Mother Nature has gifted us lots of herbs with mystical properties to take care of our health and beauty. We are born with a soft, gentle and smooth skin but not many of us can maintain the same texture and tone. This is because most of us deal with our skin carelessly when young, which results in various skin problems affecting beauty.

Understanding the skin structure and function will enable us to make an active use of our skin in relating more positively to the environment.

Skin consists of three layers ? the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. The surface epidermis is a relatively thin layer; beneath the epidermis is the thicker and much stronger dermis. The subcutaneous tissue or the fat-containing layer lies below the dermis.

The Epidermis ? It is a fairly thin layer. Its thickness varies around the body, depending on the special needs of that area. For instance the epidermis over the eyelids is particularly thin, while that over the palm and sole is very thick.

The Dermis ? The dermis is a much thicker layer than the epidermis. It is made up of a connective tissue framework in which are embedded blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, several types of glands, hair and a whole variety of cells. The connective tissue of the dermis is made of up predominantly of a protein called collagen. Elastin is the other type of protein fibers in the dermis. The dermis also contains a complex system of blood and lymph vessels and a highly complicated nervous system.

The subcutaneous ? Below the dermis is the fat storage area of the skin. The amount of the fat stored varies in different parts of the body.

- Aloe Vera ? It has a rich water holding capacity and works as a good moisturizing cream gel.

- Vegetable oils ? They are very nutritive, apart from being useful in burns, scalds and as natural hair oil.

- Camphor ? It is an effective antiseptic and an excellent liniment for skin problems like pimples. It gives very good results when used in combination with other herbs.

- Holy Basil ? It is a wonderful medicinal herb that is widely used in a number of skin problems.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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