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Natural soaps: Why are they good for the skin?
October 13, 2023
The cleaning products like soap, if not formulated properly, can cause damage to the skin structure and its microbiome, dryness, irritation and premature aging of the skin.
The skin is made up of about a million different microorganisms per square centimeter, forming a complex ecosystem called the skin microbiome. The formation of the microbiome depends partly on the environment in which we live, on the amount of sebum and moisture in the skin and partly on our genetic makeup (microbiome).*
What is the hydrolipidic film and why is it important?
The skin is structured in three layers, each of which fulfills a specific function:
1. Epidermis
It is the outermost layer, also known as the stratum corneum, which consists mainly of keratinocytes, cells that arise in the deepest layer (basal). Keratinocytes renew themselves by migrating upward and replacing the old cells that are shedding.
The outer layer of the skin serves as a barrier against bacteria, microorganisms and harmful substances, especially when it is intact and strong. At the same time, the middle layers of skin also protect the internal organs, blood vessels, nerve fibers and muscles from injuries such as minor injuries. The epidermis is thicker on the palms and soles to provide stronger protection.
The Langerhans cells, which are part of the skin's immune system, are located on the top layer of skin. Their job is to protect the body from infections, but they also play an active role in the development of allergies.
Melanocytes are cells distributed throughout the basal layer of the epidermis and are responsible for the melanin that gives skin its color. The main function of melanin is to filter the ultraviolet rays produced by the sun. If the skin is not well protected, these rays can damage the DNA of epidermal cells and cause serious problems such as skin cancer.
How to strengthen the epidermis:
Use products compatible with the skin structure, avoid repeated use of harmful chemical substances and protect the skin from the damage of the sun's rays, smog, dust and blue light, which are responsible for the weakening and premature aging of the skin. Always apply a high-quality sunscreen cream without substances such as "propylparaben and butylparaben (preservatives), ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate (sun filter) and BHA (antioxidant)" to your usual face cream, as they represent potential endocrine disruptors capable of disrupting the functioning of the hormonal system to affect.
Also read how you can protect your skin from premature aging with Moringa.
2. The dermis
The subcutaneous layer beneath the epidermis consists of fibrous and elastic tissue. Collagen, a crucial component of elastin, gives the skin strength and flexibility. All nerve endings, blood vessels, sebaceous glands and hair follicles are also located in the dermis. The sebaceous glands in particular secrete sebum, an oily substance that protects the skin from external influences and gives it shine and suppleness.
3. The subcutaneous or fatty tissue layer
The fatty tissue layer beneath the dermis insulates the body from environmental influences such as heat and cold. In addition, they hold the adipocytes, i.e. the fat cells, together and form a variable energy reserve (it can increase in the stomach and buttocks area).
The effects of skin aging
From the age of 25 onwards, the skin becomes 1% thinner every year and loses elasticity and moisture.
The flexible collagen and elastin fibers that are optimally intertwined in young skin weaken over time and begin to separate. The regeneration process for new fibers slows down, which leads to the formation of more or less fine wrinkles as well as thinning and dryness of the skin. For this reason, it is crucial to avoid harsh products that further weaken the skin and favor those that improve its tone and hydration.
Natural or conventional soaps? Here's what experts recommend
Soaps that contain aggressive substances such as caustic potassium hydroxide or baking soda develop an alkaline pH value when they come into contact with water, which is not very compatible with the pH value of the skin, i.e. the acidity of the skin, which can vary from person to person.
Impaired pH can lead to dry skin, irritation and other dermatological problems. Experts in dermatology at the Humanitas Hospital therefore advise against the regular use of traditional soaps to cleanse the face and body, as soap tends to remove the skin's natural hydrolipidic film and alter its pH.
So, apart from cleansing, soap also destroys the water and oil barrier that protects the skin and prevents external aggressions from penetrating, thereby preventing the loss of water from the deep layers of the skin such as the dermis.
As emphasized several times in our article, you should wash with gentle products that respect the normal skin barrier. These should also contain herbal ingredients and active ingredients such as vitamin E, which has a cleansing and firming effect thanks to its antioxidant properties. They should also be low-foaming, such as pure Aleppo and Marseille soaps, and avoid products with dangerous fragrances and preservatives.
The composition of RedMoringa natural soaps
The formulation of RedMoringa soaps is handcrafted and designed not to compromise the natural skin barrier. It contains ingredients compatible with the skin structure, such as coconut oil, shea butter and moringa extract, rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Below are the beneficial effects of these ingredients on the skin.
Soap with coconut oil: super moisturizing, soothing and nourishing
It is a vegetable fat rich in lauric acid (50%) and is particularly compatible with the skin structure. It is obtained from the dried pulp and seeds of the coconut, more precisely from the endosperm of the coconut palm kernel. It is highly nutritious and is used to increase skin hydration, soothe redness and cracks, with powerful moisturizing and anti-aging effects. Lauric acid has good antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Regular use of coconut oil and its presence in soaps and cleansers can help the skin stay hydrated for a long time by forming a lasting protective layer that has a moisturizing and emollient effect.
Among the studies highlighting its beneficial properties for the skin, it is worth highlighting "The Beneficial Properties of Virgin Coconut Oil in Management of Atopic Dermatitis"*, which focuses on its benefits in atopic dermatitis (a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe itching and eczematous lesions). In this, coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) is mentioned as one of the most commonly used natural products for the treatment of dermatitis. Studies have shown that it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, healing and moisturizing properties, which are extremely important in the treatment of dermatitis.
Complete your daily skin care routine with Moringa and Hyaluronic Acid Cream with three different molecular weights.
Soap with shea butter: rich in antioxidants against free radicals
It is composed of a mixture of fatty substances and is rich in vitamins A, B, E and F. It is used to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, thanks to the presence of unsaponifiable substances. It is obtained from the seeds of Vitellaria paradoxa (or Butyrospermum parkii) and was discovered in the late 18th century by the Scottish explorer Mungo Park among the populations of the Niger when he observed their use.
It is also known to combat cellular aging through antioxidant action against free radicals, the main culprits of skin aging. On the skin it has healing, soothing and UV-shielding properties as it forms a light sun protection filter that also works effectively against external influences such as heat, cold and wind.
The study "Shea Butter Extract for Bioactive Skin Care*" highlights its anti-inflammatory properties, with an improvement rate of up to 25% and a 6% increase in collagen production. This illustrates how this natural ingredient in cosmetics and cleaning products is an effective natural choice to reduce premature aging and support the tissue matrix.
Soap with organic moringa: cleanses and protects the skin
Extracted from the plant of the same name, it belongs to the Moringaceae family. Moringa comes from India and is cultivated, valued and known in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world (nowadays also in Europe) for its healing properties based on the exceptional amount of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and amino acids.
Moringa also has amazing effects on the skin: an extract is obtained from the seeds and leaves of the plant that can cleanse the skin and protect it from impurities and external influences, with anti-spot effects. In addition, Moringa can act as a volumizing agent for facial skin in cosmetics, improving its texture and roughness.
This is shown by the study "Enhancement of human skin facial revitalization by moringa leaf extract cream"*, in which the results of a cream with 3% moringa extract were analyzed, with significant improvements in skin revitalization and anti-aging effects.
Today, the RedBeauty line offers a new cleansing experience and presents two different types of soap bars for facial and body hygiene with make-up removing properties.
Both bars of soap are handmade and consist of natural ingredients that harmonize with the structure of the skin and do not affect the skin's hydro-lipidic protective layer. From coconut oil to shea butter to organic moringa, without chemical compounds, skin impurities and makeup are removed, leaving skin soft, hydrated and clean, ready to continue daily skin care in the best way.