Corneotherapy and why I choose this method as a way to treat your skin.

When it comes to caring for our skin, we must truly see it as a complex and highly efficient organ that makes up our whole body system.

Our skin's most important function is to provide protection to our internal organs and provide a barrier to the outside world. Other parts include heat regulation, secretion & excretion (sweat and sebum), sensation, and the absorption of vitamin d.

If we follow the methods of corneotherapy, then not only are we supporting our skin's natural functions, but we are better able to support the organ as it faces internal and external stressors.

So what is corneotherapy?

Corneotherapy is an individualized approach to skin care and treatment, with its core principle being the repair and maintenance of the skin barrier systems at all times.

The skin's defense system includes three essential features:

The first line of defense – The Acid Mantle, aka the skin microbiome. The skin microbiome includes a very diverse array of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, most of which are harmless and even beneficial to us. These microorganisms have an essential role in protecting us against pathogens, the education of our immune system, and the breakdown of natural products.

The second line of defense – The Corneocyte, a.k.a "dead skin cells." Corneocytes make up the stratum corneum which is the outermost layer of the skin. Often referred to as a "brick and mortar" type of structure, corneocytes are the 'bricks" and are primarily responsible for the mechanical strength of the barrier.

The third line of defense – The lipid bi-layers, a.k.a Multi Lamellar Lipids Structure. The lamellar lipid structure is the "mortar" that holds the corneocytes together and includes a triple layer of lipids, consisting of free fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides.

Maintaining the balance of these critical components helps the skin retain water effectively, maintain hydration, and prevent pathogens and other impurities from penetrating the skin and causing issues.

While it is normal for our skin barrier to weaken with age, other factors can compromise the structure, including stress, UV ray exposure, cold weather, blue light from devices and pollution, disease, genetics, and various mechanical, physical, chemical, and psychological stressors.

Creating an individualized treatment plan includes a thorough skin analysis and a detailed physical history.

The 3 Rs of corneotherapy

Repair - an essential first step is to repair the skin's barrier defense systems, focusing on removing any products or ingredients that may be contributing to the breakdown. These can include cleansers, acids, emulsifiers, and exfoliants.

Replenish - once the barrier is intact, focus shifts to what the skin is missing—focusing on skin barrier strengthening ingredients like ceramides, cholesterols, and free fatty acids.

Regenerate - now that we have added supporting ingredients or products, we have to understand it can take days to weeks, to months for the barrier to repair itself fully. It's also important to consider any internal factors like dietary deficiencies or genetic factors impacting how our skin regenerates.

A virtual consult is a great way to get started, especially if you feel like you have been spending a lot of time and money trying to get your skin back on track. Once a detailed history is obtained, an individualized treatment plan can be made. This treatment plan will include the use or discontinued use of specific ingredients, depending on the skin condition.

Book a Skin Health Virtual Consultation here!