The natural skin barrier: a preservation strategy
The integrity of the horny barrier is the key to the success of healthy skin
One of the leading positions in the process of skin regeneration is occupied by the epidermal barrier. The most important component of the barrier that performs a protective function is the stratum corneum. Today, sufficient data has accumulated that forces us to reconsider the attitude towards the stratum corneum as a passive mechanical barrier.
It is gradually becoming clear that to preserve the beauty of the skin, it is not necessary to stimulate and support its deep layers with active substances - you can concentrate on a more superficial level, which is the so-called horny barrier, which opens up new opportunities in anti-aging, regulation of skin homeostasis, control and prevention. Close attention to the stratum corneum of the epidermis can be regarded as a step back, into the past, since it has traditionally been a field for the influence of cosmetics, the effectiveness of which is known to be low.
The conducted studies provide an opportunity to develop new skin care products based on effective delivery systems for active ingredients. This opened a new era in dermatocosmetology, which interested pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies and put an end to the prejudice about the ineffectiveness of external use of products.
There are complex signaling mechanisms in the skin that allow epidermal cells to receive information about what is happening on the surface of the skin and respond to damage. The stratum corneum is not just a barrier, but part of a complex system, interference with which leads to early aging and the development of pathological conditions. It is obvious that caring for the stratum corneum significantly affects the processes of regeneration, normal functioning of the skin and maintaining its youth.
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