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— La'NA'

When they learn the scientific term for skin, kids love to tease with such a remark to make unknowing friends wonder, What part of me do you see?

At the same time, the health of all our skin cells–both above and beneath the surface–influence how well we look.  Hormones get blamed for so much—including the condition of your skin.  Not to forget the ageing process—as though we really want to be reminded.  Additionally, our skin faces a mixture of environmental elements, including exposure to sun, wind, cold, heat, and offensive chemicals.

 While protecting your skin will help preserve its natural beauty, you’ll want to consider which elements of your skin’s natural tones and textures you most want to enhance and which you’d rather minimize.  To highlight your skin’s attributes and tackle its problems, let’s begin by understanding how your skin works.    Only then can you make informed decisions about how to give your skin the best possible care.

Your skin is a self-renewing coverall made up of separate layers, each responsible for certain functions.  The top layer is the epidermis, covered in a paper thin layer of skin that you see with the naked eye.  Next is the dermis, followed by subcutaneous fat.

The epidermis, in turn, is divided into several layers: the basal cell layer, the spinous cell layer, the granular cell layer, and the stratum corneum.

1. The relatively thin yet somewhat coarse shield of dead skin cells called the stratum corneum comprises the outermost layer of the epidermis.

2. Next, the dermis, the thickest layer, consists of elastic tissue and collagen, which are proteins, that make up the bulk of your skin and keep it taught, smooth, and resilient.  This tissue also enables your skin to stretch when you smile and talk, and then return to its normal shape.  Nerves, sebaceous glands and sweat glands that bubble oil and sweat to the surface; blood vessels that deliver oxygen and other nutrients as well as the hormones and chemicals that can cause pimples or acne; and hair roots are also within the dermis.

3. Finally, the subcutaneous fat forms a cushioning layer between the skin and the deeper muscles, insulating you from cold and acting as a shock absorber to protect muscles and bones from injury.

No amount of the finest cosmetic can cover up conditions from poorly cared for skin.  You know your skin better than anyone—after all, you wear it every day.  Pampering your skin while cleansing it properly can be a simple daily routine.  Simply put, a good skincare regime includes the following practices:

• Cleansing
• Toning
• Moisturizing
• Protecting

In the amount of time you may spend worrying over your skin, you could have cleansed, toned, and moisturized, and added a weekly routine to include exfoliate and mask.  In March, we detail practical steps with important points about proper care in cleansing.  Using the right techniques isn’t complicated, but many of us end up with extreme measures, subjecting our skin to harsh scrubbing and detrimental chemical combinations; meanwhile, others of us, who are too much in a hurry, fail to take enough time.

We are sophisticated consumers, knowledgeable of individual skin conditions.  If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the various products from which to choose, we want to remind you of the simple basics to skin care—so simple that pampering your skin becomes second nature to you. Feel good about how well you look. Simplicité cleansing regimens for your skin type will be found on the Simplicité page.

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