Allergies

Irritation and inflammation of the skin can lead to reddening, a feeling of tightness, itching, or burning. This may be due to prolonged exposure to heat, wind, or caustic chemicals. Alternatively, the problem may be related to an allergy, which can be defined as an oversensitivity to a substance which itself is harmless but is wrongly identified by the immune system as a risk and is therefore combated with a histamine reaction. Given their individual nature, allergies need to be evaluated by a dermatologist or allergy specialist, however, it is possible to reduce the risk of irritation or inflammation by being gentle to the skin and not creating an environment where an immune response can be easily triggered. Remember, the skin’s first line of defense is prevention. It is imperative to preserve the hydrolipidic layer to minimize the chance of an immune reaction.

Eczema

Eczema is a presently incurable skin condition which results in inflammation, redness, and itchiness. In more severe cases, the skin oozes a clear liquid from between the cracks of the dried skin. Applying traditional soap to the problem area often severely intensifies the itching and scaling and is not recommended. However, the skin does need to be cleaned, and using a pH-balanced cleanser (the pH of the skin is 5.5) will clean the affected area without triggering an immune response.

Rosacea

When blood vessels are repeatedly dilated by stimuli, they can become damaged and give way to a condition known as rosacea. The damage can cause blood vessels to easily dilate and even remain dilated for extended periods of time. During such times, the skin will appear red and inflamed from the blood, however the resulting immune response can yield inflammatory papules and pustules. This condition is known as papulopustular rosacea. There are many events that can trigger rosacea and accelerate its development. Extreme temperatures, stress, alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods can all play a part. Being mindful of the types of cleansers that come into contact with your skin is important too. And while there aren't any products that can prevent rosacea, choosing a pH-balancing cleanser can slow the development of rosacea and minimize the immune response that causes inflamed pores.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by scaling and inflammation. Scaling occurs when cells in the outer layer of the skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin’s surface. Recent studies have led researchers to believe that psoriasis is caused by an abnormal immune system trigger that subsequently leads to inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction. As with allergies and eczema, it is imperative to reduce the likelihood of an immune response by maintaining the skin’s primary line of defense: the acidic hydrolipidic layer. Use of traditional alkaline soaps and detergents neutralizes the hydrolipidic layer and leaves the skin open to infection and irritation from environmental pollutants. Without the hydrolipidic layer, the chances of an immune reaction are greatly increased. Using pH-balanced cleansers will allow you to clean your skin without compromising its natural defenses.

Fungal Infections

Fungi that infect the skin (dermatophytes) live only in the dead, topmost layer (stratum corneum) and don't penetrate deeper. Some fungal infections cause no symptoms or produce only a small amount of irritation, scaling, and redness. Other fungal infections cause itching, swelling, blisters, and severe scaling. Fungi usually make their homes in moist areas of the body where skin surfaces meet: between the toes, in the groin, the outer ear, and under the breasts. Common infections include Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch, and Otomycosis (a fungal infection of the outer ear canal). Fungal infections in advanced stages will require immediate medical treatment, but the regular use of an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial cleanser will curb the growth of existing infections and prevent future ones.