Article: Skin Moisturizing And Its Elasticity
Article: Skin Moisturizing And Its Elasticity
Article: Skin Care Tips: Plazan Recipe - Super Lifting Mask
Issued January 1, 2006
Skin Moisturizing And Its Elasticity
By Oksana Strelnikova, plazan skin care consultant, Ost Cosmetics
In the consumers' mind, skin moisturizing and its elasticity are inseparably related, and that the application of moisturizers prevents skin from drying and irritation, it keeps the skin smooth and elastic, which is very important.
Scientific data contradicts common belief that dry skin contains less water than normal. Nevertheless, aging skin does contain less water and it would be wrong to neglect moisturizers.
But it is still not quite clear why some people suffer from dry skin more than others. Moisturizers are usually recommended to old people with the tendency to dry skin as well as to those people, irrespective of their age, who often appear to be in adverse weather conditions. Relative air humidity of more than 40% is usually enough to keep the skin normally moisturized. Strong wind, sun, and frequent use of alkaline soaps, brushes and irritating cosmetics result in skin dryness and the necessity to use moisturizers.
Smoothness, softness and moisture of the skin are influenced by the three main factors: water content in the skin, the sebaceous glands performance and presence in different quantities of natural moisturizers in the skin. Natural moisturizers retain water on the skin surface, connecting it, or affect cell protein configuration which results in water retention in the cells. The following belong to the natural moisturizers: urea, phospholipids as well as lactic, malonic, hyaluronic and pyrrolic carboxylic acids. Water content is the main factor. In fact, hydration level of the skin is one of the most important factors which influence skin elasticity. Other factors, such as photodegradation (i.e. the chemical breakdown of a substance caused by exposure to light), sex and age of a person together with skin thickness also play an important role.
According to scientific data, skin elasticity increases with the increase of hydration. It is logical to assume that skin elasticity can be improved by use of moisturizers. This point of view has been confirmed, but only taking into consideration the latest direct and full data, obtained by simultaneous estimation of skin moisture and elasticity after application of cosmetics.
Clinical tests of a large amount of skincare ingredients proved unequal relation between moistening ability and plasticizing effect, which they produce at the same time. This resulted in classification of these products on the basis of their efficiency. The obtained results show that the investigated ingredients can be divided into two groups: the first group includes those components which possess good moisturizing effect but insignificantly improve skin elasticity; the second group includes products that significantly improve elasticity but do not show good moisturizing results.
Thus, we can say that moisturizers undoubtedly influence skin elasticity, but at the same time there is no linear correlation between the capacity of one or another ingredient to moisturize skin and make it more elastic.
On the basis of the above, the thesis, that by increasing moisture level of the skin you will definitely increase its elasticity, was disproved. There are different conceptions about molecular or biochemical mechanisms of skin moisturizing and increase of its elasticity, but the investigations results testify that there are at least two different biochemical processes in the basis of skin moisturizing and elasticity.
Because of that, cosmetics intended for moisture level and elasticity increase must contain two active ingredients: active moisturizer (for example hyaluronic acid ) and active plasticizer (such as elastin and collagen ). In this case you can be sure to achieve the desired results.
Below is the Super Lifting Mask recipe from Plazan.Skin Care Tips: Plazan Recipe - Super Lifting Mask
The mask is recommended for atonic (without tone, aging) skin of any type. It prevents skin aging, facilitates collagen and elastin fibres reproduction and natural moisture regeneration, ensuring skin elasticity and stable lifting effect.
Application:
- Use Cosmetic Milk with Collagen for superficial cleansing and make up removal, which gives you a light lifting effect already at the first step.
- Apply small amount of Cream-Scrub with massage movements for a deep cleansing.
- Remove the remains with damp cosmetic tissue/sponge, and dry a little with an absorbent paper.
- Massage using 1ml of Hyaluronic acid (skin's own natural moisturising component).
- Make a mask composition using: Hyaluronic acid 1 ml, Glycosaminoglycans 1ml, Elastin Collagen complex 1ml.
- Apply the mask with your finger-pads and cover with the film (you can use cling film).
- Leave the mask for 20-30 min.
- Remove the mask.
- Put appropriate Plazan cream with Hyaluronic acid (Gold Series or Diamond series Day or Evening cream).
For maximum effect, it is essential to apply the masks twice a week for one month. Repeat the course every 2-3 months. The mask may also be used as a one-off treatment to improve skin appearance, or before special occasions as desired.
by Oksana Strelnikova, Ost Cosmetics Ltd., January 1, 2006
If you have additional questions, please contact our Plazan Beauty Consultant
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