Interaction Between Skin and Cosmetics

Interaction Between Skin and Cosmetic Products

• Cosmetics are preparations applied to the human body for beauty, preservation, or altering the appearance.
• Daily use of cosmetics affects the skin microbiome and depends on the product type, duration of use, and participant characteristics.
• A balanced skin microbiome plays an important role in skin health.

Makeup Interaction

• Visual interaction: Light is modified by the optical properties of the cosmetic ingredients and the skin's surface.
• Biochemical interaction: Finished makeup is perturbed by the biochemical and mechanical functions of the skin.

Negative Effects of Wearing Makeup

• Regular makeup wear, without proper cleaning, may result in side effects which can impact the skin's overall health.
• Side effects depend on:
  • Duration of its stay on the skin.
  • Makeup type.
  • The frequency of its wear.
  • Skin's sensitivity.
  • Constituents of cosmetic products.

Effects of Cosmetic Products on the Skin

• Clogged Pores: Pores are tiny openings in the skin that allow it to breathe, hydrate, and help move liquids and gasses through the skin's surface. Cosmetic products can cause clogged pores, breakouts, and enlarged pores.
• Oily or Dry Skin: Improper products can cause excessive oil production or a depletion of the skin's oil. This can cause clogged pores and breakouts, or xerosis, which can cause rough and scaly patches.
• Premature Aging: Long durations of cosmetic products can clog pores and limit collagen and elastin production, leading to lines and wrinkles. Sun damage also contributes to premature aging.
• Breakouts: Cosmetic products can worsen existing breakouts and trigger more frequent breakouts. To combat this, it's advised to limit the use of cosmetic products if you are acne-prone and choose oil-free products that are non-comedogenic.
• Eye irritation: Cosmetic products used on the eyes should be carefully selected. Eye liners and mascaras ought to be replaced every 3 months. Applying eyeliner to the inside of the eyelid (tightlining) can block oil glands that protect the cornea and may introduce bacteria or particles from the product into the eyes.

Health Concerns

• Cosmetic products that contain toxic or carcinogenic ingredients may pose serious health risks.
• The FDA does not require manufacturers to test their products for safety.

Ways to Care for the Skin

• Check expiration dates of products.
• Wear makeup with gentle, non-comedogenic ingredients.
• Skip makeup before workouts.
• Wash makeup brushes and sponges weekly to kill bacteria.
• Use medical-grade skin care products.
• Double cleanse (oil-based and water-based).
• Choose a physician-led medical SPA for preventative treatments and corrective measures.

Allergy

• Beauty products, including shampoos, makeup, and even cologne, can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.
• There are two different types of skin reactions to cosmetic products:
  • Irritant contact dermatitis: Happens when a product damages the skin, causing burning, itching, stinging, or redness.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis: Occurs when a person's immune system is sensitized to an allergen, causing a rash with symptoms like redness, swelling, and intense itching.

Symptoms of Cosmetic Allergy

• Rash or hives
• Puffy, raised areas of skin
• Red, itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Small, red spots on the skin

Mechanism

• When a person comes into contact with an allergen, it releases histamine, a natural chemical that defends the body from the allergen. This chemical can cause an allergic reaction and its associated symptoms.

Common Allergens Used in Cosmetics

• Fragrances
• Rosin
• Preservatives
• Lanolin
• Sunscreen allergens
• Paraphenylenediamine
• Coconut diethanolamide

Treatment for Cosmetic Allergy

• Treatment aims to relieve symptoms like itching, swelling, and redness.
• For mild reactions, over-the-counter creams and ointments containing mild topical steroids can be utilized.
• Other treatments include:
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Antihistamines.
  • Cold compress.
  • Patch testing, blood testing, or allergy skin testing which can be used to confirm suspected triggers and provide advanced treatment if needed.

Skin and Surfactants Interactions

• One of the primary causes of skin irritation is the use of body wash cosmetics and household chemicals.
• The main ingredients in these products are surfactants, which can have diverse effects on the skin.

Skin Irritation Potential of Surfactants

• The skin irritation potential of surfactants is determined by their chemical and physical properties resulting from their structure.
• Surfactants can:
  • Interact with proteins and lipids in the stratum corneum.
  • Penetrate through the stratum corneum and affect deeper regions of the skin.
  • Cause damage to cell membranes and structural components of keratinocytes.
  • Cause irreversible changes in cell structure, leading to their death.

Properties of Surfactants

• Their amphiphilic structure makes them a base for body wash cosmetics and many cleaning agents.

Surfactants Interaction with the Skin

• Interaction with SC lipids: They can interact with lipids which form the SC intercellular cement.
• Interaction with SC surface proteins: The presence of individual surfactant molecules in the aqueous solution can result in skin irritation. The severity of the irritant effect depends on the duration of skin contact with the surfactant before the CMC is achieved.
• Interaction with living skin cells: Surfactants can migrate deeper into the epidermis and bind to the keratinocytic cytoplasm, causing impairment or even cell death. This can induce inflammatory reactions of the skin.

Methods to Reduce Skin Irritation Potential

• To reduce the irritation potential of surfactants, it is recommended to:
  • Lower the concentration of monomers.
  • Increase the size of micelles.
  • Stabilize them in the solution having contact with the skin.

This quiz explores the relationship between skin health and cosmetic products. It covers how makeup interacts visually and biochemically with the skin, as well as the potential negative effects of regular makeup use on skin microbiome. Understanding these interactions is crucial for maintaining healthy skin while using cosmetics.