What is the mechanism of our skin moisture retention?
In the body, there are two main systems that support the water balance of the skin: osmotic and saline. Osmotic mechanism works quite simply. Water passing through the thin vascular wall, falls into the dermis, where one part is converted into a gel by means of hyaluronic acid and other vaporized through the surface of the skin (epidermal horny layer). The physiological mechanism operates on a different principle. Hygroscopic molecule (lactic acid, urea, et al.), Contained in the stratum corneum are the natural moisturizing factor in the human body. These molecules are able to bind and hold moisture coming from the cosmetics, water and air.
What is the reason for the lack of moisture?
Appearance of the skin, its structure and texture ensures the correct water balance. Violation of metabolic processes in the body are reflected on our skin, as litmus paper.
The appearance of sagging, microcracks, dryness and tightness of the skin - the warning signs of dehydration. Due to lack of moisture set, the main of them are known to us firsthand:
- Age person affects the level of water in the body. The older the person, the more it below.
- Water-retaining particles are washed out during improper skin care.
- Thinning of the stratum corneum which leads to the active removal of moisture through the pores.
- Crash in the exchange of unsaturated fatty acids, which causes difficulty in the synthesis of epidermal lipids.
- Polluted environment, sudden changes in temperature, intense ultraviolet radiation apply to external reasons of lack of moisture.
How to avoid dehydration of the skin and maintain its normal state?
Inside our skin protects hyaluronic acid, which is produced by the body and has no analogues outside. Today beauticians can offer moisture retention by various cosmetic treatments and at least on the surface of kozhi.Dlya were developed two types of therapy.
Replacement therapy acts on dehydrated skin thanks to moisture-holding hygroscopic substances. They quickly restore the water and carefully balance the stratum corneum. The second type of therapy - the creation of the skin surface protective film, which will protect the cover against loss of moisture from deeper layers.
What is the effect of moisturizing preparations for the skin?
For replacement therapy experts recommend the use of water-retaining agents, which are different maximum homology and hygroscopicity. They are the most similar to the composition of the skin and cut easily penetrate into its structure.
Related substances - pirrolidonkarbonovayai molochnayakisloty urea. They are actively involved in natural moisture of the skin.
Hyaluronic acid has a fairly high level of hygroscopicity: one gram of an acid is able to turn into a gel liter of water. Scientists called hyaluronic acid multifunctional because of its ability not only to retain moisture on the skin surface, but also because of the ability to create a protective film. Also acid promotes healing of microcracks and wounds, accelerating the process of cell recovery.
Analog hyaluronic acid - chitosan, chitin which receive their shells of insects and crustaceans. Method moisturizing skin using chitosan is less effective than treatments with better hyaluronic acid.
Help delay the moisture silk and milk proteins that create stable viscous gels. These substances are considered universal, as are suitable for almost any type of skin.
The oldest humectant glycerin considered: it is widely used to absorb moisture. But the disadvantage of this material is that it not only takes moisture from external factors (water and air), but also from the deep layers of the skin. For this reason, there is a perception that glycerol can lead to dehydration deeper layers. Although the medical and scientific evidence is still no.
Propylene glycol on the principle of action is similar to glycerol. Moreover, this substance is a powerful solvent, and is widely used in the preparation of cosmetic agents. Expert opinion about the effects of propylene glycol on the skin is different. Some consider him a poisonous and toxic components by comparing its structure with the structure of anti-freeze. Others argue that they are talking about it is completely harmless action.
Another representative humidifiers - sorbitol. It is part of a group of sugars, and the mechanism of its effect is similar to amino acids. Moisture retention in the stratum corneum is due to a soft film which forms sorbitol.
In the preparations forming the protective film include mineral oils, fats, dimethicone, waxes and others. A film rich in mineral oils and saturated fats is quite dense structure, and can lead to local tissue edema (occlusion). For this reason the preparations with a content of beeswax, cocoa butter, lard, and mineral oils are not suitable for all skin types.
Drugs that are based on unsaturated fatty acids and fats, and create a thin flexible film. They are ideal for all skin types and does not cause swelling. Sera creams and pastes containing dimethicone are suitable for moisturizing dry and sensitive skin. He retains moisture in the stratum corneum of the skin without letting it evaporate. Day creams and masks are rich in dimethicone. Remember that products containing dimethicone, poorly rinsed off with water. Beauticians recommend to remove them fat free liquids.
Humidify or not?
Skin suffering from dehydration, needs proper care. Do not rush to buy a large number of "miracle" creams and masks. Selection of a drug should be carried out according to the individual characteristics of a specialist of your skin. Remember that.