Cleansing the skin: so that the necessary procedure does not cause problems

Cleansing the skin is a necessary procedure, but it can also cause a variety of skin problems, from dryness and flaking to severe irritation and possible allergic reactions.

The skin of children (especially the area of ​​diapers) and bedridden patients also cannot do without cleaning. A special situation with cleaning the skin of those who are employed in industrial production, as well as doctors (especially surgeons). In the first case, aggressive solvents have to be used almost every day to remove machine oils and other difficult-to-remove substances, and in the second case, frequent and repeated hand washing is combined with the use of antiseptic solutions and detergents. After all, cleansing the skin is a mandatory stage of professional cosmetic procedures: if sebum and makeup are not removed, it will be very difficult for the active ingredients of cosmetics to penetrate the skin.

The stratum corneum and the epidermal barrier

The outer layer of the skin - the stratum corneum - consists of flat dead cells (scales) filled with keratin - a hard protein substance. These cells are glued together by a fatty layer. Even twenty years ago, the description of the structure of the stratum corneum could have ended there. However, we now know that the fine structure of the stratum corneum is very complex.

Skin problems: where do they come from?

A normally functioning, intact stratum corneum has a smooth surface that reflects light evenly. Therefore, skin with a healthy stratum corneum has a characteristic radiant and fresh appearance. In the case of damage to the upper layer of horny scales, they begin to reflect light chaotically, as a result of which the skin becomes dull. In addition, a healthy stratum corneum has softness, flexibility, elasticity, so it freely follows all movements of the skin, bending and stretching as necessary.

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