What prevents skin from becoming brittle?

Moisturizer

A moisturizer, or emollient, [1] is a cosmetic preparation used for protecting, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin. These functions are normally performed by sebum produced by healthy skin. [2] The word «emollient» is derived from the Latin verb mollire, to soften. [3]

Mechanism of action [ edit ]

In the human body, water constantly evaporates from the deeper layers of the skin through an effect known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). By regulating its water content, human skin naturally maintains a dry, easily shed surface as a barrier against pathogens, dirt, or damage, while protecting itself from drying out and becoming brittle and rigid. The ability to retain moisture depends on the lipid bilayer between the dead skin cells. [4]

Moisturizers modify the rate of water loss, with active ingredients of moisturizers falling into one of two categories: occlusives and humectants. [5]

Occlusives form a hydrophobic coating on the surface of the skin, keeping moisture from escaping. The more occlusive the formulation, the greater the effect. Ointments are more occlusive than aqueous creams, which are more occlusive than lotion. [5] Water loss through the skin is normally about 4–8 g/(m²⋅h). A layer of petrolatum applied to normal skin can reduce that loss by 50–75% for several hours. [4] Oils naturally produced by the human body moisturize through this same mechanism. [2]

Humectants are hydrophilic and absorb water. They can absorb this water from the air and moisturize the skin when the humidity is greater than 70%, but more commonly they draw water from the dermis into the epidermis, making skin dryer. [6] A study published in Skin Research and Technology in 2001 found no link between humectants and moisturizing effect. [7] When used in practical applications, they are almost always combined with occlusives. [8]

Moisturizers often contain water, which acts as a temporary hydration agent as well as a way for the absorption of some components and evaporation of the moisturizer. [9] They also help smoothen the skin by plugging gaps between dead skin cells.

Kinds [ edit ]

There are many different types of moisturizers. Petrolatum is one of the most effective moisturizers, although it can be unpopular due to its oily consistency. [10] [11]

Mineral oils and waxes are insensitive to oxidation or rancidity. [12] For this reason, they have essentially replaced vegetable oils in emollients and topical medication.

Moisturizer cosmetics may additionally contain antioxidants, ceramides, emulsifiers, fragrances, penetration enhancers, preservatives, and solvents. Some products are marketed as having anti-wrinkle and skin enhancement effects. Many plant and animal extracts have been claimed to impart skin benefits, with little scientific evidence.

Use [ edit ]

Moisturizers are used for the treatment of certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis, ichthyosis vulgaris, xerosis, and pruritus in atopic dermatitis. More often, they are bases or vehicles for topical medication, such as in Whitfield’s ointment. They are often combined with humectants, such as salicylic acid and urea. [13]

Moisturizers are used in disposable napkins to prevent dry skin and napkin dermatitis.

A Cochrane review noted that moisturizers show some beneficial effects in eczema. [14] The same review did not find evidence that one moisturizer is better than another. [14] Moisturisers can improve skin comfort and may reduce disease flares on atopic dermatitis. [15] They can be used as leave-on treatments, bath additives or soap substitutes. There are many different products but the majority of leave-on treatments (least to most greasy) are lotions, creams, gels or ointments. None of the different types of moisturisers are more effective than the others so people need to choose one or more products that suit them, according to their age, body site effected, climate/season and personal preference. [16]

Potential health risks [ edit ]

Over-moisturization [ edit ]

Persistent moisturization to the skin from exposure to water may contribute to an allergic reaction or irritant contact dermatitis, and can result in penetration of foreign objects.

Changes in the skin’s normal ecological environment, in or on the skin, can also support the overgrowth of pathological organisms. [9]

Allergens [ edit ]

Moisturizers containing some aromas or food additives may trigger an immune reaction or even cause users to develop new allergies. [17] [18]

There is currently no regulation over use of the term «hypoallergenic», and even pediatric skin products with the label were found to still contain allergens. [19] [20]

Those with eczema are especially vulnerable to an allergic reaction with lotions and creams, as their compromised skin barrier allows preservatives to bind with and activate immune cells. [21]

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology released a warning in 2014 that natural lotion containing ingredients commonly found in food (such as goats milk, cow’s milk, coconut milk, or oil) may introduce new allergies, and an allergic reaction when those foods are later consumed. [17] A paper published in 2021 by researchers at St. George’s, University of London found that frequent skin moisturization in early life might promote the development of food allergy, even when skin conditions such as eczema are taken into account. [18]

Fire risk [ edit ]

Paraffin based skincare products and contaminated clothing can pose a serious fire hazard. [22] Between 2010 and 2018, paraffin was linked to 50 fire incidents (49 of which were fatal) in the U.K. [23] A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service study found that clothing contaminated with cream containing only 21% paraffin, when set alight, was fully engulfed in flame in 3 seconds. [22] The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) released a warning in 2008 about the flammability of paraffin-based products. [24] MHRA recommends that sheets of people using paraffin are changed regularly, and that people refrain from smoking or bringing open flames around patients using paraffin. [25] MHRA also recommends that skin creams containing any paraffin have a flammability warning on the packaging. [26]

Brands of moisturizers [ edit ]

See also [ edit ]

References [ edit ]

1. ^ Marks, Ronald (January 1997). Emollients. CRC Press. p. 1. ISBN978-1-85317-439-1 . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
2. ^ ab
3. MacDonald, Matthew (21 July 2009). Your Body: The Missing Manual. «O’Reilly Media, Inc.». p. 22. ISBN978-1-4493-9201-7 .
4. ^
5. Schueller, Randy; Romanowski, Perry (24 July 2020). Conditioning Agents for Hair and Skin. CRC Press. p. 111. ISBN978-1-000-11037-1 .
6. ^ ab
7. Arza Seidel; et al., eds. (2013), Kirk-Othmer Chemical Technology of Cosmetics
8. ^ ab
9. Duffill, Mark; Oakley, Amanda. «Emollients and moisturisers». dermnetnz.org . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
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11. Harwood, Anne; Nassereddin, Ali; Krishnamurthy, Karthik (2020). «Moisturizers». StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
12. ^
13. Sagiv, A. E.; Dikstein, S.; Ingber, A. (February 2001). «The efficiency of humectants as skin moisturizers in the presence of oil». Skin Research and Technology. 7 (1): 32–35. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0846.2001.007001032.x. PMID11301638. S2CID18546886 . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
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15. Publishing, Harvard Health. «Moisturizers: Do they work?». Harvard Health . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
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17. Marino, Christina (2006). «Skin Physiology, Irritants, Dry Skin and Moisturizers» (PDF) . Skin Physiology, Irritants, Dry Skin and Moisturizers.
18. ^
19. Sethi, Anisha; Kaur, Tejinder; Malhotra, SK; Gambhir, ML (2016). «Moisturizers: The Slippery Road». Indian Journal of Dermatology. 61 (3): 279–287. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.182427 . ISSN0019-5154. PMC4885180 . PMID27293248.
20. ^
21. Publishing, Harvard Health. «Choosing a good moisturizer for your skin». Harvard Health . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
22. ^
23. Chuberre, B.; Araviiskaia, E.; Bieber, T.; Barbaud, A. (November 2019). «Mineral oils and waxes in cosmetics: an overview mainly based on the current European regulations and the safety profile of these compounds». Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 33 Suppl 7: 5–14. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15946 . PMID31588613. S2CID203850745.
24. ^
25. Tony Burns; et al., eds. (2010), Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology (8th ed.)
26. ^ ab
27. van Zuuren, Esther J; Fedorowicz, Zbys; Christensen, Robin; Lavrijsen, Adriana PM; Arents, Bernd WM (2017-02-06). «Emollients and moisturisers for eczema». Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Review). 2 (8): CD012119. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd012119.pub2. ISSN1465-1858. PMC6464068 . PMID28166390.
28. ^
29. Ridd MJ, Roberts A, Grindlay D, Williams HC (October 2019). «Which emollients are effective and acceptable for eczema in children?» (PDF) . BMJ. 367: l5882. doi:10.1136/bmj.l5882. PMID31649114. S2CID204882682.
30. ^
31. Ridd MJ, Santer M, MacNeill SJ, Sanderson E, Wells S, Webb D, et al. (August 2022). «Effectiveness and safety of lotion, cream, gel, and ointment emollients for childhood eczema: a pragmatic, randomised, phase 4, superiority trial». The Lancet. Child & Adolescent Health. 6 (8): 522–532. doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00146-8. PMID35617974. S2CID249024141.
32. ^ ab
33. Graham, Melissa. «Researchers find link between natural lotions, new food allergies». American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Archived from the original on 2017-11-09 . Retrieved 31 December 2015 .
34. ^ ab
35. «Frequent moisturization of infants can lead to food allergies». Medical News. 4 March 2021 . Retrieved 7 August 2022 .
36. ^
37. Parsons, Julia. «Protect children’s skin from unregulated term ‘hypoallergenic’ «. BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE NEWS . Retrieved 31 December 2015 .
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39. Schlichte, Megan J.; Katta, Rajani (2014). «Methylisothiazolinone: An Emergent Allergen in Common Pediatric Skin Care Products». Dermatology Research and Practice. 2014: 1–4. doi: 10.1155/2014/132564 . PMC4197884 . PMID25342949.
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41. Doyle, Kathryn (2013-12-12). «Some skin creams bad news for eczema». Reuters . Retrieved 31 December 2015 .
42. ^ ab
43. «Fire tests show dangers of paraffin-based skin creams». BBC News . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
44. ^
45. «Emollients: new information about risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients». GOV.UK . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
46. ^
47. «Paraffin-based treatments: risk of fire hazard». GOV.UK . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
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49. «Paraffin-based skin emollients on dressings or clothing: fire risk». GOV.UK . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .
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51. Goldberg, Adrian; Robinson, Ben (19 March 2017). «Skin creams containing paraffin linked to fire deaths». BBC News . Retrieved 31 December 2020 .

How to Prevent Dry Cuticles and Brittle Nails this Winter

Winter is coming faster than you realize, which means that dry, brittle nails and peeling, cracked skin are sure to follow. Rather than worrying about how to repair your skin after the damage is done, it’s important that you take preemptive measures to prevent your skin from drying out. Like your face, your hands, especially your nails and cuticles, require extra care to stay healthy and soft, without any hangnails or brittleness. By just adding a few of these extra steps into your routine, you can help keep your nails in their best shape.

Moisturize Often

It’s no secret that moisturizing often will help keep your cuticles from drying out. Compared to the rest of your body, the oil ducts in your hands are more compact, which means that the skin on your hands is more prone to drying out and chapping. This can also affect your cuticles, leading to painful hangnails.

Protect Your Hands

Think about how you protect the rest of your body from the environment – you use jackets, boots, umbrellas, and much more. As the weather gets colder and the air gets drier, you need to make sure that you are protecting your hands as well. When you go outside, especially if is raining or snowing, you need to make sure that you are protecting your hands by wearing mittens and keeping them dry. When you wash dishes, wear gloves as the heat of the water paired with the sudden coldness when you’re done can chap your hands, drying out your cuticles. One thing that people often don’t think about is the importance of sunblock. Even during the winter, the sun produces UV rays that can damage your skin, leaving it unable to produce new healthy cells.

Use Treatments

With the popularity of facials and hair masks, it’s no surprise that there a spa-style treatment options available for your fingers as well. The Elon Essentials Nail Treatment Package has everything you need to help keep your cuticles from becoming dry. It includes an almond-based cuticle oil, a nail conditioner, and a nail file to keep your nails looking beautiful and healthy all winter long, no matter how harsh the climate is.

Consider Taking Supplements

Between all of the holiday dinners, the cold, and the lack of sunlight, it’s easy for your body to fall out balance during the winter. This can cause your body to begin showing signs such as ashy skin, dull hair, and even dry cuticles and weak, brittle nails. Rather than ditching all the comforts that make the winter season so wonderful, though, sometimes the only thing you need to do is make sure you’re getting the vitamins that your body needs to produce healthy nails and skin. Some of the best vitamins and nutrients to promote healthy nail growth include Biotin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B. By increasing these to an appropriate amount during the winter, you can help fight off seasonal dryness.