More than three centuries ago, an English poet penned that infamous line, "beauty is but skin deep". Sir John Davies was certainly right in linking beauty with skin; little did he know how true the statement was. Personally, I take skin care very seriously. It is my canvas for great make-up application and it is my calling card.

Skin has a personality, just like you do. When the skin is constantly abused, it will react by having blemishes, wrinkles, roughness, flakiness and a lack of color may appear. The skin needs care and attention on a daily basis to maintain a healthy and attractive appearance. The structure of the skin for each person is basically the same, the functioning of the various glands and the reactions of the skin to its environment can vary greatly between all of us.

The skin is the largest organ of the body which covers your entire body and protects it from outside particles; and this is why I find skin theory so fascinating.

The skin performs seven basic functions;

• Sensation: Nerve endings just under the outer layer of the skin which makes you aware of heat cold, touch, pain and pressure.
• Hydration: The skin contains water to keep it soft and supple. It secretes both perspiration and sebaceous fluid that maintains your skin's moisture balance.
• Absorption: The skin allows certain substances like water and oxygen pass through its tissues.
• Regulation: Helps to maintain your body temperature.
• Protection: Shields your body from heat, cold, bacteria and other aspects of the environment
• Excretion: The skin eliminates sweat, salt, wastes from the body along with other toxins.
• Respiration: The skin takes in oxygen through its pores and releases carbon dioxide.

The skin is composed by two main divisions, the epidermis and dermis:

• The epidermis is the outer most layer of the skin also known as the scarf skin the one we cleanse, moisturize and apply make-up to. The dermis is the inner layer known as the true skin and let it thin out and the skin become loose and wrinkled.
• The dermis layer is composed of connective tissues. Connective tissues are made up of a semi-fluid substance containing collagen proteins and elastin fibers which helps to give the skin its elastic quality. It is in this layer where most of the aging process takes place. Also in the dermis can be found are the sweat and oil glands, sensory nerve endings and blood vessels.

The skin never quits working; a surprisingly sturdy kind of wrapping paper for our body. It covers our bones, muscles and tissues. It also performs some very necessary health services, such as disposing of mineral wastes. It acts as a barrier to the onslaughts of bacteria. It warns you if you are in danger. Remember the last time you held a match or lighter for too long. It also conveys our emotions. Just try to be irritated, angry, shy, frightened, or embarrassed without telling the whole world about it.

What I also find fascinating about the skin is its capability to constantly renew itself. You get a whole new skin in about a month's time; it varies depending on your age. Young skin renews itself much more often then mature skin. It sheds more than you realize, mostly at night when you are sleeping. And it repairs itself nobly- cut it, scrape it, peel it, scratch it, pinch it and it will heal itself. Not all in the same manner and in the same length of time.

Approximately one-third of your blood stream flows throughout it. This is why you are capable of blushing. And there are always bacteria on the surface of your skin, a perfectly normal condition that you don't have to worry yourself about. You can count on your skin to keep out of any harmful bacteria via its acid mantle. You do the rest when you cleanse your skin.

A vital point to remember about your skin is like your personality, it is all yours. It is original and as such deserves the very best care. That means helping it stay its healthy best from the inside as the outside. A well balanced diet, plenty of water and sufficient rest are all skin care essentials, along with regular cleansing, moisturizing and protection.

Think about it most of us spend a fortune at the make-up counter buying all the latest shades of lipstick, eye colour, bronzers, blushes and more without a thought to skin care. There are many companies out there are good for your skin. Basically if you cleanse with a cleanser that is detergent free and moisturize with ingredients that do not clog your pores the better off your skin is.

I don't believe that you need to spend hundreds of dollars for a good cream. Regardless of your financial situation, a daily skin regiment is necessary to keep a youthful image. Choose a program that is best suited for you. If you are having problems deciding what to use please call me and I will work with you to establish a daily regiment.

Cleansing: I use a mild 3 in 1 cleanser to cleanse my face in the morning. A mild cleanser, detergent free and pH balanced will not strip the acid mantle. The acid mantle provides your skin with natural moisture. I find that detergents and soap bars strip that natural moisture from my skin. It is best not to strip your skin in the morning because you are removing what Mother Nature has given you.

Moisturizer: I use a moisturizer that contains a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). It protects my skin all day long. SPF's should be used all year round. My moisturizer also changes with the seasons, during the warm & sunny months I use a lighter weight moisturizer and during the colder months I use a heavier cream due to the harshness of winter. I am careful to use an eye cream light in weight (oil free) because the skin around the eye area is much thinner than the rest of your face. A heavy eye cream on your eye lid will make the skin sag.

Water: There are key functions of the skin that deal with your intake of water; hydration, absorption, regulation, excretion and respiration. To keep your skin in optimum condition, you should drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Without water your body can not pump moisture to your skin. Fluids that contain caffeine (coffee & some Sodas) are not considered water.

Cleanse: I use an eye make-up remover to remove my eye make-up. I find the best is made by Mary Kay® Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover. I apply my 3 in 1 cream cleanser leave it on for about a minute to help remove my make-up with a warm clean moist face cloth. This allows it to dissolve all pollutants from the air plus the make-up removers and rinse it off. Please note a face cloth should only be used once and then put into the laundry.

Serum: I use a night serum in the evening that works in conjunction with my moisturizer. It helps to repair any damage from pollutants in the air while I rest.

Moisturize: At night I like to use a heavier cream usually as it helps to repair my skin from everyday pollutants while I rest.