Skin CareTerminology: Simply Explained 

PMD: p-Menthan-3,8-Diol, also Citriodiol

This is a plant-based active ingredient used in natural insect repellents.

Acne: Non-Communicable Sebaceous Gland Inflammation

Acne occurs when sebaceous gland openings become blocked due to excessive sebum production and a keratinization disorder. This blockage results in the formation of comedones, commonly known as blackheads. These comedones can become inflamed or infected by bacteria, leading to the development of pimples.

Acne is classified into open comedones (blackheads), closed comedones (whiteheads), and inflammatory acne pimples.

Furthermore, acne can be categorized as mild, superficial acne or severe, deep acne. Deep acne involves inflamed nodules located deep beneath the skin's surface and often leads to scarring. Superficial acne typically only results in scarring due to improper treatment, such as squeezing.

Pimple: Purulent Blockage of Sebaceous Glands

A pimple is a pustule or pus-filled blister. It is a superficial small cavity in the skin filled with pus. Due to an overproduction of sebum, the skin's sebaceous glands become blocked. This leads to the formation of blackheads, which later develop into inflammatory pustules, the pimples.

Rosacea: Chronic Skin Condition with Redness

This refers to a chronic skin condition that usually begins in the second half of life. It manifests as patchy redness, and in advanced stages, also pustules, on the face. The redness on the face occurs more prominently on the cheeks and also the nose. The exact causes are still unknown.

Repellent: Insect Repellent

Repellents are topically applied products containing chemical or natural active ingredients and are used to ward off ticks, mosquitoes, and other arachnids and biting insects.

Insect repellents differ in their active ingredient.

The active ingredients are perceived by the insects through their sense of smell and deter them. Furthermore, the active ingredients form a protective layer over your skin, so that your own body odor is masked, and you are therefore not even perceived as a host by insects.

Skin Care for Maintaining the Skin's Acid Mantle

Proper skin care focuses on maintaining and enhancing the skin's natural protective mechanisms. The beneficial and healthy microbes living on the skin prevent harmful microorganisms from spreading unchecked. Furthermore, a fine layer of sebum and its metabolic products form a barrier against intruders. This film covers the entire skin surface, keeping it supple.

The slightly acidic pH value between 5 and 6 inhibits the proliferation of harmful germs. This protective mechanism of the skin is known as the acid mantle. Cleansing with soap, which has a pH value of 9 to 12, disrupts the acid mantle. This does not harm healthy skin, as the acidic protective layer is restored within one to two hours. However, for sensitive, damaged skin or in elderly individuals, cleansing with mildly acidic cleansers may be better. They are gentler on the acid mantle and prevent the skin from swelling as easily.

Essentially, every washing process removes oils and moisture from the skin. Therefore, dry, sensitive skin should be treated with a moisturizer or lotion after washing.

Xeroderma: Dry, Brittle Skin

Xeroderma is a medical term. Dermatologists use it to describe dry and brittle skin.

Blackheads: Comedones: Skin Impurity

Blackheads, or comedones, are a type of skin impurity. They are blockages caused by the keratinization of sebaceous gland follicles. These culprits are often found on the nose, particularly the nostrils, and the chin. They are easily recognized by their dark, pigment-like shape and color.

Blackheads occur particularly frequently during puberty in adolescents but can also reappear throughout life in a milder form. Blackheads, along with pimples, are a typical symptom of acne.

Skin Allergy: Immune Reaction of the Skin to Substances

When substances trigger pathological reactions upon contact with the skin, such as redness, irritation, itching, or blistering, it is often referred to as a "skin allergy." Causes can include allergies (e.g., to animal hair or creams), as well as eczema or neurodermatitis.

Especially with a skin allergy, special and hypoallergenic skin care is very important. You can find specialized skin care products for various skin problems in our shop.

Skin Problems: Skin Irritation

A distinction is generally made between dry, oily, and normal skin, as well as combination skin types. However, a skin type can also change in interaction with other factors such as the season, hormonal changes, etc.

A skin problem occurs when additional deviating symptoms, such as skin irritation, itching, redness, acne, or other unpleasant manifestations, occur in addition to these skin types. These can often be reduced or even cured with the right skin care or medical treatment by a specialist.

Contact Eczema: Skin Irritation After Contact with an Allergen

Contact eczema refers to acute skin irritations or inflammations that develop directly at the site where contact with the allergen occurred. Typical symptoms can include severe itching, redness, and the formation of blisters or scales. Typical contact eczema cases include reactions to wearing earrings that an individual does not tolerate, for example, because the earrings contain nickel or chromium.

Keratinization: Skin Stabilization

The keratinization of the skin ensures that the skin surfaces remain stable. It occurs both in the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and in various mucous membranes. During keratinization, epithelial cells are transformed into keratin-forming cells (keratinocytes) and finally into horny cells (corneocytes).

Neurodermatitis: Chronic, Non-Contagious Skin Disease

Neurodermatitis (atopic or endogenous eczema) is a chronic, non-contagious skin disease that can occur anywhere on the body. The Greek word "atopy" means "placelessness." In the 19th century, it was believed that nerve inflammation was the cause. Hence the term neurodermatitis. In fact, to this day, no single cause for the development of neurodermatitis can be attributed. In any case, a disorder of the immune system in the sense of an allergy is the trigger. This immune disorder is also hereditary.

Neurodermatitis is associated with severe itching in the areas of joint bends, face, neck, hands, and neck and is considered treatable but not curable. It also often occurs in children.