Now, more than ever, we are looking for solutions to easily but effectively address the problem of over-drying and a compromised skin barrier. The effects may be more than just esthetic. The latest research has found that maintaining a proper moisture barrier may have a direct link to maintaining overall health and wellness. A recent study found that treatment with a reparative skin cream lowered cytokine levels linked to many diseases, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease and diabetes.
The Problem of Dry Skin
Proper maintenance of the skin’s moisture barrier is crucial to healthy skin. When the stratum corneum is intact and healthy, Trans Epidermal Water Loss, or TEWL, cannot occur. Loss of moisture content in the skin can result in fine lines and wrinkles, and the texture becomes rough and irregular. Significant loss of the moisture barrier can also lead to serious conditions such as eczema and increased skin sensitivity.
The skin’s moisture barrier exists in the epidermal barrier primarily within the stratum corneum. The epidermal barrier is defined as a collection of specific diverse functions, many of which occur primarily within the stratum corneum. This barrier has many important functions:
- Maintenance of water content and balance or the permeability barrier
- Prevention and responses to invasion by microbial organisms and antigens or the antimicrobial barrier and immune response barrier
- Reduction of the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure or the photoprotection barrier
- Mitigation of the effects of oxidative stresses or the antioxidant barrier.
By maintaining proper water balance within the skin cells and mitigating environmental and microbial stresses, the stratum corneum sustains normal sloughing of skin cells as well as the skin’s elasticity.
Oncology Esthetics: Dry, compromised skin can also affect oncology patients. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2020, there was an estimated 1.8 million new cancer cases diagnosed. Oncology treatments can be extremely damaging to the skin. According to the National Cancer Institute, radiation therapy can cause the skin to become dry and peel, itch, turn red or darker. It may look sunburned or tan and be swollen or puffy. Chemotherapy can cause problems such as skin that is dry, itchy, red, and that peels. Some people may develop a rash or sun sensitivity.
Proper training and certification is essential to the practice of oncology esthetics. Certification in Oncology Esthetics has become more and more available throughout the United States, through organizations such as Oncology Training International.
The Ultimate Facial for Dry Skin
“The Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure™ Moisturizing Lift Facial”
The Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure™ Moisturizing Lift Facial is a professional 60-minute facial utilizes uni-dose packaging to perform 5 complete facials, and includes products from the new Hydra Dew Pure™ Collection that are dermatologist reviewed* and clinically tested**, including:
Hydra Dew Pure™ Facial Moisturizer: Clinically proven to increase skin smoothness by 45% in 28 days
Hydra Dew Pure™ Eye Contour Cream: Clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by 44% in just 2 weeks
Hydra Dew Pure™ Night Cream: Clinically proven to increase moisturization by 58% in just 4 weeks
The Hydra Dew Pure™ Moisturizing Lift Facial and retail Hydra Dew Pure™ Collection have been formulated with natural, skin-cushioning ingredients to help strengthen, restore and renew the appearance of the skin that has been visibly compromised by environmental aggressors such as pollution and UV light, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and other aggressive treatments.
Naturally scented, with a soothing aroma of 100% pure and natural essential oils of Rose, Citrus, Geranium and wood, the products in the Hydra Dew Pure™ Moisturizing Lift Facial have been formulated to avoid harsh ingredients, and are Paraben Free, Mineral Oil Free, Free of Petrochemicals, and Free of Formaldehyde Releasers.
Important Ingredients in the Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure™ Moisturizing Lift Facial and the Hydra Dew Pure™ Collection
Repêchage® has travelled the world to find the very best and purest ingredients to address the skin care concerns that can lead to compromised skin conditions including:
- Mastic: Known as the “Tears of Chios,” Mastic or Mastiha is a precious, ivory-colored resin with a balsam-like scent derived from the mastic tree known scientifically as Pistacia lentiscus. Although cultivated in other areas, it is the mastic trees in the southern tip of an island in the Aegean that is most legendary. For the cultivation process, incisions are made in the tree’s bark to release its sap which then dries in the sun to form brittle pieces of translucent resin that hardens into droplets that resemble tear drops. It is from these tears that resin gum and oil is derived. This ingredient is known to help strengthen the appearance of the skin barrier and to instantly help reduce dryness while helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark spots.
- Repêchage® Exclusive Laminaria Digitata Seaweed Filtrate:At the heart of the Repêchage® products is our rich, pure, sustainably-harvested and proprietary Laminaria Digitata Seaweed Filtrate. This pure Seaweed Filtrate contains 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, 42 trace elements and minerals, and phlorotannins—the key elements your skin needs for deep surface hydration and balance. In addition, this seaweed is a source of many important nutrients, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, enzymes and bioactive peptides. Among marine resources, it is also one of the richest sources of phlorotannins, sulfated polysaccharides, fucosterol and fucoxanthins.
- Camellia Japonica Seed Oil:Also known as Tsubaki oil, used for centuries in Japan, this ingredient is known to help strengthen the appearance of the skin barrier while it helps prevents moisture loss.
- Codium Tomentosum Seaweed Extract: A type of seaweed that is known to help increase moisture. It hydrates, nourishes and is a powerful antioxidant.
- Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): A natural moisturizing polysaccharide prevalently found in the skin that is known to hold 1000X its weight in water.
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: This advanced peptide is known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract and Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract: An advanced natural biopolymer complex which has, in previous studies, displayed proven efficacy in providing a visibly lifting and smoothing effect.
- Saccharide Isomerate: A known water binding agent, this ingredient is similar to the carbohydrate complex found in human skin. It is known to provide deep and long lasting moisturization to the skin.
Having a thorough knowledge of the causes of compromised skin conditions, as well as the latest advances in skin care ingredients and professional treatments is important for the ongoing education of an esthetician to not only promote healthy, beautiful skin but potentially affect the overall wellness of your client.
How are you addressing dry, compromised skin concerns in your salon or spa? Let us know in the comments.
*Repeat Insult Patch Test on 50 subjects concluded no potential for dermal irritation or allergic contact sensitization. Reviewed by Board Certified Dermatologist
** Clinical studies performed by independent lab NY, September, 2020. Individual results may vary.
