Skin-identical ingredient
skin-identical ingredient
43 ingredients
This group includes substances that are structurally similar to the natural components of the stratum corneum of the skin — intercellular lipids, elements of the natural moisturizing factor and protective hydrolipidic mantle. Their task is not just to "soften" the surface, but to help the skin retain water, reduce the feeling of dryness and tightness, and maintain a more solid protective barrier. For cosmetics, this is especially important after washing, with dehydration, sensitivity and impaired barrier function: such components reduce transepidermal moisture loss and make skin care more physiological. This is confirmed by data on the role of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids as key barrier lipids, as well as the importance of NMF for maintaining stratum corneum hydration. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Typical examples are ceramides and squalane. Ceramides are naturally present in the outer layer of the skin and help to "cement" the gaps between the cells, so that the skin loses less moisture and tolerates external stimuli better. Squalane is close to the lipid part of the sebum of the skin, therefore it works as a light softening component: it reduces dryness, makes the skin smoother and improves the sensory properties of the formula without heavy greasiness. In creams and serums, such substances usually improve the comfort of application, make the texture more "skin-like" and are suitable even for sensitive skin; in hair products, they can additionally reduce dryness and increase the feeling of smoothness of the canvas. (incidecoder.com)
In the European CosIng database, the skin-identical ingredient function is used as an official category for a number of cosmetic components, and in consumer practice this term usually means ingredients that replenish or mimic the skin's own substances, rather than acting aggressively or exfoliating. Therefore, such formulas are more often chosen for daily basic care, recovery after over-drying and support of the skin barrier. (single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu)