A voyage through the skin

The skin is the element that covers out body and consists of three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. It performs various essential functions, such as thermoregulation and water exchange, it acts as a barrier between us and the outside world and contains the nerve endings and sensory corpuscles specialised in receiving stimuli from the outside.

Our skin also has bactericidal and fungicide properties attributable to the acidity of skin’s surface, which is pH 5 (approx.) and its hydrolipidic film, consisting of lipids produced by sebaceous glands. To carry out its functions properly, the skin has to be perfectly healthy, but this optimal condition is often deficient. Due to continual aggressions caused by external agents, it can lose its natural hydrolipidic layer and become more prone to intolerances or allergies.

When faced with a problem of intolerance or allergy, the most important thing to do is contact your dermatologist to obtain an accurate diagnosis of the disorder, its causes and its development stage, as there are varying degrees of sensitivity of the skin.

First degree: sensitive skin

More reactive than the norm. The hydrolipidic film and pH are only partially developed and do not protect the skin sufficiently. The skin looks thin, delicate and flakes easily. It should be treated with skin cosmetics that are able to restore the hydrolipidic imbalance, protect easily irritable skin and re-establish the physiological pH.

Second degree: intolerant skin

Traumatised by the action of external agents, which it is not able to bear in the long run, it reacts in an exaggerated manner to such forms of aggression and is often red, itchy, with dry and sore flaky patches. Generally speaking the causes are factors such as pollution or the use of excessively aggressive cosmetics and detergents.
In cases of intolerant skins it is vital to use products with soothing properties that reduce irritation and redness and help to strengthen the natural defence system of the skin against irritating factors.

Third degree: allergic skin

This type of skin presents allergic reactions to a determined external factor, with phenomena such as eczema, hives or similar. In allergic skin, the immune system triggers a visible response to the allergen with erythematous-edematous lesions, associated with minor to severe itching in the area in contact with said substances.