We read everywhere about the health of the skin barrier and the skin microbiome, but what do these terms really mean, and what do they mean for us? How can I do something for healthy and beautiful skin without delving into the medical details? This is especially interesting for people with skin problems such as atopic dermatitis (the medical term for neurodermatitis), but also for those who suffer from very dry, slightly reddened skin.
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck, a general practitioner with a practice in Vienna, mother of four, and founder of KAMI skincare, provides a few simple explanations and tips on this topic.
"I'm a general practitioner, not a dermatologist, but in my practice, I'm always dealing with skin problems, as many health problems are visible through the skin. My youngest son's atopic dermatitis also led me to become intensively involved with the topic of skin. This was also the reason for developing KAMI SOS Skin Care Oil, as I couldn't find any skincare products that truly contributed to long-term skin health.
Now it gets briefly medical:
We know that, simply put, the skin is made up of three layers. As our largest organ, it has an important barrier function: The skin protects us from dehydration, temperature fluctuations, UV radiation, germs, and much more. Only the top layer (epidermis) is accessible to skincare products; it also forms the so-called skin barrier. Only there can something be done to prevent skin dehydration, also known as transepidermal water loss. Our skin has a natural protective layer, the skin microbiome. Although this is not part of the skin, it is essential for skin health. It is a unique protective layer of microorganisms that work symbiotically to defend against harmful germs. Research is still in its early stages of fully understanding the connections. But one thing is already clear: too clean is not good.
As skin cells migrate from the lower layers upward, they adhere to one another, bonded together by lipids. This epithelialization should be as uniform as possible to provide reliable protection. Plant extracts such as calendula can support this process. If the skin barrier is not strong enough and therefore permeable, significant water loss occurs. The skin initially feels rough, redness and itching develop, and eventually, germs can become active and trigger inflammation.
How can you strengthen the skin barrier? Fats and fat-soluble active ingredients—especially those from plants—penetrate the stratum corneum more easily than water-soluble substances, so fats are beneficial. If these actively contribute to epithelialization, the skin barrier can be repaired.
At the same time, those affected need to take action against inflammation, especially in cases of atopic dermatitis. This is where the skin microbiome comes into play again: Healthy skin isn't "germ-free and clean," but, like our gut, is populated by a healthy microbiome. There, "good" germs help keep the bad ones in check.
Therefore, children who grow up on a farm in the countryside are less likely to have skin problems. Their skin has learned to defend itself from the very beginning. To maintain the skin's ability to defend itself, you should avoid overdoing it with cleanliness, use pH-neutral cleansing substances, and, above all, focus on natural skincare. Good quality is more important than quantity.
And this is where our KAMI skincare products come into play:
My first product, the KAMI SOS skin care oil, is particularly good for skin with impaired skin barrier function in two ways: Firstly, it nourishes inflamed skin and secondly, it strengthens and repairs the skin barrier function.
KAMI SOS Skin Care Oil works thanks to our unique combination of natural oils. Marmot oil, used for centuries to treat various inflammatory problems in joints and skin, contains a natural combination of corticosteroids. These corticosteroids, although only 1/80th the cortisone concentration of medicated creams, have a wonderfully soothing effect. The combination of linoleic and linolenic acids with our synergistic plant oils and extracts ensures that the active ingredients penetrate the skin and repair the skin's barrier.
Patients with inflammatory rashes should also avoid overly thorough washing and, above all, conventional soaps. However, our KAMI Wash Fluid is perfectly suited for eczema-prone skin, as it is highly moisturizing and pH-neutral.
In cold weather, skin needs to be protected against micro-frostbite: Water in our skin, or in moisturizers and serums, can freeze and cause redness. Applying an additional layer of oil or adding a few drops of KAMI SOS Skin Care Oil to your regular daily moisturizer can help the skin significantly.
With this in mind, I wish you a good start into the winter
Yours, Kerstin Schallaböck
