Trace Your Skin Texture Across the Body Landscape
Go ahead, explore your body landscape. Create your own map of where the rough spots are, where the smooth and winding curves intertwine. Where is it soft, bumpy, scratchy, or discolored? People tend to focus more on their face, but we are not backyard explorers, we want to see the world, in this case our whole body from head to toe. Revelations will occur just as if you are on a road trip discovering different landforms. Your skin’s surface is alive with texture. What condition is it in? How smooth does your skin feel?
Let’s start with arid, dry areas.
The most common places where you may find dry skin areas is in your lower legs, hands and arms. When that’s the case, your skin barrier or the acid mantle layer which is the top thin layer of the skin has likely been impaired by a lack of healthy fats or an increase in the skin’s PH levels. This top layer contains natural oils that trap moisture in keeping the skin soft and smooth. A lack of moisture on this layer, high Ph levels and diminished oils results in dry skin. Your skin may turn red like the sandstone cliffs in Utah. It can become flaky or itchy as if walking the sand dunes in Southern California.
In arid landscapes, erosion processes mold the landforms. It’s a delicate balance and so it is with our skin surfaces. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells leaving a smoother, brighter appearance. Dehydrators may include dry air but also fragrance, soaps formulated to remove oil, and hard water that leaves a film on the skin blocking moisturizers from absorbing. Natural skin care products such as YASOU body cream containing vitamins A and C can counteract deposits from hard water and leave the skin smooth and supple. Hot showers and aggressive washing can
upset the skin surface balance causing dryness. Water plays a role in all surfaces including our skin. It hydrates cells, plumping them so drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Explore rough or porous areas
Whether you are exploring the Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon or your own skin surfaces environment plays a role. Sun exposure, pollution, chemicals or dirt can create rough textures in your skin. Such elements may strip the skin of natural collagen and elasticity. A mineral zinc-based formula sunscreen can protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Regular gentle cleansing morning and night followed with moisturizer will nourish the skin. Think calming creek rather than crashing waves to smooth out the rough areas.
Porous areas are found throughout the body but unseen by the naked eye. Hair follicles are pores that lubricate the skin and are found everywhere except on the palms of our hands and soles of our feet. Sweat pores cool the body. They cluster under the arms, on the hands and feet and in the groin but they too are found throughout the body. These pores allow water to pass through your skin. Like crevices carved by rivers in mountains and canyons. Pore size and visibility is determined from where we came – genetics, and where we’ve been – age. However, it can be manipulated the way a dam might do for a river. Deep cleaning and exfoliating regularly along with facials or a light peel can help. If it’s a concern, talk over options with a dermatologist. Pore size and visibility do get bigger as we age. Preserving elasticity of the skin refines the texture.
Under each of those pores is a sebaceous gland that creates oils. Oily skin is also genetically linked and age related, but it may also depend on where you live, the seasons, and lifestyle choices such as choosing the right skin care products.
Hold on at bumpy, dull areas
The buildup of dead skin cells is the most likely culprit for bumpy, dull skin. Exfoliate regularly and you will see a brighter, smoother skin texture. Like the morning sun over a mesa after a rainfall. In the natural world glaciers with their large ice sheets were effective at erosion, rounding off ridges of mountains and enlarging valleys. You can do the same with a brush and a scrub covering your whole body, smoothing it out to a soft shimmering plain where hands can happily roam through its softness.
You’ve arrived
Just like putting on a seatbelt before you hit the road, there are preventive steps to always ensure a smooth ride ahead for your skin. Hydrate your whole body with a natural body cream you love. Apply when your skin is still damp to lock in the moisture. Don’t wait until your skin feels dry. Eat healthy foods, get at least seven hours of sleep each night, exercise, and drink several glasses of water each day.
Whatever you discover while exploring your skin textures we hope you enjoy the journey! (photo: breaking pic | pexels)