Skin hydration's secret weapon: the partnership between natural moisturizing elements and hydrocolloid material matrix.
Revamped Insights on Natural Moisturizing Factors: A Must-Know for Glowing Skin
Embracing a fresh outlook on natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) and their importance is gaining traction as scientific research unfolds the prevalence of dry skin concerns.
In essence, it's undeniable that humans will inevitably experience dry skin at some point in life. Research indicates that approximately 60% of the middle-aged and elderly population experience dry skin, with a fifth diagnosed with Generalized Dry Skin (Mekić MD et al., 2019).
To ensure skin hydration, a key approach in preventing dry skin and associated conditions, maintaining proper moisture levels is paramount. As a result, recent research is shedding light on the crucial role of NMFs in achieving and maintaining optimal hydration.
Both NMFs and hydrocolloids have potent water-attraction abilities at a molecular level, opening new doors to hydration efficiencies and innovative formulation opportunities.
Fundamentals of NMFs
NMFs are a mix of water-attracting compounds naturally found in the skin's stratum corneum (outer layer). A broad array of components constitutes the list of NMFs, including:
- Amino acids
- Lactic acid
- Urea
- Sodium PCA
- Sugars
- Minerals
These components all share the ability to attract and hold water molecules, controlling water content in the stratum corneum and preserving its physiologic barriers. From the aesthetics viewpoint, NMFs are also essential to promote skin suppleness and elasticity.
NMFs snag moisture from the environment and bind it to the skin. According to Baldwin and Del Rosso (2024), NMF production starts with profilaggrin. This precursor protein breaks down into filaggrin and interacts with keratin to eventually undergo a proteolysis process in the upper layers of the stratum corneum, ultimately forming NMFs.
Impact of NMF Deficiencies
Deficiencies in NMFs are a primary culprit contributing to dry skin (Rawlings et al., 1994), resulting in symptoms like skin roughness, itching, flaking, or irritation. Environmental conditions, aging processes, improper cleansing products, or gene mutations, such as those in the FLG gene, can cause these deficiencies.
These deficiencies can manifest in various skin disorders, such as:
- Xerosis: the dermatological term for dry skin, characterized by reduced NMF levels, which result in skin losing its ability to retain water, causing dryness, roughness, and itching.
- Atopic dermatitis: also known as eczema, this disorder compromises the skin barrier, with NMF deficiencies playing a significant role as they hinder the skin's ability to retain moisture.
- Ichthyosis: a group of disorders characterized by excessive scaling of the skin, with some forms linked to filaggrin gene mutations.
- Psoriasis: where rapid cell turnover disrupts NMF production, leading to reduced levels in skin affected by the condition.
Addressing NMF deficiencies in hydration formulations tackles critical imbalances that characterize these skin moisture issues while easing symptoms and promoting overall skin health.
How NMFs Complement Specific Skin Types
Dry Skin: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin, though not technically NMFs, are humectants with hygroscopic properties, drawing in moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers to enhance hydration at the surface, providing an effective aid for dry skin moisturizing. This results in improved hydration, a better skin barrier, and no greasy residue.
Oily Skin: Amino acids like arginine, glycine, or proline help regulate sebum production and improve hydration without clogging pores, making them suitable for those with oily or sensitive skin.
Sensitive Skin: Allantoin, with its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, can serve as an ally for sensitive skin, providing relief and moisture retention.
Mature Skin: PCA, a key natural moisturizing factor, presents great potential in enhancing cell renewal, promoting hydration, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Hydrocolloids: The Smart Delivery System for NMFs and Deep Hydration Treatments
Hydrocolloids, types of polymers with water-absorbing capabilities, form a gel-like substance when they come into contact with water. This gel layer acts as a protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and maintaining a moist environment, which benefits certain applications like skin healing.
Popular hydrocolloids in skincare include:
- Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)
- Gelatin
- Pectin
- Alginate
HydrafenceTM - Innovation in Hydration Technology
HydrafenceTM emerges as an innovative active ingredient that bolsters skin hydration by leveraging natural moisturizing factors and hydrocolloids derived from rice amylopectin.
Based on a calcium-rich fraction derived from the Lithothamnion calcareum algae, this ingredient concentrates on enhancing hydration by taking a multi-level approach:
- Amplifying barrier function
- Boosting ceramide production
- Activating natural hydration mechanisms
- Improving cellular cohesion
These advantages have been validated through several testing strategies:
- In vitro testing has shown that HydrafenceTM promotes the skin's natural processes by modulating gene expression in keratinocytes.
- Ex vivo testing has indicated that it increases epidermal cohesion, stimulates the skin's natural ceramide generation, and fends off external aggressions.
- In vivo studies found that HydrafenceTM is linked to a boost in skin hydration (lasting up to 120 hours), lower transepidermal water loss, improved skin barrier function and recovery, as well as increased skin smoothness and sensory properties.
HydrafenceTM is a comprehensive, natural ingredient that addresses hydration from an innovative, scientifically backed perspective, focusing on NMFs as key drivers to promote hydration and overall skin health.
Embrace the Future of Hydration with Targeted NMF Formulations
A focus on NMFs offers a difference in crafting advanced cosmetic products for a wide range of skin conditions. By experiencing HYDRAFENCETM, you'll understand the transformative power this innovative ingredient holds for dry skin and conditions linked to depleted NMFs. Reach out to Provital to learn more about HYDRAFENCETM and other revolutionary components at the forefront of cosmetic science.
Bonus Insights:
- NMFs play a pivotal role in skin health and hydration.
- Deficiencies in NMFs are linked to dry skin disorders and symptoms.
- NMFs have unique properties that cater to specific skin concerns, including dryness, oiliness, sensitivity, and mature skin.
- Hydrocolloids are polymers that can absorb water, forming a gel-like substance to promote hydration and aid in skin healing.
- Ex vivo and in vitro testing demonstrate the effectiveness of HydrafenceTM in promoting skin hydration and barrier function.
- The multi-level action of HydrafenceTM offers a comprehensive, nature-inspired solution to tackle hydration and support overall skin health.
1) In their quest for glowing skin, individuals must understand the importance of natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) in maintaining skin hydration, particularly in preventing dry skin and associated conditions.2) Both NMFs and hydrocolloids play a crucial role in molecular-level water absorption, opening doors to hydration efficiency and innovative formulation opportunities.3) NMFs are a mixture of water-attracting compounds naturally found in the skin's stratum corneum, including amino acids, lactic acid, urea, sodium PCA, sugars, minerals, and profilaggrin.4) Deficiencies in NMFs contribute to dry skin, resulting in symptoms like roughness, itching, flaking, or irritation, and can lead to various skin disorders such as xerosis, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, and psoriasis.5) For dry skin, hyaluronic acid and glycerin serve as effective aids, while amino acids like arginine, glycine, or proline help regulate sebum production and improve hydration for oily or sensitive skin.6) Allantoin is a suitable choice for sensitive skin, offering soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, and PCA plays a significant role in enhancing cell renewal and reducing fine lines and wrinkles in mature skin.7) Hydrocolloids, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, pectin, and alginate, act as a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss and maintain a moist environment, benefiting certain applications like skin healing and hydration. One example on the cutting edge of hydration technology is HydrafenceTM, a calcium-rich fraction derived from Lithothamnion calcareum algae, that enhances hydration by amplifying barrier function, boosting ceramide production, activating natural hydration mechanisms, improving cellular cohesion, and promoting overall skin health.
