CATALOGUE- Moisturising EN_AF

Skin hydration: Skin is a metabolically active organ, so it needs water , as an essential component to maintain its elasticity and maintain the integrity of the barrier function. Skin hydration is defined as the water amount contained in the skin. In optimum conditions it ranges from 10% to 20% of water in the stratum corneum. (1) The regulation and maintenance of these hydration levels is dependent upon a variety of mechanisms: Dehydration: These mechanisms along with molecules such as hyaluronic acid can be affected by several intrinsic factors (3) (age, stress, hormonal changes...), and extrinsic factors (3) (environment, pollution, the use of some medicines...), modifying the skin balance and causing the following signs: Dull skin, without brightness More pronounced wrinkles, increased flaccidity and loss of elasticity Irregular texture, rough touch Tightness, flaking, itching, irritation and sensitivity NMF (natural moisturising factor) (2) : Group of molecules that can uptake water and keep it inside the corneocyte. Extracellular matrix lipids (2) : Intercellular lipids, that determine the barrier function and the permeability of the stratum corneum. Aquaporins (3) : Transmembrane proteins in charge of transporting water and glycerol through the epidermis. epidermis stratum corneum moisturised skin Schematic representation of a histological section of skin under optimal hydration conditions.