The skin is among the essential organs that make up the body. It is composed of several internal layers (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis) and an external hydrolipidic film. The latter acts like a barrier that protects the internal tissues and organs from external aggressions. But what is it made of? How do we take care of it daily? Let's focus.
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Hydrolipidic film: what is it?
Summary
- What is the hydrolipidic film?
- What is the purpose of the hydrolipidic film?
- How to preserve the hydrolipidic film?
Published September 7, 2022,
updated on June 20, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
5 min read
What is the hydrolipidic film?
The skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis (the most superficial), the dermis, and the hypodermis. Furthermore, the epidermis itself is organised into four strata, classified as such from the deepest to the most superficial: the basal layer (where keratinocytes are born), the spinous layer, the granular layer, and the cornified layer composed of dead cells. It is this last layer that we see and feel every time we touch our skin.
On the surface of the stratum corneum lies an invisible film: the hydrolipidic film. This film covers the entire body and is continuously renewed. Its pH is slightly acidic, ranging between 4.2 and 6.7. This helps to prevent harmful bacterial colonisation of the skin and the body.
In terms of its biochemical composition, it is a emulsion of water and fat, hence its name. It is primarily composed of sweat, sebum and water. The water mainly comes from perspiration. It rises from the deep layers of the skin to be expelled through the pores of the epidermis. It is this which maintains the slightly acidic pH.
What is the purpose of the hydrolipidic film?
Its role is to act as a protective external barrier against the growth of microorganisms and external aggressions. It also allows the epidermis to maintain suppleness, radiance and hydration. However, the hydrolipidic film is delicate and can easily become unbalanced. An excess of lipids will make the skin oily, while a lipid deficiency will dry out the skin.
How to preserve the hydrolipidic film?
Subjected to daily aggression, the hydrolipidic film can deteriorate. Both external and internal factors can impair its ability to protect the skin and the body on a daily basis. It deserves attention and the application of appropriate care to help it strengthen or restore itself.
Use gentle cleansers
It is advisable to favour the use of gentle cleansing care products in order not to further damage the hydrolipidic film. Avoid soaps that have a stripping effect on the skin, particularly those containing harsh surfactants such as sulphate derivatives, and instead opt for cleansing oils.
For the face, you can turn to our hydrating cleansing care with palmarosa. Cold saponified, this process allows vegetable oils to retain their lipid-replenishing and soothing properties.
For the body, we have developed therelipidating shower oil
Vitamin E+F 2.5% + Bitter Almond Extract. As an antioxidant, it restores suppleness to the epidermis and reduces feelings of tightness, while delicately scenting the skin with a light almond fragrance.Applying moisturising treatments daily
The application of a moisturising treatment will assist the skin in maintaining its hydrolipidic film and reduce the risk of dehydration. The use of moisturising treatments should be carried out every day, morning and evening, to maintain its protective barrier.
Hyaluronic acid is the key compound for hydrating your skin. This active ingredient acts like a molecular sponge: it is capable of retaining up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Morning and evening, on clean and dry skin, apply the hydrating serum based on hyaluronic acid and provitamin B5 followed by the moisturising face cream with 9 ingredients. These treatments compensate for the natural decrease in hyaluronic acid in the skin, resulting in hydrated, plump and smoother skin.
Supplying lipids to your skin
Morning and evening, it is crucial to deeply nourish the skin. You can therefore apply our nourishing serum with olive squalane. This lipid supply helps to repair the hydrolipidic film, thereby limiting water evaporation.
You can supplement this treatment with the application of alipid-replenishing serum containing ceramides andlavender extract, which will help to reform the skin's hydrolipidic film, protect the skin from external aggressions and prevent water from evaporating.
Of course, drinking an adequate amount of water each day.
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