skin careIt is a major focus of health care, but it is largely overlooked. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is a barrier that protects the human body from the external environment. It is important to note that human skin must always be kept clean and properly maintained in order for it to function properly. However, we don’t pay enough attention to basic daily care, precisely because we lack awareness and understanding of the importance of skin to the human body.
This article mainly discusses the correlation between basic skin cleansing issues and skin care plans, and further emphasizes that we need to wash and bathe at least every day, and use various creams and other moisturizing products to care for our skin to make ourselves look cleaner and more beautiful.
Common skin problems in adults
Dry skin is a common skin problem among adults. Dry skin can be bothersome and painful, and can even cause a range of skin complications such as eczema, chapped skin, and surface roughness and redness. Generally speaking, dry skin is mainly caused by the accelerated loss of water from the epidermis and the decrease of water in the upper layer of the skin (also called the stratum corneum). Dry skin is usually accompanied by a strong urge to scratch, which leaves marks and causes the skin to lose its elasticity, become fragile, and even painful.
Another skin problem we found in older adults is skin aging. But skin aging in the elderly, like facial aging, is a natural biological process that we cannot avoid.
The elasticity of the skin of the elderly decreases with age, and the reduction in collagen levels leads to the formation of wrinkles, which are signs of sagging skin. However, there are other factors that can accelerate the skin aging process, such as stress, diet, substance abuse or chronic illness.

The relevance of basic skin care to our daily care
Normally, human skin is smooth and soft. However, as a large external organ of the human body, the health of our skin is threatened by many external factors and other parameters such as biological decline and life habits at a certain point in time. This results in our skin being in a constant state of flux, responding to internal factors such as our body’s hydration levels, the food we eat or medications we take. On the other hand, external factors that affect skin care include air humidity, irritation, allergens, ultraviolet rays and extreme temperatures.
Ultimately, basic skin care is the only way to ensure that the many factors that contribute to unhealthy skin are contained or minimized. Maintaining healthy skin on all parts of the body ultimately requires awareness, persistence, and cleanliness to promote the skin's physiological functions and reduce its general wear and tear, especially during aging.
8 major functions of skin you should know
In addition to being an important auxiliary organ that meets the physiological needs of the human body, the skin can also meet our needs and expressions for beauty. In every aspect of our social interactions, we subconsciously rely on our skin to boost our self-esteem, use it as a medium for communication, and make ourselves look radiant. Here are some of the basic functions of your skin to understand why you need to follow a strict skin care regimen:
- Helps protect the body;
- Helps in immune protection - epidermis and dermis resist antigen invasion;
- Helps to excrete waste and maintain water balance;
- Helps maintain body temperature;
- Specialized nerve endings help to sense sensations, such as pain and itching;
- Contributes to energy storage in the body (subcutaneous fat);
- PromoteVitamin DSynthesis of
- All skin appearance, including lips, hair, and nails, contributes to psychosocial function and expression.

5 Skin Care Tips You Can Do Right Now
1. Wash your skin regularly with a neutral pH cleanser or soap substitute.
This method is suitable for removing foreign matter from the outermost layer of the skin, especially from sensitive areas of the body. These foreign objects include residual makeup, foundation and even excess oil. Generally speaking, the standard way to cleanse the skin is to wash it with soap, water and soft wipes. When considering convenience and cost, this approach seems to work well.
However, numerous studies have shown that washing a patient's skin with soap and water too frequently can lead to dry skin and deterioration of skin condition. These studies assume that the pH of soap is higher than that of the skin, so they believe that prolonged use of soap will cause the overall pH of the skin to increase, thereby increasing the risk of fungal and bacterial infections.
For this reason, manufacturers have come up with "soap-free" solutions, like baby shampoo, which are at least less offensive. Therefore, for some beauty lovers and people with sensitive skin, using some neutral cleansers and other soap alternatives is a more correct skin care method. This way they enjoy an alternative way to improve skin hygiene and bypass the adverse effects of soap and its harmful chemical ingredients. There are many forms of cleaning products on the market, including gel and lotion, and you can choose according to your preference.
2. Avoid excessive massage and scrubbing - avoid massaging on vulnerable areas
This method is suitable for the whole body, including somesensitive skinareas such as the face and genitals. Try to avoid excessive scratching, touching, rubbing or patting of the skin. These actions may trigger inflammatory chemicals (such as histamine) which can cause injuries/pressure sores.
In addition, a lifestyle habit of massaging and scrubbing the skin may also accelerate skin deterioration in old age, because friction is the main cause of skin tears in the elderly. The right skincare program is to regulate the stress acting on the skin. If possible, try to keep your skin youthful.
3. Reduce skin exposure to harmful moisture
Normally, the skin is slightly acidic, with a pH value between 4.0 and 5.5. Most harmful substances (such as urine) are alkaline, and once they come into contact with the skin, they may cause an immediate chemical reaction on the skin surface. Hazardous materials also include chemicals that escape from pesticides or other highly acidic moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to use no-rinse cleaning products to remove dirt in case of contact.
4. Use skin barrier products (such as creams, ointments, films) to protect vulnerable skin
Sensitive skin often causes symptoms such as redness, scaling, dryness, itching, rashes, and skin eruptions. This is also a sign that your skin barrier is compromised, in other words, your skin lacks the ability to prevent compounds from passing through the epidermis and into the body.
5. Use moisturizing products to maintain skin moisture
Using moisturizing products isTreating dry skinThe first step. Applying a layer of oily substances on the surface of the skin will have a softening effect, thereby increasing the hydration of the epidermis. Moisturizing products come in many forms, including creams, ointments, lotions, bath oils and even soap alternatives. They contain substances such as urea and glycerin that help lock moisture into the skin, making it smooth, supple and comfortable.
Reference sources:
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- Brown A, Butcher M. A guide to emollient therapy. Nurs Stand. 2005;19(24):. doi:10.7748/ns2005.02.19.24.68.c3813
- Kirsner RS, Froelich CW (1998) Soaps and detergents: understanding their composition and Effect. Ostomy Wound Manage 44(3A): 62s–70s
- Held E, Lund H, Agner T (2001) Effects of different moisturizers on SLSirritated human skin. Contact Dermatitis 44(4): 229–34
- Eastern Health (2010) Skin Integrity; its maintenance and support. Http://www.health.vic.gov.au/older/toolkit/09SkinIntegrity/docs/Skin%20 Integrity%20Its%20maintenance%20and%20support%20Attch01.pdf (accessed 20 August, 2020)
- British Association of Dermatologists (2011a) Facts about skin. http://www.bad.org.uk (accessed 20 August, 2020)