Differences in Societies

The way different peoples look after their skin is often dictated by the degree of affluence.

In rural parts of Africa women still make crude bars of soap using crude potassium hydroxide produced from burnt tree bark. Many use coconut oil as a moisturizer.

In addition many women try to lighten their skin by using skin creams containing certain drugs. Steroid creams are freely available for sale in some places, as are creams containing skin-lightening ingredients called hydroquinones. In the developed world these ingredients can legally be incorporated in low concentrations in well-formulated cosmetic preparations.

This Asian lady uses chemicals (hydroquinones) to lighten her facial color.

Four generations of one family: from childhood to old age, appropriate skin care is important to them all.

Decorative cosmetics, chosen for a special occasion, enhance what Nature gave.

And finally...

We hope you have enjoyed reading this book and that it has provided a clear explanation of what skin is, what it does and how we can look after it.

Remember that the way our skin looks is a combination of what we were born with, how long we have lived, how much we have damaged it and how well we looked after it.

The most important messages for a lifetime's care are:
1	Protect children's skin from the sun
2	Teach good skin care from a very young age
3	As a teenager, cleanse regularly to keep acne at bay
4	As an adult, cleanse regularly with mild products
5	Avoid the sun
6	Use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen against UVA and UVB, and a night moisturizer as well
7	Take extra care of the face and hands
8	Well-formulated anti-aging products can help fight multiple signs of aging
9	In later years use heavier-duty moisturizers, particularly at night
10	Always read the instructions!