Page 19 - Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture Booklet

Moisturizing

The use of moisturizers by those with dryer or normal-to-dry skin and those inhabiting
drier, windy climates can be very beneficial in terms of improving the skin’s barrier
function, and reducing irritation as well as sensitivity. Moisturizing may also be a
necessary procedure during the Winter months when relative humidity levels are low and
the use of indoor heating systems potentially leads to the creation of unusually arid
interior environments.

Skin dryness also tends to increase with age so that most people over forty will have
some degree of the condition. Dryness tends to be particularly severe in women around
the time of menopause, possibly due to the lower levels of circulating estrogens which are
characteristic of this phase in life, so a regular moisturizing routine for this group
may be particularly beneficial.

The benefits for those with oily skin, however, are questionable as the abundant surface
oils that they produce can provide sufficient emollient and moisturizing effects for their
needs.

Exfoliation

Routine exfoliation, performed once or twice per week as according to an individual’s
skin type, can be of particular benefit to those with a slower rate of cellular turnover. This
phenomenon becomes more pronounced past the fourth decade of life and can lead to