Why Skin Maintenance?
by Jolene
Schwartz
zone3
Your awareness of changes to your skin may come as a sudden surprise,
but that change doesn’t happen over night. We unknowingly torment our skin
with environmental toxins during most of our lives and if you live in a
city, exposure to gritty city pollution, smog and car exhaust is
inevitable. A hectic business lifestyle exposes you to oxygen-depleted,
recycled air on planes, trains and in office buildings, along with greater
stress levels and increased daily exposure to sun. Outdoor hobbies expose
you to extreme cold, heat, sun, wind, and rain and did I mention the
everyday irritants like cigarette smoke, cleaning agents, even carpet and
vinyl off-gassing effect your skin. The stamina of our 9 layer, 1/8”
thick, skin is incredible and there is little we can do to stop the
environment from confronting our skin every day, but there are ways to
protect and repair the skin with new unique product formulations and
technologies that offer better and more user friendly ways to make skin
maintenance a simple part of every day life:
• Cleanse twice a day to remove dirt, dead skin cells and accumulated
oils. Please note that aggressive cleansing does not benefit the skin; in
fact it disrupts the protective shield of the outer most surface of the
skin, the epidermis. DO NOT use deodorant soap; it is much too harsh and
dehydrates your face. A gentle cleanser with warm (not hot) water is the
best.
• Shaving after (or in) the shower is the best way to a smooth,
irritation-free skin; warm water and steam soften the beard while making
the skin moist and pliable. Hot steel cuts more efficiently so rinse the
blade with hot water before you start. Products that provide a good
lubricating barrier can make this a “hair-raising” but easy
experience.
• Hydrate twice a day because cell renewal slows as we age causing less
natural moisture to be manufactured while more surface moisture
evaporates. A good moisturizer contains a mix of water attracting and
water holding ingredients; today’s new technologies are providing
lightweight, non greasy alternatives.
• Sun Protection is a daily must! Sun exposure is the greatest
aggressor to the skin by far, and UV damage is the most under-rated
assault to your body today. You may need a range of sunscreen products for
your lifestyle; minimal coverage for everyday runs in and out of the house
and office, and higher SPF coverage for weekends and sports, especially
while driving the car. That gradation on the windshield is NOT
sun-protection, it’s just a smoke grey color, and the sun’s reflected UVA
deeply penetrates window glass ALL year long.
• Exfoliate 1-2 times per week. Exfoliation is the process of sloughing
off dead skin cells to stimulate the growth of fresh cells while helping
to unclog pores, and open pores lift beard hair for easier shaving.
Exfoliants usually come in two forms; a granular scrub that removes dead
skin cells from the surface, and a fruit acid or enzyme to break down the
bonds between new and old cells, making it easier to remove dead cells to
reveal smoother, healthier looking skin.
Environmental aging accounts for 70% of the dermal aging process; if
you are diligent about your skin maintenance you have over 100
opportunities a month to calm, soothe and protect your skin from
environmental assaults.
Start putting your best face out there Today …
© 2005 Jolene Schwartz
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jolene Schwartz is a grooming specialist for over 20 years; as a master
barber and licensed cosmetologist in her own men’s salon. She launched http://appearancesformen.com/ e-com site; writing monthly
columns about men’s products, lifestyle, and offering the finest in men’s
grooming products.
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