Skin Care and the Physiology of the Skin are two important topics to understand

The skin of the human body is the biggest organ in the body. Protection from the environment, maintenance of body temperature, excretion of waste matter, transmission of sensory information to the brain, and regulation of body moisture are all functions of the skin. We spend more time thinking about our skin than any other aspect of our body, and we show our appreciation for it by spending our emotions and around 6 to 20% of our disposable cash on our skin care products (Lappe, 1996). It is thus worthwhile to study how cosmetic items impact the appearance of our skin. The psycho-social influence of cosmetics, as well as the reasons why cosmetics are considered necessary, will be discussed in this article. Aspects of skin physiology, the way cosmetics impact skin function, and the effects of synthetic and natural cosmetic substances on the skin will all be discussed in detail.

Do Cosmetics Have a Psychological and Social Impact?

"The culture of beauty" (Lappe, 1996) is based on the assumption that our skin must constantly remain fresh and free of blemishes in order for us to be considered beautiful. Our psychological well-being is often intertwined with our views of how our skin looks to ourselves and to others, and this is especially true for women. Due to the fact that our self-image includes how we seem to others while we are wearing clothes, our skin has been referred to as the "main canvas on which our cultural and personal identity is painted" (Lappe, 1996). Cosmetic businesses have thrown aside traditional notions of natural beauty in order to bring imperfections such as huge pores, fine lines, and wrinkles to the forefront, influencing our purchasing habits in the search for flawless skin in the process.

In the animal world, most male species are bestowed with colourful physical characteristics in order to attract a female partner who is less colourful but has been cleverly disguised to avoid being seen. Because humans lack a comparable kind of adornment, women rely on cosmetics, notably make-up, to adorn their faces in order to attract possible partners.

Cosmetics are required in many situations.

A cosmetic is any material that, when applied, causes a brief, superficial alteration in the appearance of the user (Anctzak, 2001). The cosmetics we use on our skin range from moisturisers to lipstick, and we use a variety of them. Make-up affects our visual appearance by drawing attention to our best features and enhancing them with the artful application of colour. It may be used to enhance the appearance of the face and to communicate our sense of self to others. Makeup may be used to conceal blemishes, scars, dark bags under the eyes, and even out our skin tone. It has the capacity to raise our self-esteem, make us feel more beautiful, and increase our social acceptability in certain social contexts, among other things. Making use of make-up may help us to present a well-groomed image, which can have a beneficial impact on our confidence, self-esteem, health, and morale.

Skin care cosmetics work by treating the skin's surface layer, which provides better protection against the environment than untreated skin.In order to treat the surface of the skin, creams must first moisturise and then hydrate the skin cells in the skin's outermost layer. It also produces a thin barrier on the skin's surface, keeping water from evaporating off the skin's surface and allowing it to retain moisture underneath it. Creams also help to speed up the hydration of skin cells on the outer layer of the skin, giving the skin a smooth and plump look for a short time. Exfoliants enhance the look of the skin by removing flaky skin, blackheads, and certain dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Astringents enhance skin tone and texture through dilatation of the pore walls, preventing dirt and debris from accumulating inside them. By dissolving the oily residue left on the skin by natural skin oils, lotions, and make-up, soaps are able to release dirt and grime particles from the skin.

Understanding the Physiology of the Skin and How Cosmetics Impact the Function of the Skin

The epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis are the three primary layers of skin that make up the body's defences. The epidermis is the only layer of the skin that can be seen with the naked eye, and as we get older, significant changes take place that are not visible to the naked eye. Taking skin as an example, the skin progressively thins with age, particularly around the eyes. Some cosmeceuticals may temporarily thicken the skin, but the process of skin thinning is unavoidable over time. Elastin and collagen, which are found in the dermis, help to maintain the skin's elastic and moist. However, as we get older, these fibres begin to break down, resulting in lines and wrinkles. Exposure to UV light accelerates this process, and since few cosmetics are able to penetrate the dermis, the notion that a cosmetic may reverse this process is completely untrue. Preventing fine lines and wrinkles by limiting our exposure to the sun and UV radiation is the most effective method of prevention.

The skin is a very complex and dynamic tissue system that requires constant attention. Approximately 19 million cells, 625 sweat glands, 90 oil glands, 65 hair follicles, 19 000 sensory cells, and 4 metres of blood vessels make up a square inch of skin (Lappe, 1996). The cornified layer of the epidermis is the outermost layer of the epidermis and is composed of sheets of keratin, a protein, and squames, which are dead, flat skin cells. It serves as a protective barrier against dehydration caused by the environment. Due to the frequent interaction with the external environment, which tends to dry up the skin's surface, the skin's principal source of moisture is the tissue underneath the skin's outer layer.

As a result of exposure to dry circumstances, the cornified layer may become dry, brittle, and hard, and if left untreated, it might split, allowing infection to enter the body. Creams produce a waxy barrier around the skin, keeping it wet and supple and preventing dryness. Each of these six more layers of the epidermis is found underneath the cornified layer, each of which is responsible for cell production. Because the skin cells in this layer have a 28-day life cycle, it may take three to four weeks to see any changes on the skin's surface as a result of applying a new cosmetic product.

Additionally, millions of beneficial micro-organisms live on the skin's surface, which helps to boost our protection against pathogenic, or disease-causing, microorganisms. This means that in order to sterilise the skin, we must also kill beneficial bacteria such as streptococcus mutans and micrococcus luteum, which are necessary for skin health. Toners, for example, are effective in lowering bacterial populations, which in turn helps to reduce acne flare-ups caused by microorganisms that enter and flourish in the pores of the face and neck.

When too many helpful bacteria are eliminated by anti-microbial treatments, it may have a negative impact on the skin, enabling dangerous bacteria to flourish unchecked on the skin. In addition, the skin generates antimicrobial proteins, two of which are defensins and cathelicidins, which are produced in greater quantities when the skin is injured. Perspiration, which is important for the regulation of internal body temperature, also excretes a germicidal protein known as dermicidin, which is effective against germs that cause body odour. Deodorants also help to keep the bacterial population under control, which helps to reduce the amount of smell that is created as a result of the waste matter discharged by the sweat glands. According to research, those who wash excessively are more susceptible to infection and eczema as a consequence of "washing" away natural bacteria and germicides on a regular basis (Awake! 2004).

Natural and synthetic cosmetic ingredients have different effects on different skin types.

In the scientific community, a natural substance is any extract from a plant, animal, rock, or mineral that is taken from the ground (Antczak, 2001). An artificial or synthetic material is a substance that has undergone chemical modification as a result of a procedure in the manufacturing industry (Antczak, 2001). Cosmetics are used on our faces in a variety of ways, but before we apply these beautifying products, we should ask ourselves three important questions: What is the chemical make-up of the cosmetic product? What is the purpose of each ingredient? Can you tell me if the components have a favourable or negative impact on your skin and overall health? (See the glossary at www.organicmakeup.ca for more information.)

Many cosmetics claim to be safe, and some may even seem to be safe at first glance. However, beyond the short-term advantages of using the cosmetic, are there any long-term repercussions from the daily absorption of the cosmetic's ingredients that should be considered? Transdermal medications have shown that the skin is not an impervious barrier, as previously believed; in fact, numerous chemicals may flow through its layers and into the circulation when used properly.

Different cosmetic compounds are absorbed by the skin at different rates depending on a variety of circumstances. It is important to note that the state of the skin (whether it is dry or injured) will influence absorption. Cuts, acne, and abrasions may all enhance absorption as a result. Inhaling cosmetic components, such as hairspray or talcum powder, or absorbing them via the mucous membranes are two further methods of absorbing cosmetic compounds. Powders are the least rapidly absorbed by the skin, whereas moist substances are the most readily absorbed. Many treatments promise to treat a skin condition, such as acne or dry skin, but include substances that actually aggravate the problem rather than alleviate it. For example, comedogenic, or pore-clogging, chemicals may be included in acne treatment products.

Creams that are intended to cure dry skin may instead deplete the skin's natural oils, which are essential for avoiding dryness in the first place. Some of them include chemicals that penetrate into the skin and breakdown skin oils, defatting the skin as they do so (Lappe, 1996). An increasingly common occurrence is chemical sensitivity, which may manifest itself at any moment, even after long-term usage of a particular substance. According to Erickson (2002), chemical sensitivity symptoms are experienced by 20 percent of the population in the United States as a result of the chemicals in numerous cosmetics. In contrast to conventional cosmetics, natural cosmetics emphasise more traditional skin treatments that have fewer of these harmful side effects, realising that short-term attractiveness does not always outweigh long-term health risks.

Sound dietary habits, a healthy lifestyle, and effective, safe protection applied to the skin's surface are all essential to maintaining its health. The organic make-up company can assist you in achieving healthy, glowing skin by providing a comprehensive range of cosmetics and makeup that is made entirely of natural components and does not include any animal, synthetic, or petroleum-derived chemicals. As a result, our goods are produced to order and include preservatives such as d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and other plant oils that have anti-microbial qualities to keep them fresh.

We encourage you to experiment with our natural products. All of our cosmetics and make-up products are designed on the basis of solid, scientific principles as well as an understanding of the skin's physiology. Naturally derived and vegan, our products will persuade you based on their own merits since they are a wonderful alternative to traditional make-up and cosmetics.