By Mary Berkery
Your skin is a living, functioning, rhythmical organ. It is about 2mm thick and has approximately 3.5 million pores, making it semi-permeable. It has 3 distinct layers and is the largest organ of the body.
Within 24 hours of conception, the initial two cells start dividing – one forming the skin, the other the brain and spinal cord. Skin is the sensory aspect of the brain and is often called the “outer brain”. It continually transmits messages from the periphery to the core, with an immediate response in return, e.g. when you touch something hot, you pull away.
It is an organ of elimination, eliminating excess fluids and acidity through its many pores. In traditional Chinese medicine, when hands are damp or clammy it indicates poor kidney function.
It is an organ of absorption, so one needs to be careful what they put on their skin. Live Food expert David Woulfe says, “You should not put on your skin what you cannot eat.”
It reflects your inner being. We all have been in situations where we are embarrassed or nervous; skin lets you down with blushing and blotches.
Outside influences such as weather conditions, seasonal changes and air conditioning affect it. Over exposure to the sun’s rays can damage the collagen and elastic fibres. However, some sun exposure is needed to promote its health and aid in the formation of vital Vitamin D.
From within, it is fed by nutrients from the blood supply. High vibrational, live foods are rich in Omega-6 oils, Vitamin A, C and E, silica and sulphur, which all affect skin radiance from inside. Proper hydration and, if possible, ionized alkalinized water is of paramount importance to glowing skin.
Your skin, like every other organ, has a rhythm. It renews itself every 28-30 days, where the lower layers of the dermis have moved to the surface and then slough off… in the beauty business, we say it desquamates.
It has different functions at different times of the day. During the night, it regenerates itself, produces its own natural oils and eliminates by-products of cell metabolism. By day, this protective oil mantle, called sebum, acts as an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral barrier. We can weaken this natural function with incorrect use of heavy, oily night creams and over washing with harsh soap products.
Working as a Beauty Tutor, I realized that most methods of attending to different skin conditions was similar to orthodox medicine, where one removes or camouflages the problem. There was very little understanding as to how the imbalance appeared on the skin. This requires whole-person solutions, looking at nutritional as well as emotional aspects. While in Switzerland, I deepened my studies with Physiognomy – which shows how the face and skin reflect the conditions of the inner body.
Physiognomy: Skin Colour and Tone
High colouring often reflects heart and circulatory problems… meat, sugar and a sedentary lifestyle can cause this.
If the skin is pale and lacking in vitality, it can show lung depletion, often due to too much dairy and processed wheat products.
A yellow pallor shows a congested liver and gall bladder, which can be due to heavy, fatty foods, alcohol and drugs.
A grey pallor can indicate kidney weakness. An acidic diet, sodas and caffeine drinks can weaken the kidneys.
Blotches and blemishes often reflect an inner imbalance from an over acidic diet. I had a client with white heads all over her face. My recommendation was to cut out all dairy food from her diet. Soon after, all the white heads disappeared.
Total care requires “inner cosmetic care” – alkalizing nutrition and hydration. For outer cosmetic care, use natural skin care rituals with certified organic botanical product ranges. These aid the skin’s function and rhythm rather than inhibiting it.
Your skin reflects you (mentally, physically and emotionally). Proper care maintains its radiance, prevents premature wrinkling, dryness and blemishes. Michio Kushi, founder of Macrobiotic Medicine at the Kushi Institute, says, “The skin should look like a bubbling spring, reflecting the inner vitality of the whole person.”
A Radiant You – Sat, Oct 15th, 2-5pm
Tips, recipes and rituals to vitalize and renew your whole being.
mary@livingbeauty.ie
