Linocream® – barrier repair moisturizer, powered by Vitamin F and Meyer-Zall Laboratories’ (MZL) Emzaloid® Technology
The skin is the body’s largest organ, weighing almost 4 kg, covering 2 m2, but is only 2 mm thick. Without it we cannot survive, as it protects us from water loss that leads to dry skin and against irritants, bacteria and fungi that can cause skin infections. A healthy epidermis also provides natural protection against UV rays of the sun. It is the skin’s job to waterproof human beings and that task is performed by the epidermis. The top layer of the skin (stratum corneum) is similar to a wall of bricks and mortar. These ‘bricks’ consist of keratin (same material as your nails) and the ‘mortar’ is a combination of fats (ceramides, fatty acids) and cholesterol; together they form a formidable protective barrier. Chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are:
- unpleasant
- embarrassing
- annoying
- have a negative impact on quality of life.
In the UK more than a million people suffer from eczema; affecting 20% of children and 3% of adults. The basic cause of eczema is complex with many interrelated biological pathways including disruption of the skin barrier and the reaction thereto by the body’s immune system.
- More and more evidence points to the one fueling the other.
- Some experts say inflammation is the primary reaction whilst others say it is a leaky skin.
A leaky epidermis (skin) is much like a leaky roof: unless you stop the leak it is not going to get better. The leakage can, however, be stopped by what experts call physiological moisturisers that supply the ingredients that the skin requires to stop the loss of water.
One of the problems with a leaky epidermis is that the skin cannot make two of the essential ingredients it requires. They are Omega 3 (Linolenic acid) and Omega 6 (Linoleic acid) and have to be taken orally or preferably applied topically to ensure a healthy skin. Without these essential lipids, the barrier is weakened; simply put, it is leaky.
A weak or damaged barrier allows harmful things like allergens, bacteria, and irritants to pass through into the deeper layers of skin, causing symptoms of dryness, itching, and irritation and is the trigger for a variety of skin diseases like eczema.
Linocream can help repair the epidermis because it contains Vitamin F
Vitamin F was discovered as far back as the 1920’s and in the same Laboratory where Vitamin E was discovered a few years earlier and is one of the best kept secrets for skincare. Vitamin F is a combination of different types of omegas which make up the barrier of your skin. Without vitamin F the skin’s barrier is compromised.
The indispensable Omega 6 (Linoleic acid) is probably the Super Star of the skin as it also helps with the formation of another critically important epidermal fat, Ceramide 1.
“The essential fatty acid, linoleic acid is of particular significance to skin health as it contributes to the formation of ceramides essential for the structure of the epidermal barrier” (Dr Kendall, Univ. of Manchester, Biomembranes Journal).
In addition to the benefits provided by Vitamin F, Linocream is also boosted by the Emzaloid® transdermal delivery system which aids the penetration of the ingredients into the epidermis.
Linocream can be of help in restoring the epidermis to its normal function
- Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are part and parcel of treating eczema and psoriasis
- TCS are excellent for short-term use but doctors and patients alike are concerned about the negative effects that long-term use of TCS bring about.
- Continuous application of TCS cause visible side effects such as atrophy, bleeding into the surface of the skin, spider veins and irreversible stretch marks.
- All of this means that it makes sense to limit the ongoing/chronic use of topical corticosteroids (TCS).
- These side effects can to a large extent be prevented by using a steroid sparing physiological moisturiser like Linocream in conjunction with TCS when treatment is started and to persist with Linocream when TCS treatment is discontinued; almost like a buddy system.
Linocream will continue to moisturize the skin, maintain a healthy epidermis and keep inflammation in check. All brought about by the wonders of Vitamin F; powered by Emzaloid® technology.
“Whenever you see an inflamed skin, regardless of cause, the stratum corneum is leaky and permeable. But if you repair the stratum corneum, that tells the underlying tissues that they don’t have to keep reacting like there’s danger in the environment.” (Albert Kligman, M.D., Ph.D.; 1919-2010).