How are creams absorbed by the skin?
The phenomenon of creams “penetrating” the skin has been common knowledge for some time now. However, are creams really absorbed by the skin?
If so, which ingredients find their way into the skin, and is this even desirable? We decided to get to the bottom of this question.
What are creams good for?
Creams are good for protecting the skin against UV rays and acting as a barrier against environmental damage caused by fine particles or cold, etc. We therefore always recommend boosting your skin's natural barrier function throughout the day.
But how do skin care creams and their active ingredients work? Are they really absorbed by the skin?
All active ingredients are absorbed into the skin – if only!
For over 100 years, people have been searching for a cream that is truly “absorbed.” The term implies that the cream feeds and nourishes dry skin. But in reality, there is not much trace of the cream after a short time. Does this mean that the cream and all its active ingredients are completely absorbed by the skin?
People who use creams want the valuable active ingredients to go where they are needed and where the skin can get the most benefit. Wouldn't that be great? Unfortunately, the reality is somewhat different.
Reality: greasy film
Unfortunately, skin care creams are barely absorbed by the skin and simply sit on the surface. Now, you might be thinking “but after using the cream, my skin looks and feels soft and hydrated.” All you are feeling, however, is the layer of cream on top of your skin. What actually happens is that the water content of the cream evaporates relatively quickly, leaving little trace on your skin.
In contrast, the fat content of the cream simply sits on top of the skin and is washed away after showering or washing your hands. Residue may also disrupt the natural regeneration of the skin. It is therefore the texture of the cream that we perceive as being soft and hydrated – not the skin. So, where do the active ingredients end up?
Only superficial skin care
Unfortunately, traditional cosmetic creams generally provide short-term effects rather than long-lasting results. It is therefore virtually impossible for creams to penetrate deep into the skin. The role of the skin's outer layer is primarily to protect the body against bacteria, microbes, and other environmental stress. It is therefore not very good at absorbing substances – quite the opposite in fact:
the cream's active ingredients simply sit on the dead skin cells in a greasy film. Very little cream actually penetrates deeper into the skin. And some of what is absorbed by the skin actually includes undesirable additives that are often found in many creams (preservatives, emulsifying agents, perfume, coloring, etc.)
So what is the best way to take care of my skin?
Understandably, you may ask yourself “why do I even bother using a cream?” As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, using creams is definitely worthwhile, especially when it comes to protecting your skin against UV rays and environmental damage caused by fine particles and cold temperatures, etc.
In the morning, it is important that you support your skin's barrier function and protect yourself against premature aging. To achieve this effect, we recommend using a light day cream with UV protection.
In the evening, your skin should be deeply cleansed and treated with an extra helping of active ingredients. Important: Pore-deep cleansing is vital to ensuring that your skin actually absorbs the active ingredients.
With our Filabé skin care cloths, you can cleanse and nourish your skin with active ingredients in one easy step: The microfibers cleanse your skin pore-deep while at the same time delivering highly concentrated active ingredients in the form of liposomes. Unlike when using creams, the active ingredients are delivered to the skin and penetrate below the surface.
Our conclusion
Give your skin the care it needs with a day cream of your choice in the morning and Filabé in the evening. This will provide your skin with the protection it needs during the day and deep cleansing and active ingredients in their purest form in the evening.
Are you not sure which product
will fit your skin?
All the best and take care!
