Does the skin fairy take care of Se.Col.Gi?

Did you know that when your skin barrier is compromised and sensitive, applying a product containing the right amount of ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids is of great help in restoring the barrier? In the beauty and dermatology industries, this is commonly referred to as the "Secolji" 3-piece set.

1. Why is 'Secolji' considered an essential ingredient for the skin?
The skin is composed of the epidermis and dermis, with the outermost layer being the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The stratum corneum plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and preserving the moisture necessary for the survival of internal cells by preventing harmful external substances from entering the body and preventing moisture within the body from being lost. The components filling the space between the keratinocytes and the cells of the stratum corneum are lipids, including ceramide (approximately 50%), cholesterol (25%), and fatty acids (15%). Skin lipids serve as a barrier, regulate the cell division and differentiation of keratin, and protect the skin.

2. What role does each ingredient play in the skin?
Ceramide is the most abundant component of lipids and plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin's moisture retention through a healthy skin barrier. If ceramide levels decrease, more moisture evaporates, leaving very little moisture in the skin. Cholesterol, along with ceramide, plays a vital role in maintaining moisture retention and is highly effective in acting as a skin barrier due to its strong interparticle cohesiveness. Although fatty acids are present in smaller amounts compared to ceramide and cholesterol, they are important as they serve as the foundation for the synthesis of other lipids, including ceramide. They strengthen the protective function of the outer layer of the skin to reduce moisture loss and possess antibacterial properties, providing anti-inflammatory benefits.

3. Under what skin condition is the ingredient 'Secolji' particularly helpful?
Dr. Kim Hong-seok, director of Boss Dermatology Clinic, explains, “Particularly in the case of dry and atopic skin, it is known that as the amount of ceramide within intercellular lipids decreases, the lamellar liquid crystal structure within the skin forms incompletely. As a result, moisture loss from the skin increases, leading to abnormalities in the skin barrier function. Therefore, these ingredients are very helpful when the skin is dry, itchy, or sensitive.”

4. What is the best ratio of the three ingredients?
Director Kim Hong-seok advises that products composed of lipid components in appropriate proportions are preferable. This is because if the ratio is incorrect, it could actually cause skin problems.

5. Ceramide is the most representative ingredient, but what are the precautions or tips to enhance its effectiveness?
To achieve optimal results, it is recommended to apply a cream-type product with a high ceramide content after using a lotion or serum-type ceramide product. While a high ceramide content is important, the specific type of ceramide present is even more crucial. Long-length ceramide forms play a role in anchoring the inner and outer layers by directly connecting the proteins within the keratinocytes to the lipids on the outside. Depending on the fatty acid chain structure, they are given somewhat long names such as 'non-hydroxyl (N)', 'alpha-hydroxyl (A)', 'omega-hydroxy (O)', and 'esterified-hydroxyl (EO)'. When the name 'EO' is attached, it results in a form of ceramide where an additional fatty acid is attached to the fatty acid portion, making the length significantly longer. Since names like 'EOP' and 'EOdS' indicate the presence of long-length ceramide, choosing and using products containing this ingredient is a good approach.

Source: Woman Chosun (https://woman.chosun.com)