With adequate care, we can help the skin to renew itself and prevent further damage to the hydrolipidic barrier, which is the basis of various dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, acne and rosacea. Master of Pharmacy Ivona Jukić writes about daily optimal care for every skin type and why it is important to keep the skin's protective barrier healthy.
The 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, it prevents chemical, physical and microbiological damage, protects us from UV radiation and maintains a balance between water retention and loss. The basic barrier function of the skin is in its uppermost layer - the stratum corneum.
Healthy skin effectively protects us from external influences, it is slightly moist and flexible to the touch and serves as a resistant shield against environmental stressors, irritants and allergens . Its damage disrupts its natural protection and it becomes dry, sensitive and more prone to irritation. With adequate care, we can help the skin to restore itself and prevent further damage to the hydrolipidic barrier, which is the basis of various dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, acne and rosacea, because its imbalance causes symptoms of inflammation such as peeling of the epidermis, itching, redness and inflammatory processes.
How to properly clean the skin?
Choosing the ideal product for daily cleaning of sensitive facial skin is one of the most important steps in maintaining a healthy skin barrier. If we wore makeup and/or an SPF product with UV-protective filters during the day, the first step of care should include Atomic , a lipid-based cleanser, which will gently remove impurities without drying or disrupting the balance of the hydrolipidic barrier.
The second step is Amphibian , a water-based cleanser that will clean the skin of all residual impurities and prepare the skin for the rest of the care. With cleaning products, 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 dermally compatible, amphoteric and amino acid. Also, cleansers containing humectants will reduce drying to a minimum, and those containing SLS, SLES, astringents, soaps, alcohols and abrasive particles could further dry the skin, so it is best to avoid these ingredients.
Hydration for every skin type
After removing surface impurities, it is necessary to compensate for lost moisture. By applying the moisturizing essence Nectar , which, in addition to a balanced pH (5.5), also contains intensive moisturizers such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, amino acids, urea and lactic acid, we restore lost moisture to the skin and maximally slow down its evaporation, thereby strengthening its barrier function.
Depending on the skin type, the next step in skin care will include lighter or richer textures of serums, emulsions and creams. Oilier skin types will prefer the lighter textures of Infrared - a soothing and hydrating serum for inflammation-prone skin or serum emulsions Hydra B or Spectre . Each of these products, depending on the formulation, will additionally soften and smooth the skin and provide it with soothing, antioxidant and supporting ingredients such as vitamins B3 (niacinamide) and B12, provitamin B5 (panthenol), allantoin, ectoin, 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 the damaged barrier function of the skin with vegetable oils of balancing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that deeply nourish the skin. In addition, you should definitely pay attention to the fact that the products we use for damaged and sensitive skin are hypoallergenic, without the addition of fragrance, alcohol, synthetic dyes and other irritants.