Healthy, beautiful skin is possible to achieve, but elusive to
many. Despite the myriad of advertisements claiming that one
cream or one product can give you the smooth, clear,
wrinkle-free complexion that most people hope for, skin care is
in fact a complex process grounded in real science and human
physiology. Many factors contribute to our need for skin care
products, so abstaining altogether from them is not healthy for
our skin either. Healthy skin begins with a basic knowledge of
your skin type, and how to keep it clean, nourished and
protected throughout the year. It also requires a consideration
of our overall diet and nutritional status.

There are four basic steps to successful skin care: cleansing,
toning, moisturizing and special needs such as make-up. Our skin
types are genetically determined, but can vary depending on the
following factors:

diet environment, such as climate change or pollution stress or
anxiety cosmetics and skin care products illness or trauma
hormone levels, such as during puberty, pregnancy or menopause
exercise levels age degree and length of sun exposure

To determine your overall skin type, use this simple blot test.
Press one ply of a dry tissue onto your face for ten seconds,
then remove and examine the results. Balanced skin is damp with
no traces of oil. Dry skin has no oil or moisture residue on the
tissue. Oily skin has left oily and possibly dirt traces on the
tissue. Combination skin has oily and dry marks on the tissue.

Dry Skin

This skin type is characterized by:

dry, flaky patches and is easily chapped feels tight across the
forehead, cheeks and chin itchy and easily irritated sensitive
bruises easily can appear powdery or scaly prone to fine lines
and wrinkles

Dry skin is a result of decreased sebum production, the skin's
indigenous oil, which is important in keeping the skin moist and
lubricated. Consequently, this skin type has less of an oily
barrier, allowing water to evaporate easily through the skin.
This process can be worsened by detergents, heating or air
conditioning, pollution, inadequate skin care, certain chemical
ingredients in cosmetic products, overexposure to sun and wind
and overuse of soaps and alcohol-based products.

Helping to 'restore' dry skin involves protecting the skin with
creamy, oil-based products and avoiding harsh soaps, scrubs or
products which contain alcohol. The Organic Make-up Company
recommends its line of gentle, all natural products,
specifically: oatmeal soap, floral toner once or twice per week,
rich formulation moisturizer in avocado, calendula or jojoba and
facial oil in geranium or avocado at night.

Oily Skin

This skin type is characterized by:

overall shine enlarged pores coarse texture acne spots and
comedones (blackheads) sallow complexion tendency to repel and
run make-up resistance to fine lines and wrinkles

Oily skin is the result of excessive secretions of sebum. It can
be exacerbated by poor health, or a diet high in saturated fats
and sugar. Emotional upset or stress can also trigger more sebum
deposits on the skin. Oily skin is worsened by hormone level
fluctuations, alcohol-based products and harsh soaps, both of
which dry out the skin, thereby activating the oil glands to
produce more sebum. Comedogenic ingredients, such as mineral oil
and other ingredients which are derivatives of petroleum block
pores and can lead to acne spots.

Regular cleansing aids in the removal of bacteria and waxy oils
from the pores. Oily skin responds well to alcohol-free toner
and a lightweight, natural moisturizer. Try the following
products from The Organic Make-up Co. to help 'normalize' oily
skin and reduce significantly the frequency of acne break-outs
and blackheads: Wild Oregano or Chamomile & Calendula soap,
acne-prone toner once or twice per day, regular moisturizer in
calendula, jojoba or grapeseed for daytime and acne-prone facial
oil at night. A gentle exfoliant once per week, such the dual
action exfoliant system offered by The Organic Make-up Co. will
help loosen and remove blackheads.

Balanced Skin

This skin type is rare, and is characterized by:

a creamy colour thickness smoothness firmness few irregularities
or blemishes an even distribution of the skin's natural oil
dryness with age

Balanced skin is worsened by many of the same factors which can
afflict other skin types. Any skin care product offered by The
Organic Make-up Co. will benefit this type of skin.

Combination Skin

Most people have combination skin, with oily areas focused
around the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. Other areas of the
face can at the same time be very dry. All of the products
offered by The Organic Make-up Co. are gentle and effective
enough to treat combination skin, but if you have problems with
acne, follow the recommendations for oily skin.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is not a skin type, but rather a skin condition
which has developed from a skin type. Anyone can develop
sensitive skin, often due to hormonal changes caused by
menopause or pregnancy. This condition can also develop from
allergies to cosmetic ingredients, foods or environmental
factors. Many ingredients made from animal products, petroleum
or synthetics are known allergens for the skin.

The characteristics of this skin condition are:

blotchy, reddened skin broken capillaries high cheek colour
itchy, easily irritated skin chaps and burns easily prone to
break-outs and rashes

This condition is worsened by ordinary soap, synthetic, animal
or petroleum-derived ingredients, astringents, harsh exfoliants
or drying masks, extreme temperatures and climate changes. Use
only mild, soothing formulations on sensitive skin. If an
adverse reaction occurs to any product, such as a burning
feeling, discontinue its use immediately. The Organic Make-up
Co. has found that the following products have given those with
sensitive skin relief and effective skin care: oatmeal soap,
calendula or jojoba moisturizer, hand lotion in calendula and
balanced facial oils for night-time.

Climate Change and Skin Care

Healthy skin is slightly acidic, due to the acid mantle which
covers it. The acid mantle is a combination of sebum and
perspiration designed to protect the skin from the environment.
Each day we lose 850 ml of water through perspiration, so
drinking water is helpful to replace this lost fluid. During the
summer, water loss is more rapid, and humid conditions
accelerate water loss through the skin as the body attempts to
cool itself. As a result, sebum production increases, collecting
on the skin and clogging pores. For many, this process results
in breakouts, so regular cleansing with a mild soap is
recommended.

A good skin care regimen during the summer months is the
following:

Cleansing with a natural, vegetable soap such as chamomile &
calendula or lavender. Exfoliate with the dual action gentle
exfoliant system. Hydrate your skin with acne-prone toner or
floral toner, depending on skin type. Moisturize with sweet
almond or grapeseed moisturizer, regular formulation. Massage
any face oil offered by The Organic Make-up Co. at night. Keep
lips protected and moisturized with sunblocker lip balm, lip
gloss in natural crimson or lip colour palette in strawberry jam
or brick red. Cover up to reduce the amount of exposure to the
sun with a wide brimmed hat, long and loose fitting clothing.
Ninety percent of skin cancers are due to sun damage.

Skin is exposed to very dry environments during the winter
months. Heated homes and offices, wind and extreme temperatures
increase the amount of moisture lost through the skin. Dry,
chapped and flaky skin and lips are not uncommon during this
season and are symptoms of unprotected skin. During the winter
months skin needs more protection and lubrication to inhibit
moisture loss. In addition to regular cleansing and toning,
moisturize the hands, face and neck during the day with a richer
cream, such as The Organic Make-up Co.'s avocado or carrot
tissue in rich formulation face cream. At night, gently massage
geranium or avocado face oil. Keep lips protected with any lip
product from The Organic Make-up Company.

Any skin care discourse which does not include a discussion of
nutrition is lacking a fundamental principle of healthy skin
care. Good health and beauty are synonymous. For instance, a
clogged and spotty complexion can be linked to a diet high in
saturated fats and sugar. Sensitive skin may become worsened by
poor digestion or inadequate absorption of nutrients. Dry flaky
skin may reflect a diet low in fatty acids or vitamin E. Skin
that does not heal quickly may be low in vitamins A, B6, C or
zinc.

A healthy, varied diet helps the skin defend itself against
infection, cell damage and premature aging. Increasing your
daily intake of fresh, raw vegetables and fruit adds vitamins,
antioxidants and water to your diet, all essential elements for
healthy, glowing skin.

Beautiful, radiant skin is within everyone's reach. Knowledge of
your skin type and how to care for your skin all year round,
using all natural cosmetics, combined with a diet rich in fresh,
wholesome foods will help you achieve the skin you have always
wanted.