Skin is a highly complex and specialized organ of immunity and defense that functions as a continuous, impassable physical and chemical barrier to keep out water, sunlight, impurities and potentially infectious pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, parasites and fungi. The microorganisms that are residents of skin can't pass through it unless it's broken. Yet the skin's natural ability to exfoliate supports its defense potential, as renewing cells dislodge organisms that have adhered to the surface of the skin as they await their entryway into skin's deeper layers.
Defining Skin Defense
Pollution, cigarette smoke, exposure to light and climate variations… the skin is constantly subjected to the outside world and exposed to damaging environmental factors. These damaging daily factors generate a high amount of free radicals, which overwhelm the body's antioxidant self- defense systems. Pollutants and the free radical damage they cause result in tissue asphyxiation with noticeable alterations to the skin’s coloring.
Protecting the skin from the ravages of ultraviolet radiation and sun exposure is also the key to keeping the stratum corneum layer healthy and operating as an effective shield. Reinhold Dauskardt, Ph.D., of Stanford's Department of Materials Science and Engineering has been studying skin for years. He and his team, including Krysta Biniek and Kemal Levi, focused on the outermost layer of skin--the stratum corneum. It protects deeper layers from drying out or getting infected. Their study was published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The integrity of the stratum corneum, combined with daily broad spectrum protection from U.V. rays is the skin's essential first line of defense.
To fully stimulate the skin's natural defenses, a series of protective actions must occur, including:
- Maintaining the integrity of the epidermis,
- Balancing the cutaneous flora of the epidermis,
- Controlling photo-damage,
- Balancing the hydro-lipidic barrier,
- Controlling oxidative stress (ROS),
- Controlling glycation, and
- Controlling the effects of pollution.
Topical Probiotics for Skin Defense
The skin's flora, more properly referred to as the skin microbiome, are the microorganisms that reside on the skin. Most are found in the superficial layers of the epidermis and the upper parts of hair follicles. Although there are different types of flora that reside on the skin, the majority of bacteria are either benign or deliver protective skin care benefits, while some resident microbes can eventually lead to skin disease. Healthy skin also creates antimicrobial peptides that effectively control the proliferation of skin microbes.
Made from a milk fermentation process and vegetal substrate biotechnology, these ingredients help stimulate the anti-microbial peptides of the keratinocytes. This helps to keep the skin alert, strong and optimally defending itself. Made from a milk fermentation process and vegetal substrate biotechnology, these ingredients help stimulate the anti-microbial peptides of the keratinocytes. This helps to keep the skin alert, strong and optimally defending itself.Mostly associated with gut health, the use of topical probiotics is taking center stage and advancing today’s skin care preparations. NUTRI DEFENSE CRÈME , part of the YON-KA Paris Defense Duo, features Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus, two strains of lactobacillus that serve probiotic functions to balance the skins natural flora and resistance.
Protecting the skin from the ravages of ultraviolet radiation and sun exposure is also the key to keeping the stratum corneum layer healthy and operating as an effective shield.
Skin Barrier Builder Inca Inchi Oil
Organic Inca Inchi oil is a plant native to the Amazonian rainforest used by the indigenous people for its multiple nutrients. Derived from the seeds of the plant, this precious oil is very rich in the essential fatty acids omega 3, 6 and 9, which helps to rebuild the skin lipid mortar and hydro-lipidic film to maintain the proper cohesion of skin cells. Inca Inchi is a primary active ingredient also found in YON-KA's NUTRI DEFENSE CRÈME.
Of additional interest, our organic inca inchi oil is sourced directly from local Peruvian farmers and is part of a development program in Peru for Amazonian reforestation. This is a fair and sustainable trade, involving thousands of families living in the Peruvian Amazonia.
Moringa Seed Peptides for Pollutant Protection
Moringa peptides come from an exotic tree that can grow to 10 meters high. It is an exceptionally nutritious vegetable tree with a variety of potential uses, including food and nutrition. It is also called "nebeday" in Africa, meaning "the tree that never dies." Native to India, it grows in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. Its tuberous root allows it to go without water for several months. It produces white flowers that yield fruits resembling long pods.
The Moringa seed yields 38-40% edible oil (called ben oil from the high concentration of behenic acid contained in the oil). The refined oil is clear, odorless and resists rancidity at least as well as any other botanical oil. The seed cake remaining after oil extraction is still a potent filter which may be used as effective alternative to purify water systems.
The peptide (protein fragments) rich extract processed from the seeds of its pods yields an intense green powdered extract with highly protective and purifying benefits. Their antimicrobial action eliminates the asphyxiating micro-particles produced by the environment, so the skin is purified and can benefit from optimum oxygenation. Moringa also shields the skin and protects DNA from the damaging effects of pollutants and heavy metals such as iron, lead, arsenic, mercury, cobalt, zinc, nickel, tin, copper, manganese, and aluminum. YON-KA's VITAL DEFENSE CRÈME is richly dosed in Moringa Peptides and shields the skin from the asphyxiating effects of pollutants.
Myrtle Free Radical Protection
Myrtle is a fragrant flowering evergreen originating from the Mediterranean region. The myrtle leaf extract is rich in hydro soluble flavonoids and tannins, resulting in a very potent anti-oxidant and skin protecting natural ingredient used in YON-KA’s VITAL DEFENSE CRÈME.
A series of clinical tests (in vitro, ex vivo, explants) performed on myrtle extract stimulated skin cells glutathione recovery rate by +66%. Considered a super antioxidant, glutathione is an essential molecule involved in cell resistance and recovery, and it decreases with age. Clinical tests also demonstrated how cells were two times better protected from the ravages of UV exposure and pollutants. Myrtle extract promotes a well oxygenated, stress free complexion capable of neutralizing the effects of pollutants and free radical damage.
The YON-KA Paris Defense Duo can be customized to suit the specific skin care needs of all skin types and conditions throughout all stages of life. Contact us to learn more: 800-533-6276 or at: www.yonkausa.com
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