Skin is the largest organ of the body. It is often referred to as” the window of your overall health.”  When you are in a healthy state body, mind and spirit your skin will reflect that and the opposite is true when you are not.

We all know that unresolved stress anywhere in our body can be a catalyst for a poor diet, lack of sleep and other bad habits.  The skin is usually the first sign that things aren’t right inside.  It’s important to recognize what triggers your stress and find healthy ways to deal with them.

I thought you might enjoy some fun skin facts:

• Humans shed millions of dead skin flakes every minute.
• An adult’s skin weighs about 7 pounds, has 300 million cells, and covers about two square meters (about the same size of a shower curtain).
• The skin is between 1.5mm and 4 mm thick, about as thick as a few sheets of paper.
• The thickest areas of skin are in the planter and palmer regions (hands and feet).
• When a body heats up, millions of coiled sweat glands discharge sweat and salts to the surface and evaporation begins to cool the body in seconds.
• Just below the surface the dermis layer of skin provides nutrients to miles of blood vessels.
• The brain and skin become connected very early in fetal development. Even in the womb, a baby’s hand can feel its way to its mouth.
• Touch is the very first sense to develop.
• The skin’s nerves are sensitive enough to feel the weight of a mosquito as it lands.
• On average, each square inch of skin contains 10 hairs, 15 sebaceous glands, 100 sweat glands and 3.2 feet of blood vessels.
• Skin provides protection, conveys sensation, sends signals, regulates temperature, produces vitamin D3, and helps rid our bodies of unneeded or threatening components and it is elastic.

Sunscreen News Effective December 18, 2012 new rules will go into effect for the labeling of any product claiming to having sun protection of SPF 15 or higher.  This change is due primarily because we as the consumers were confused as to which products gave us the best protection based on their labels.  Let’s face it, they are confusing and often lead to poor choices and improper use of sunscreen.  You won’t see “waterproof” claimed on a sunscreen anymore. Summer can cause skin to be dry.  Here are some easy recipes you can make in your own kitchen: Sugar Scrub 1 egg white 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon cottage cheese (Sugar gently sloughs off dead skin and egg whites have a tonic action) Preparation:  In a small bowl, beat the egg white.  Add the sugar and cottage cheese and mix well. Use this twice a month for a sweet glow. Banana-Yogurt Moisturizer 1 tablespoon plain yogurt ½ banana 1 teaspoon olive oil This recipe is rich in vitamin A and potassium.  Olive oil will help to your skin retain moisture all day long. Application:  Apply this to your face every morning and again in the evening after cleansing.  Splash with warm water and pat dry. *recipes found in Return to Beauty by Narine Nikogosian ]]>