Summer is associated with the sun and health.
Autumn, on the contrary, for many people is associated with the season of rains and diseases. So it is time to think about
how reliably we are protected against countless numbers of invisible viruses and bacteria, soaring in air or accumulating
on doorhandles, banisters, handcarts and telephone receivers.
There are two main ways of penetrating microorganisms into our body. First
of all these are mucous membranes of nasal and oral cavities and then - damaged skin areas. In some cases even an intact skin
becomes involuntary accomplice of microorganisms as many bacteria and viruses at first are settled on hand skin and then get
into oral cavity.
Fortunately,
nature has provided for the possibility of microorganisms attack and have placedon their way highly effective barriers. In
particular, the skin is a well armed bulwark, able to prevent penetration of microorganisms into the body and actively struggle
with them.
First of all,
an emulsion, containing secrets of sebaceous and sweat glands, is formed on the skin surface. It has acid reaction, unacceptable
for the majority of pathogens (pH 4.7-5.5). This acidic reaction is created, mainly, by lactic acid. Besides, there are bactericidal
substances of various nature, located on skin surface and its horny layer. And, at last, there are microorganisms on the skin
surface which not only adopt itself to live in acid medium, but do their bit in its creation, secreting organic acids.
The following
barrier on the way of microorganisms is horny layer. It is a layer of keratinized scales with lipid stratum between them.
This barrier is, practically, impermeable for water and microorganisms. When epidermal barrier is disturbed (damage of horny
layer as a whole or destruction of lipid stratum) microorganisms are getting in deep layers of epidermis. The easier water
penetrates through horny layer the more favourable conditions for microorganisms reproduction.
There are two protective immune systems against
microorganisms - specific and nonspecific. Specific immune system works on the principle as memorizing and recognizing. That
is when a pathogen penetrates into the skin for the first time, immune cells memorize it and organize themselves to fight
against it. In case the same pathogen penetrates into the skin for the second time, immune cells immediately recognize the
disturber and do it away quickly and effectively.
Nonspecific immune system stirs to activity already at the first penetration of a pathogen
into the skin. For this purpose there are so called "watch" cells which are the first to react to the presence of
a "stranger". These cells give the alarm and the cells, able to destroy and swallow up pathogens, immediately push
on to render help. Besides, there are processes in skin that immediately start up, leading to division of young cells of epidermis,
restoring of horny layer protective barrier and synthesis of new antimicrobial components.
Owing to the multilayer protective system
the skin is so perfect barrier that pathogens on its surface do not do harm to the body. And what is more, they are not able
even to be there for a long time as in most cases they perish because of high acidity or because of influence of natural antimicrobial
substances or in the process of competition with own skin bacteria. But in case the skin barrier system is disturbed, microorganisms
penetrate through horny layer. At this stage it is quite possible development of inflammation and allergic reactions with
subsequent skin damage. And in such a case immune cells get the hang of things.
So, the better protective systems, preventing penetration
of microorganisms into skin or destroying them before they have time to activate specific immunity, the lesser risk that microorganisms
will cause undesirable reactions.
Is there any possibility in any way to help the skin in this struggle?
Really, there is a number of cosmetic
ingredients which are able to strengthen the skin protective properties. First of all, there are ingredients, strengthening
antimicrobial properties of skin acidic mantle. Among them are lactic acid and bactericidal and antiviral plant substances.
There are also
cosmetic products, containing probiotics - frozen-dried lactobacillae. Besides, there are plants, possessing ability to stimulate
nonspecific skin immunity. As a rule these plants contain polysaccharides, activating Langerhans cells, having patrol functions
in case of a disturber appearance. Cellular processes of Langerhans cells are coming very close to the skin surface and this
means that it is possible to influence upon them by various cosmetic products.
The following ingredients belong to immunostimulators:
Echinacea
- contains galactoarabeenan - immunostimulating polysaccharide and also phenol compounds, acting as an antiinflammatory
agents. (The following Magiray products contain echinacea:
Active Alpha Serum, Active Alpha Cream, Fast Action local care - Day+Night).
Aloe
Gel - contains acemanane - immunostimulating polysaccharide. (The following Magiray products contain aloe gel: Active Alpha Gel Lotion, Tender Gel Mask, Balance+, Aloe
Plus SPF-19, Sambucus Mask, FA Clay Mask, Protection Plus SPF-30, AstriFin Mask, SeboFin Mask, PuriFin Mask, 30min. Massage
Cream, Malvani Gel, Green Coffee Body Scrub, FreshPlus Emulsion, Hexa- Cream, CLC-Wrinkle Away Face Cream, Balance Light,
Universal Nourishing Cream, Ultrasoftening Foot Balm).
Pineapple - contains bromelain - an immunostimulating
enzyme. (The following Magiray product contains pineapple
extract: Natural Peeling).
Buttermilk - contains immunostimulating peptides and growth factor.
Yeast
extract - contains beta-glucan - an immunostimulating polysaccharide.
Algae - contains fucoidanes - immunostimulating
and antiinflammatory polysaccharides. (The
following Magiray products contain algae: Pear mask, Facial Toner for Normal to Dry Skin, Facial Toner for Oily Skin, Hexa-cream,
Triple Clarifying Complex (TCC), CLC Wrinkle Away Face Cream Plantain Lifting Gel, Essential Hand Care, Algactive Powder Mask,
Seaweed Instant Powder, Green Coffee Body Scrub).
Indispensable Fatty Acids - material
for prostaglandine synthesis - hormone like regulators of immune system. (The following Magiray products contain indispensable fatty acids: Replenishing Cream, Triple Clarifying Complex
- TCC, CLC Skin Renovation Moisturizer, CLC Wrinkle Away Cream, CLC Eye contour serum & mask, Hexa-Cream).
Cosmetic products,
containing natural bactericidal and immunostimulating substances, considerably increase the skin protective ability, lessen
the risk of microorganisms penetration and prevent development of inflammatory processes. Stimulators of nonspecific immunity
are also useful in cases of skin damage as they fasten regenerative processes without any inflammatory reaction. Natural immunomodulators
possess also the ability to stimulate the processes of skin renovation and collagen synthesis, raising the skin elasticity
and removing facial lines.
