Healthy skin, considered the first line of defense against infections and wounds of the body depends on maintaining a perfect balance between epithelial cells and millions of bacteria and microbes that live on the surface.
It is known that human skin hosts a real bacterial “ecosystem”. A group of American researchers explore in detail the bacteria and germs from the skin surface, to identify new and effective methods to treat diseases affecting the skin.
An American research team, coordinated by Julia Segre, hope that this study will lead to identification of genetic factors, but also those in the environment are responsible for the appearance of eczema, a psoriasis, acne and other skin diseases. U.S. researchers have examined skin samples from 10 volunteers with a good health from 20 different places on the body. Most microbial diversity has been found on the forearms, with an average of 44 different species of bacteria and microbes, the smallest, with 19 distinct species is in the area behind the ears.
This truly ecosystem, has three types of bacteria. One prefers an environment “oily” (between the eyebrows, nose, ears), the other is “wet” (inside the nostrils, under the arms), and another is “dry” (forearms, buttocks).
The soap is very effective in combating bacteria! The idea is that not all bacteria are enemies, and indeed some of us do so well, there is some interdependence between them and healthy skin.
Sure to wash our hands with soap and water before eating, sure to wash our body and head, but without using products that kill all bacteria present on the skin of our body. According to the study published by Science magazine, the skin have between 180 and 200 types of bacteria, which have the sole purpose of protecting the skin from fungi and microbes that are really harmful. American scientists have shown that excessive washing does destroy bacteria that we need.
Use products for children. It would be ideal if we could use natural products, biological washing. They have, however, the disadvantage that they are quite expensive and therefore relatively inaccessible.
But there is a middle path available to everyone. Here are our tips:
* Given up using anti-bacterial products. However many of those have disappeared from the market
* First, read the labels of soaps and shampoos that you buy. Usually there are more than 10-15 ingredients in the product. Choose the one with a composition as simple.
* Do not be fooled by the inscription “natural” appearing on many products. It’s just a marketing strategy!
* Use natural ingredients. Wash your head with egg yolk and rinse yourself with herbal infusion (chamomile, calendula or walnut leaves).