The Skinny on Skin

We take our skin for granted, it's there, covering our body, yet we rarely stop to consider its importance or what it does for us. So, what is it? What's it there for? What is it made up of?

Good skin care is the foundation of all beauty. It’s more than just creams and lotions.

What is the definition of healthy skin??

The skin is the largest organ of the body, weighing in at 6 pounds and is 18.2 square feet. It has many functions. It breathes through the pores, it’s elastic and flexible, reproduces itself regularly and it repairs itself when it’s injured. It also provides a barrier to moisture loss, UV light and bacterial and viral infections. And through it all, it maintains its temperature through thermal regulation.

How does body and facial skin differ??

What are the three layers of skin??

-epidermis

-dermis

-subcutaneous

The epidermis layer is actually 8-15 layers thick. The outermost layer is called the stratum corneum. The cells of this layer are bound together by a blend of lipids which have a complex composition, including ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. This layer is mostly cells waiting to be exfoliated. The skin naturally replaces itself every 15-28 days, and this process slows with aging. We need to stimulate the skin to help it replace itself more quickly. The Basal Cells are the lowest layer of the epidermis and is the birthplace of new cells. This is where basal cell skin cancers begin.

The dermis comprises the largest portion of the skin and is often called “the true skin”. It’s the most important layer because it contains blood vessels, hair follicles and sensory nerves. Collagen (supports the skin) and elastin fibers (makes the skin stretchy) are manufactured here. It produces an oil substance called sebum, which forms a coating on the skin’s surface. Younger skin has both and the skin is more flexible and will return more quickly to its shape. Older skin loses both.

The subcutaneous layer is made up mostly of fat cells, which also insulate the body.

What are the major concerns of nearly all men and women??

-signs of aging

-blemishes

-too much oil

We all want to look our best at any age, and as we age we have more skin care concerns.

Think : What does skin aging mean to you??

Here’s an analogy to explain why skin care is so important…imagine luxurious sheets on a lumpy mattress. You won’t get a restful night’s sleep. The sheets are the epidermis and the mattress is the collagen and elastin. It needs to be built up to support the top layers.

Important words to remember:

Oxidation-this is the passage of time and free radicals cause it

Free radicals-these are “runaway” oxygen molecules. It speeds up with skin aging and are in the body and environment all the time. You take vitamins to help counteract this INSIDE the body. You need good skin care to counteract it outside the body. The three most important vitamins used topically are Vitamin A (helps prevent aging), Vitamin E (adds emolliency) and Vitamin C (helps with clarity of the skin).

Here’s an example of how to prove how well Vitamin C (and products containing it) work. Take an apple and cut it in half. Apple some Clearly C or Ultimate Day cream on it half and let them both sit out for awhile. The untreated apple starts turning brown. The treated half remains white. Imagine the dark spots to be the sun damage to the skin and the other half to be what happens, in time, with treatment.

What do you think causes 9 out of every ten wrinkles?

What’s the most important thing you can use on your skin to prevent them??

Important fact!! Every day your skin fights a battle with the environmental elements that cause aging. Good skin care products help your skin win that battle. Things to think about ...

Some people believe that using skin care products is a total waste of time and money. That using plain soap and water is ok. What's the truth? Why or why not??

Are tanning beds healthier than the sun??

Can UVA rays pass through glass and clouds? They penetrate more deeply into the skin than UVB rays, which are most prevalent on sunny days. Should you use sunscreen every day whether you’re indoors or not??

UVA rays are the ones that AGE the skin.

UVB rays are the ones that BURN the skin.

80% of all damage to the skin is done by the SUN!!!

Do you know YOUR skin type??

If you have skin that feels tight after washing it and has too little oil, it’s DRY.

If you have skin that has too much oil and is very shiny, it’s OILY.

If you feel that it’s somewhere in-between, then it’s NORMAL.

Under these three skin types we also have two primary skin conditions. These two conditions can be a part of normal, oily or dry skin.

Sensitive skin-a condition of the skin where it reacts to allergens, the sun, wind etc. It often flushes more readily than other skin.

Premature aging-the amount of aging is evidenced by the skin. Wrinkles, “age” spots (really sun spots) and lack of firmness are seen in this skin condition.

An important fact to remember is that aging skin and sensitive skin are NOT skin types. Your type is normal, oily or dry. You can have either or both skin condition with any skin type.

Understanding your needs is critical to helping you to choose what’s right for you and your skin.

The five universal skin care steps are:

Cleanse - essential to use the cleanser that’s correct for your skin type.

Tone - this returns the skin to the proper PH balance and gets the last bits of dirt off the skin.

(Many cleansers clean AND tone so the second step can sometimes be eliminated)

Treat - an essential step, using the correct treatments and knowing which ones to pik for which "problem"

Moisturize - EVERYONE needs to moisturize. Moisture=water, not oil

Eyes - remember that products designed for the skin should never be used in the “raccoon area” of the eyes. That’s why we have special eye products.

What’s the most commonly asked question when it comes to skin care?

WHAT ORDER DO I USE PRODUCTS???

Follow the list above. Use in that order, remembering to wash your hands before applying the eye cream.

The biggest challenge is determining which treatments to use and in which order! Remember that in general, it’s lightest to heaviest. The order is NOT essential however. If you forget and use a heavier item first, it won’t do any damage!! Some products specifically say to use on bare skin. Make sure you follow those instructions!! That means that they’re going to go down deep and “do their thing”!!

Another important thing to remember…

All of the AVON brands are designed to be compatible. For example, if you are budget conscious but wants the BEST anti-aging, you can use Basic Solutions for your cleanser and toner and then use an ANEW product (or more!) to resolve your aging issues.

In general…

You wants simplicity, try nutraeffects.

You want cutting edge technology and THE best in anti-aging, use ANEW.

For innovation, try MARK.

For solutions for problem skin, use Clearskin.

AVON has been at the forefront of ALL major skin care breakthroughs. When the first Anew product came out, it was because AVON DEVELOPED the alpha-hydroxy acids and were first to market. Every other company, bar none, has used OUR formula in their products. No one has anything like the Elixir…the ones that come close cost considerably more.

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AVON's premier skin care line is Anew, and that line is further divided into 4 distinct regimens as well as a range of treatments in the Clinical collection. Each has been geared for the different concerns that women experience with their skin. 

Although age may well be the deciding factor for many, and predict which products they will choose, lifestyle can age a younger skin as well, and make it require more help.