Skin

The Skin's Architecture
The skin has three major layers -- the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin. Its main function is to produce the keratin that protects the body against harmful environmental substances and controls water loss. Cells in the epidermis also produce melanin, which gives the skin its color.

The next layer of the skin is the dermis. This layer contains a number of important substances such as collagen and reticulin, which prevent the skin from tearing; elastin, which makes the skin resilient; and jellylike substances that make the skin soft and compressible.

The third layer, subcutaneous tissue, is primarily made up of fat, which provides insulation, shock absorption, and calorie reserves. Both the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue contain sensory and motor nerves.

Among the most common causes of skin disorders are infections, overexposure to sunlight, follicle dysfunction, and hormonal imbalance. Parasites, external substances, cell dysfunction, genetic factors, stress, and aging also cause skin problems.

Did you know that the skin is the body's largest organ? The average sized person has over twenty square feet of skin on their body.
It is an amazingly sensitive yet resilient super sponge. When you shower or swim the skin absorbs the chlorine and any other chemicals present in the water. Your skin is a direct connection to the bloodstream and what you apply to it is taken in to your body. Read the labels of everything you apply to your skin. If you can't pronounce it, you shouldn't be putting it on your body. If you can't eat it, do you think it's a good idea to put it on your skin? Just because a lotion or oil may be expensive doesn't mean it's good for you.

Sunscreen is very damaging to your skin. Mineral oil, baby oil, is a petroleum based oil that is terrible for your skin and health. It clogs and fills the pores of the skin cutting off healthy oxygen to the skin and millions of surface blood vessels. Just because the manufacturer sells it as "all natural" or, "healthy", or even "safe for sensitive skin" read the labels, it's not that difficult. Educate yourselves, knowledge is power, and the FDA is not going to tell you about these things. They are the agencies that approve of the selling of these poisons. They have no idea of the long-term damage being done to your body, but it doesn't take a lot of intelligence to understand that poison isn't good for you.

Your skin is the first line of defense for the rest of your body. If you poison your skin then then the chances of developing other disease over time is greatly increased.
Protect yourself and please read labels. There are many alternatives to everything you use in your home.
Thanks for reading.
Graham

http://www.gillfinn.mionegroup.com