
frequently cause irritation.
Lipid-free cleansers are liquid products that clean without fats. They are applied to dry or moistened skin rubbed to produce lather and then wiped away. These products are useful in
removing make-up. Body washes are liquid
synthetic detergent that combines mild skin cleansing with moisturising properties. High amounts of a moisturiser are usually incorporated in the body wash. Avoid abrasive cleansers,
especially on the face as they often irritate the skin. Be aware that acne is not caused by poor hygiene and indeed over-washing the face can aggravate the acne.
STEP 2: TONING RARELY
A frequent part of the regimen may be the use of a toner. It is a myth that the use of a toner is necessary to properly cleanse the skin. The dark patch seen on the cotton after
vigorous use of a toner is not dirt but cells
with pigment. It is also untrue that toners are capable of treating 'open pores'. Astringent toners may work to close pores but only
temporarily. Toners containing salicylic acid and other exfoliants may be helpful in
controlling some skin conditions such as acne.
STEP 3: MOISTURISING OFTEN
The perfect skin moisturiser probably does not exist. The cosmetic companies market facial moisturisers based on skin type. Products designed for oily skin are oil-free or contain only small amounts of oils. They are made
predominantly of water and propylene glycol. These combinations are less likely to cause or aggravate acne. Products designed for normal or combination skin contain water, mineral oil and propylene glycol and will leave an oily residue on the skin.
Vitamins are a common additive to facial
products. Panthothenic acid or vitamin B
complex, vitamins E, A and D are all to be found in moisturisers. There is little conclusive evidence that these products penetrate the skin and the
usefulness of these topical vitamins is dubious. There is, however, some evidence that certain types of topical vitamin C
products have a
beneficial effect on the skin.
Creams and lotions that claim to restore or rebuild tissue in the deeper layers of the skin simply do not penetrate deep enough to have any effect. If application of the moisturiser is accompanied by a stinging
sensation it should be washed off the skin immediately. This may be due to an irritant
contact dermatitis, not an allergy, most often caused by propylene glycol. Some facial
moisturisers have an added sunblock, which is an excellent thing in our climate.
UVA/UVB protection from childhood days will reduce the ageing effect on the skin and protect from skin cancers. On the body, the greasier the moisturiser the better. The moisturiser should be applied immediately after the bath on damp skin to trap moisture. Repeat application as often as needed to keep skin from appearing dry.
Our skin should come with care instructions that say: feed a balanced diet; exercise regularly; rinse with mild soap and lukewarm water; moisturise often and protect from excessive sunlight.
Dr. Clive Anderson is a dermatologist and venereologist; email; yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
