The skin has 3 basic layers: Epidermis, Dermis, and Fat Layer.

• The Epidermis is a protective coating of 18-23 layers of dry, flat, dead skin cells bound together with fats, cholesterol, sweat and environmental factors. This layer is formed when the fresh cells push their way to the surface and flatten and die. It is thinner than tissue paper and it constantly sloughs off. When you are young the skin cell turnover is every 28-30 days. By 60 years of age, the skin cell turnover is every 45-60 days. This layer serves to help your skin hold in moisture and oil to provide a protective barrier.
• The dermis is the second layer of your skin, which makes up 90% of the skin’s thickness, and the place where much of the important work is done. This is your skin’s nerve center, containing the nerve endings that are sensitive to pressure, pain, and temperature. This layer also contains the blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat and oil glands that produce your skin’s acid mantle, and the connective tissue, a dense meshwork of two types of proteins that give the skin elasticity and strength. The acid mantle is a thin coating of oil and perspiration that protects against infection.
• The fat layer is located under the dermis and the epidermis. This layer of mostly fat protects and cushions the inner organs as well as insulating from heat and cold. It also keeps the skin plump and smooth.
   

Our skin is easily damaged by external causes like pollution, sunlight, environmental toxins, harsh soaps and detergents. It is also affected by internal causes such as a ntruient deficient diet, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption, stress, sleep deprivation and free radicals. Hormone loss and changes in hormones affect skin as well as aging, a process that begins at the cellular level.

Solutions include antioxidants, whole food nutrition, water and organic skin care. Antioxidants are nutrients that have the ability to fight, reverse and stop free radical damage to one extent or another. What is put on your skin absorbs within 90 seconds so be careful not to add free radicals to your skin by the water you drink and wash with.

For further information call Joyce Rizzo of Healthy Home Products at 321-6371924 or visit www.ecoquest.com/rizzoair.