Why it matters so much to take care of your skin from head to toe
When it comes to skincare, the majority of people think only about the skin on their face. The facial skincare global market size is valued at a staggering 90.76 billion USD as of 2022 and is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2023-2030.
Conversely, the market size for body care products come in at a fraction relatively, valued at approximately 14.68 billion USD as of 2023. What does this tell us? In part, that many of us haven’t yet embraced the idea that the skin on our bodies needs the same TLC as the skin on our face, and that there is an opportunity for further education as to why whole-body skincare matters.
The importance of taking a skincare approach to the body
A body care routine is essential for overall health and well-being. Though the skin on the arms, legs and torso may seemingly receive less exposure to the elements than the skin on the face, providing relief from dryness, increasing comfort and improving the quality of life for many people are just a few of the reasons to prioritize head to toe skin protection and renewal.
Holistic skin health means that we are taking a natural approach to skin and body care, considering the whole of a person. This is based on the idea that the quality and health of our skin can reflect how well we are taking care of ourselves and can also act as an indicator of poor health, showing us that we need to be investing more consistently into routines and rituals for body care improvement.
What is the skin barrier and why does it matter?
One of the key indicators of skin health is a nourished, hydrated and well-functioning skin barrier. The skin barrier, sometimes called the skin’s moisture barrier, in its most simple terms, is the outer layer of your skin. The upper layer of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum serves as the primary barrier between the body and the external environment. You can think of it like a forcefield or a shield that works to protect everything that is underneath it.
A primary function of the skin barrier is to hold moisture in the skin, and to prevent anything unwanted (like germs, viruses, allergens, etc) from entering the body. Your skin barrier also helps protect your body from free radicals like pollution, UV rays, sun damage and even from stress. When a part of our bodies is working this hard to protect us, we think it’s worth taking the time to invest in its good health and well-being!
Signs of a damaged skin barrier and how to repair it
There are tell-tale signs of a damaged skin barrier, which may include:
- Skin that feels dry, tight or is chapped or flaking
- Skin that presents as red or itchy, which is a visible sign of irritation
- Itchiness or feeling prone to irritation may be a sign the skin has become sensitized
- You may notice a reactivity or sensitivity, in which the skin begins to feel susceptible to external factors like environmental aggressors or even the introduction of certain skincare products
Taking the necessary steps to repair a damaged skin barrier can help bring ease and relief, as well as feelings of support and comfort. Some of the ways in which a compromised skin moisture barrier can be relieved include:
- Using lukewarm water instead of hot water. Limiting the amount of time spent in the bath or shower, and keeping the temperature as tepid as you can to avoid drying or stripping the skin of much needed moisture
- Focusing on hydration, and using body care products that include humectants, emollients and occlusives that are well-studied for the many beneficial properties they offer skin that is compromised or damaged
- Less is more. Avoiding the temptation to overuse skin and body care products that can potentially further irritate the skin. Instead, focusing on products containing ingredients that are known to be mild and gentle and that place a focus on moisture retention and skin nurturance
What is trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and how can I prevent it?
Trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the ways to measure proper performance and integrity of the skin, relating directly to water evaporating from the skin to the outside environment. TEWL is also one of the primary indicators of how the skin barrier is functioning, and we would be remiss not to mention that this water loss is completely normal and is inevitable in all people.
Though this is a natural physiological process, there are extenuating circumstances that can exacerbate TEWL, like low humidity environments (often worsened by indoor heat or air conditioning), other environmental factors like pollution or UV radiation, as well as skincare habits like over washing, using harsh or abrasive products and even other lifestyle factors like certain medications. What’s more important than worrying about losing the water in our skin is how we go about restoring it, to ensure a properly functioning and healthy skin barrier.
So how exactly do we prevent the harsh effects of trans epidermal water loss on our skin? We look closely at some of the factors that can cause it and do our best to fight fire with fire. For example, consistently moisturizing the skin with products that include good quality humectants, emollients and occlusives, and monitoring environmental factors like humidity, temperature and ventilation whenever these things are within our control.
Meet your skin’s new best friends: the Dermedial Carrot+ collection
Here at Saje, we know that dry skin is compromised skin. Skin that experiences excessive and prolonged dryness can become sensitive, reactive, irritated and over time can lose its elasticity, become dull and dehydrated, and can visibly present with premature signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Enter: the Dermedial Carrot+ collection, our brand-new restorative barrier lotion.
The newest addition to our body care collection, Dermedial Carrot+ lotion were designed to address a gap we see in the market: a 100% plant-powered, all-over body lotion that was formulated to help protect the skin's appearance from the visible effects of every day environmental elements such as sun exposure, wind and pollution.
These stressors can cause signs of premature aging like dryness, visible redness and irritation, loss of elasticity, textural concerns and more, which is why we worked tirelessly to create a targeted solution that provides support to your skin's innate renewal process and aids in improving the skin's surface texture for a more revitalized look.
Innovation in formulation
Our innovative formulations were thoughtfully crafted with essential oils and other functional base ingredients that work to enable the skin barrier's natural abilities; it supports the skin's natural moisture barrier to help maintain its vibrant and radiant appearance, and helps maintain the skin's natural, healthy appearance when exposed to daily environmental factors and free radicals that can cause depletion. The result is skin that looks visibly healthier, nourished, refreshed and that demonstrates improved resilience.
Why we created the Dermedial Carrot+ formulations
Dermedial Carrot+ was formulated to address the concerns of consistent and cumulative exposure to environmental stressors. Our skin is our first defensive barrier when facing challenges from the elements. Though our skin is naturally resilient, strong, adaptable and incredibly capable of healing, repair and regeneration, the addition of a targeted body care product to support these processes can be highly beneficial. Dermedial Carrot+ was created in support of this natural restoration process that promises to deliver rich, restorative and renewing hydration that can be used daily to promote the visible look and feel of healthy and supple skin.
Hero ingredients in our Dermedial Carrot+ formulations
Our body lotions, mists and all skin and body care products at Saje are formulated to be free of many known irritants for the skin: artificial fragrances, dyes, harsh solvents or drying alcohols. Instead, our lotions are made with a nutrient-dense base formula that includes skin-enhancing aloe vera, skincare-superhero rosehip oil and a staple skincare ingredient, jojoba oil, the only plant which produces significant quantities of liquid wax esters that closely mirror the natural restorative esters produced by human sebaceous glands, referred to as sebum.
Key ingredient #1: magnolia berry extract
One of the hero ingredients in our new Dermedial Carrot+ lotion is a lesser used ingredient in skin and body care called magnolia berry extract. More commonly referred to as schisandra berry, this extract is derived from the edible fruits of the vine plant, native to the forests in Northern China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these berries are considered essential to qi, the life force or energy that is inherent in all living things.
Relative to skin health, magnolia berries are full of potent antioxidants that promote radiance and can combat stress and fatigue in the skin, which can show up as skin laxity and loss of elasticity. These super berries are widely used to support the appearance of various skin conditions due to their potent ability to reduce the visible appearance of inflammation, irritation, dryness or redness, in the skin. When you’re looking for an ingredient that restores balance, helps provide radiance and creates a smooth and supple texture, look no further.
Key ingredient #2: carrot seed oil
We see the ingredient “carrot” in the name of our new formulations, so you had to know it was going to play a role in what makes these products special. Not to be confused with carrot oil, carrot seed oil is an important part of this formulation, that has the unique ability to support restoration of the skin's appearance from environmental damage such as prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun and other stressors.
Capable of supporting the appearance of a wide variety of skin ailments, we love carrot seed oil for its powerful antioxidant protection that promotes improved skin texture and can work to minimize visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Carrot seed oil combines two potent vitamins, reparative vitamin A and skin-brightening vitamin C, which can help to smooth fine lines, provide vibrancy and help create the appearance of skin tone evenness.
Key ingredient #3: sandalwood oil
Sandalwood is a precious essential oil, prized for its ability to provide deep grounding and restoration to the body and mind. Derived from the heartwood of the sustainably grown Indian sandalwood trees, relative to skincare this oil is rich in antioxidants and is tonifying for the skin.
This protective oil can help reduce the negative effects of environmental stressors and free radicals, which can in turn reduce many visible signs of aging and can support relief of oxidative stress (an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals in the body). Sandalwood works to reduce visible dryness and replenishes moisture-depleted skin for the look of radiance and vibrancy.
Sandalwood has shown promise in the treatment of many skin conditions and continues to be studied for “its broader use as the basis of novel therapies in dermatology”.
Humectants, emollients and occlusives
Other functional ingredients in the base of our Dermedial Carrot+ formulations were includes to act as humectants, emollients and occlusives in the formula, enhancing its abilities to nourish, protect and repair the skin barrier. A humectant is a substance that helps draw water into the skin to provide hydration. Emollients have the qualities of softening or soothing the skin, creating a film or barrier on the skin to lock in moisture. Finally, occlusives are ingredients that help form a physical barrier on the skin to prevent water loss, and to seal in moisture for the prevention of future moisture loss.
In this new product line, we’re showcasing 5 base ingredients selected for the ways in which they can provide nurturance to the skin and help reduce the visible look and feel of skin and body care concerns like dryness, itching, redness and the appearance of irritation.
- Aloe vera leaf is known for improving skin barrier function, increasing the skin’s moisture content, and enhancing skin firmness and elasticity. It’s known to be deeply moisturizing and has the potential to revitalize dry, chapped and damaged skin.
- Rosehip oil is considered a valuable oil because it contains essential fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols and phenolics with functional properties. Rosehip oil has a high content of antioxidant compounds and high amounts of carotenoids that help protect the skin against damaging free radicals. Lightweight and easily absorbed, it helps keep skin hydrated and softened.
- Sweet almond oil contains emollient properties that help to improve the skin's tone. Moisturizing, nourishing, soothing and helping to improve the visible appearance of skin’s elasticity, this oil is smoothing, supple and may support the improved appearance of the skin’s texture and tone.
- Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm, and is known to nourish the skin, leaving it soft and silky. Topical application of coconut oil improves the skin's moisture barrier function and can help prevent water loss from the skin.
- Jojoba oil can be used as a natural emollient for all skin types. It has many skin benefits such as moisturizing properties and can visibly reduce wrinkles and signs and symptoms of aging, like fine lines. It can ease visible signs of inflammation like dryness in the skin and is a humectant, drawing water from the air to the skin’s top layer for emollient moisturization.
A celebration in ingredient sourcing
The supplier we’re using for our magnolia berry extract comes to us from a region in China where their facility has been FairWild certified since 2021. The Pingwu County Shuijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Planting Professional Cooperative (Pingwu Co-operative for short) was established in 2009, although collectors have been harvesting wild plant products in the area for generations.
By organizing into a co-operative, the local collectors have been able to achieve certifications for their products, including organic and FairWild. The FairWild Standard applies to wild plant collection operations wishing to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable collection, social responsibility and fair-trade principles. Respecting traditions and cultures, and supporting the livelihoods of all stakeholders, in particular collectors and workers, are key components of this initiative.
To learn more, visit: https://www.fairwild.org/all-fairwild-participants/pingwu
We’re thrilled to share the new Dermedial Carrot+ collection with our community and look forward to your thoughts and feedback.
