7 Natural Elements that Can Lead to Skin Irritations and Why You Need to Know

I am not a mad scientist, but this time I will pretend to be one as it is important. Because in fact, it is not only PMS that could alter our behaviour. When the skin is imbalanced, it also takes away our good mood and positive vibes. So, let’s try to be a chemist for this very minute to understand a little bit more about the daily skin mood that may affect our life in general.

Here we go…

A species of atoms are naturally forming themselves into an element. Our skin’s chemical elements contain “… mainly carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen with small amounts of phosphorous iron, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, calcium, and chlorine and traces of many others.” Due to that chemical composition attached to the skin, it makes every sense that some type of skin with a certain condition may react upon contact with other natural elements. Shedding a bit of light to understand skin irritation, here are the most common natural elements that trigger the skin to react to its temper.

1. Sun
   It consists of 70% hydrogen, 28% helium, 1.5% carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, and 0.5% of all other elements. Our skin has its own ‘adaptor cells’ called ‘melanocytes’ that adjust the light and heat absorption through the layers of the skin. If these melanin-producing cells are not fit to do their task regularly, the skin may irritate.
2. Water
   In general, “water (H2O) is made up of two hydrogen atoms covalently bound to an oxygen atom.” However, there are 2 types of water, (1) ‘Hard Water’ is water that contains salts of calcium and magnesium principally as bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulphates; and (2) ‘Soft Water’ is water that contains low concentrations of ions and in particular, is low in ions of calcium and magnesium. The higher the mineral in the water, the harder the water. The harder the water, the more difficult for the skin to adjust to the composition of its elements. Failing to adjust may suffer the skin into a dermatitis tragedy, such as eczema and psoriasis.
3. Salt
   We produce sweat which is primarily water that contains “minerals or salts such as sodium, potassium and calcium. Trace elements such as iron and copper can also be present.” Water with a high amount of salt easily leaves some sort of crystal formation on the skin surface. This crystallization can also cause skin irritations in those who have sensitive skin. Because salt is subject to heat, so the heat absorption and the freezing capacity of the salt-coated skin may worsen the skin temperature, resulting in the skin cells breakage easily. Not to mention that salt-coated skin creates a sticky surface on the outer layer of skin. Inviting more dust and microbes to hang cool on the skin surface, triggering acne and microbes friends to join afterwards.
4. Dust
   It contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorus and some minor minerals. The first 4 components are the exact composition of our dead skin dust. So basically, the dust we have on Earth are mostly coming from our skin secretion. The problem comes when this dust becomes the nest for fungal and bacterial growth. Imagine when they meet with our sweat on the skin. The skin will scream crying for some help.
5. Air
   The natural phenomenon of temperature drop that occurs most commonly in the winter or rainy seasons or the summer for the higher heat and humidity may suffer the skin, especially the sensitive skin. Cold or Heat and Humid in the Air element is the perfect nest for the virus, bacteria, mould, and fungus to grow and spread. Air is the element that transfers itself to the other elements it touches. Therefore the air quality becomes worse when nature forces them to hang out with the micropollutants that are already hanging in the air. And therefore, sensitive or troubled skin need extra protection during the weather changes to keep the three layers of skin stay fit throughout the four seasons rhythm.
6. Metal
   They are everywhere and consist of a different form of elements. Almost all chemical elements are metal because most of the natural substances are easily oxidized or corroded, which are the two basic characteristics of the metal. On the skin, nickel allergy is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis. This is why jewellery that is made out of nickel is the source of skin allergies. Oxidation and Corrosion are two synchronized natural processes. The allergy mostly happens when our skin is oxidizing contracting with the corrosive metal. It creates a skin rash and an itchy sensation.
7. Fibre
   The chemical composition of fur from the animal is keratin, lipids, minerals and pigments. It has a similar composition to our hair. Some people with oversensitive immune systems have an allergy to a certain animal such as a cat and dog. It is not necessarily because of their fur solely, it could be a mixture of the animal’s urine, saliva, or dead skin cells roll with the fibre of the fur. The same thing goes for some people with skin allergic to wool. It is not because of the sheep. It is simply the fibre that simultaneously and overly tickles the skin that makes the skin rash and itch. So, I have heard that satin and silk support healthy skin and hair while we sleep.

Next time you go shopping, you surely know why you have to pick well the material of the garment and metal for your clothing, accessories, and even pillowcases to avoid any seasonal skin drama and to not trigger the acute skin problem.

During our formulation stage of FridaSkincare products, we also studied these seven natural elements to create our formula to match the skin with sensitivity from Summer to Winter to Summer again. We took a pre-study phase seriously, in a total of +7-year intensive study, combining three R&D laboratories between France and Korea to present You with:

A worry-free skincare line with its cross-seasonal formula heavily contains molecular extracts as its core therapy ingredients in each of our product. FRIDASKINCARE

 

WRITTEN BY: Frida Pigny

Photo Credit: @itsfonlee