Adequate skincare can help to restore and prevent further damage of the hydrolipidic barrier, which underlies various dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, acne and rosacea. Ivona Jukić, Master of Pharmacy, writes about optimal everyday skincare for every skin type and why it is very important to maintain the skin healthy.
Skin is the largest organ of our body and it consists of three parts - epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. In addition to being involved in thermoregulation and excretion, skin prevents the occurrence of chemical, physical and microbiological damage, protects us from UV radiation and maintains a balance between water retention and water loss. The basic barrier function of the skin is in its uppermost layer - the stratum corneum.
Healthy skin effectively protects us from external factors, is slightly moist and flexible to the touch and serves as a resistant shield against environmental stressors, irritants and allergens. Its damage impairs the natural protection and it becomes dry, sensitive and prone to irritation. Adequate skincare can help to restore and prevent further disruption of the hydrolipidic barrier, which underlies various dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, acne and rosacea because its imbalance causes inflammatory symptoms such as flaking, itching, redness and inflammation.
What is the best way for proper cleansing?
Choosing the ideal daily cleanser for sensitive skin is one of the most important steps in maintaining a healthy skin barrier. If we used makeup and / or an SPF product with UV protection filters during the day, the first step of skincare should include Atomic, a lipid-based cleanser that will gently, without drying out and damaging the balance of the hydrolipidic barrier, remove impurities.
The second step is Amphibian, a water-based cleanser that will cleanse the skin of all residual impurities and prepare it for the rest of your skincare products. With cleansers, it is important to pay attention to the fact that the pH of the product is similar to that of the skin - 5.5, and that the surfactants contained in such a product are skin-compatible, amphoteric and amino acid ones. Also, cleansers that contain humectants will keep drying effect to a minimum, and those that contain SLS, SLES, astringents, soaps, alcohols and abrasive particles could further dry the skin out, so these ingredients are best to be avoided.
Hydration for every skin type
After removing surface impurities, it is necessary to compensate for the lost moisture. By applying the super-hydrating essence Nectar, which, in addition to a balanced pH (5.5), also contains intense moisturizers such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, amino acids, urea and lactic acid, we restore lost moisture to the skin and slow down its evaporation, strengthening its barrier function.
Depending on your skin type, the next step in skincare will include lighter or richer textures of serums, emulsions and creams. Oily skin types will prefer lighter textures of Infrared - a soothing and hydrating serum for inflammation-prone skin or Hydra B or Spectra serum emulsions. Each of these products will, depending on the formulation, further soften and smooth the skin and supply it with soothing, antioxidant and supportive ingredients such as vitamins B3 (niacinamide) and B12, provitamin B5 (panthenol), allantoin, ectoine, betaine, madecassoside, resveratrol and herbal extracts of oats, green tea, ginkgo, licorice or Centella asiatica.
Those with dry skin will like Úna - a protective cream with a richer texture with gentle emollients, beta glucan and ceramide precursors that repair damaged skin barrier function along with balancing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that deeply nourish the skin. Also, keep in mind that the products we use for damaged and sensitive skin should be hypoallergenic, without the addition of fragrances, alcohol, synthetic dyes and other irritants.
