Your Skin Has a Bioprotective Shield

Did You Know That Your Skin Has a Bioprotective Shield?

It’s called the hydrolipidic mantle, and it’s a powerful protective barrier that keeps the skin naturally hydrated. Despite the complicated name, taking care of him is super easy. Come find out! 

All along with the outermost layer of our skin on the face and body, there is a bioprotective shield that we don’t see, but we need to take care of: the hydrolipidic mantle.   

Also known as a skin barrier, it is like a very thin film formed by an emulsion of hydrophilic ( water-loving) and lipophilic (fat-like) compounds. This mixture produces a biofilm that harbors a multitude of substances that are extremely important for the defense and health of the skin.    

An example? Urocanic acid is a kind of sunscreen produced naturally by the body. When we take the sun, even before our body starts to manufacture melanin (which protects the skin against solar radiation), our sweat glands are already in full operation, producing urocanic acid.   

The functions of the hydrolipidic mantle

One of the main functions of our bioprotector is to maintain the skin’s natural hydration factor. This is because it regulates transepidermal water loss.    

It works like this: while the hydrophilic compound attracts and absorbs water into the skin layers, the lipophilic compound attracts and holds fat. Together, they create a semi-occlusive biofilm that prevents excess water outflow, helping to keep the skin hydrated.  

Another important task that the hydrolipidic mantle performs is to keep the skin’s pH at the proper levels – that is, slightly acidic, between 4.5 and 5.5. Remember that it is an emulsion? Yeah, well. It has a whole family of substances that guarantee the acidic environment of the skin. This is essential to inhibit the presence and proliferation of microorganisms harmful to the body.     

How to protect the hydrolipidic mantle

The best way to protect the hydrolipidic mantle is to maintain the integrity of this emulsion. The good news is that this is easy if you follow some basic precautions. See some of them: 

1 – Wash the skin with products that do not interfere with the skin’s pH

Contrary to what many people think, the skin’s pH is slightly acidic and not neutral. 

Respecting this slight acidity is essential because it ensures that the hydrolipidic mantle inhibits the action of harmful microorganisms that generate irritations and infections.  

Also, with the pH preserved, there is less chance of the skin becoming sensitive.  

So, the golden tip is: use products that respect the skin’s pH. They usually contain the information “does not change the physiological pH of the skin” on the packaging. Stay tuned! 

2 – Do not use body products on the face – and vice versa!

The skin of the body is different from the skin of the face, so the hydrolipidic mantle is too!  

Therefore, the ideal is to use specific products for each area – both to wash and hydrate. 

And, of course, always use products according to your skin type.  

3 – Wash your face only twice a day

Contrary to what many may think, washing the skin several times a day does not contribute to its health. And worse – it can even harm.  

The reason is simple: the pH of water is different from the pH of the skin. So, every time we wet our face (or our body), even if the water is very pure, the hydrolipidic layer suffers an imbalance and loses its integrity. As much as it regulates itself and quickly – about 30 minutes after washing – during this time the skin is more susceptible to external agents (pollution, bacteria, fungi, etc.).     

So wash your face only twice a day – when you wake up and before bed. It’s more than enough, and your skin will thank you!  

Oh! And the same reasoning goes for the skin of the body, ok?  

4 – Always use air and water at a mild temperature

Just as many washes unbalance the pH of the hydrolipid mantle, hot water also affects it.   

This is because the high temperature destabilizes the substances in the emulsion that form the skin barrier – and this, of course, also damages the integrity of the hydrolipidic mantle.  

Warm water is the way out. And quick baths are always better because they expose the skin to less “aggression” time.

Also, Read : Benefits of Turmeric on Face

Fun Fact