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The Skin and its rhythms
Our skin is an integral part of our whole body environment, and it is affected by the things that happen inside and outside. It acts as a protective barrier, preventing harmful substances and disease organisms from entering our body. It controls the loss of body fluids and minerals, and helps to control the body temperature. And it performs all these functions continuously, in ways that keep us stable and healthy in a world that is constantly changing around us; changing seasons, temperatures, humidity, day length and light intensity.
The Hormones and the Skin
And the environment inside our bodies also changes constantly and
rhythmically. We women know that our bodies have a monthly rhythm – the
menstrual cycle – a whole host of hormones in a cycle of continuous
flux every month of our lives, from puberty to the menopause.
Scientists have shown that these cyclical hormonal changes have
profound influences on a woman’s skin ( Wiechers et al, 2007). In women
the dominant sex hormone is oestrogen, but we also have other
fluctuating hormones such as progesterone and low levels of the male
sex hormone, testosterone. The amounts of these hormones, and their
levels relative to one another, affect the skin moisture content and
lipid production (oiliness), as well as the elasticity and protective
qualities of the skin. High oestrogen levels and high oestrogen:
testosterone ratios improve the skin moisture content. Many women
notice an improvement in their skin and hair during pregnancy because
of the natural rise in oestrogen level. On the other hand, low
oestrogen levels after menopause mean we are likely to notice our skin
becoming drier and less elastic as we age. Raised testosterone levels –
one of the side-effects of smoking in women – reduce the amount of
moisture in the skin. Diet, age, psychological stress and external
influences such as temperature, humidity and Ultra Violet light also
affect skin health.
The Skin Moisture and Barrier Change
Research has showed that a woman’s skin is driest between days 1 – 6 of
the menstrual cycle (where day 1 is the first day of bleeding).
Oiliness, due to lipid secretion is highest between days 16 – 20 and
this coincides with an increase in the number of microbes on the skin.
The skin barrier is weakest from days 22-26 and it is most susceptible
to damage by sunlight (UV-B) between days 20 – 28 (Muizzuddin et al,
2006).
But menstruation is not the only natural cycle affecting our bodies and
skins. Research also shows that levels of skin sebum (oil) production,
skin water loss and the skin pH all change cyclically during each day
(Le Fur et al, 2001).
So what can we do to care for our skin, to help it function at its best
and keep it healthy and youthful while it keeps on changing? Do we need a product for each time of the month, age and climate? With iRejuvenate Step 1 and Step 2 you can feed your skin in an individual and unique way: at different time of the month, season, climate and age. By blending the 2 products according to your individual needs you can optmise your skin nutrition with only two products!
In winter and when the skin barrier is at its lowest the skin needs more oil nutrients, therefore a higher ratio of iRejuvenate Step 1 is required
In the summer or when the external environment is dry, the skin needs more moisture retaining nutrients, ie iRejuvenate Step 2
Your Skin Is An Everchanging Organ
Traditional Moisturisers Do NotT Allow You To Feed Your Skin In An Interactive Way
iRejuvenate is The First System Designed To Be Interactive With Your Mutable Skin Needs
Le Fur, I., Reinberg, A., Lopez, S., Morizot, F., Mechkouri, M. and Tschachler, E.; Analysis of Circadian and Ultradian Rhythms of Skin Surface Properties of Face and Forearm of Healthy Women; Journal of Investigative Dermatology 117 ( 2001), 718-724.
Muizzuddin, N., Marenus,.K.D. Schnittger, S.F, Sullivan, M. and Maes, D. H.; Effects of Systemic Hormonal cyclicity on skin; International Journal of Cosmetic Science (September/October 2005) pp????
Wiechers, J.W., Rawlings, A.V. and Hansen, W.G., Evidence for the existence of a Body-Brain connection for skin moisturization., IFSCC Magazine (July/September, 2007), 209- 213.
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