Protecting the skin’s ability to protect itself

A new soap ingredient enhances the natural capacity of the skin to fight germs, writes Dr Joanna Wu. The new additive comes from a product that’s been with us for centuries – flaxseed oil.

For many years, soap ingredients have been dominated by components that promise to protect people against germs on the skin’s surface through the power of synthetic compounds. Recently, a far more natural approach has found great success – using the skin’s own ability to cleanse and protect itself.

After all, our skins are not powerless to protect us from germs and other microbes. The human skin naturally produces antimicrobial peptides, also called AMPs1, which help protect us from germs to help keep us protected.

AMPs are produced by keratinocytes – cells on the skin epidermis – to defend against germs.
However, AMP levels on the skin are not constant, which sometimes leave us exposed to germs. An innovative skin health solution is now taking shape – applying natural ingredients which help to boost the skin’s natural AMP levels.

Among these ingredients, flaxseed oil has emerged as a particularly effective ally in the war with germs. Flaxseed contains extraordinarily high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, or alpha-linolenic acid, which can increase the skin’s natural AMP production.

Flaxseed oil is one of the richest plant-derived sources of omega-3. Our skins need omega-32 for different cellular functions and it is crucial for providing a nourishing lipid barrier3.

Lipids bond with our skin cells, essentially keeping water within our bodies, while protecting us against germs.

Because of its importance in building this barrier, omega-3 is called an “essential fatty acid”. While our bodies cannot synthesise it, it is critical to normal physiological functioning. The only way to get omega-3 is from oral intake or topical application.

While our skins might not be able to fully absorb flaxseed oil through the surface, it does provide benefits such as nourishing the skin, helping skin hydration, improving barrier function and fighting germs.

At Protex, we previously followed a similar approach to other hygiene soaps on the market, focusing on using ingredients like triclocarban and phenoxyethanol to help protect the skin from germs. While these are effective, some consumers find them harsh on the skin and they also have environmental impacts.

We therefore decided to follow a new direction in trying to find more natural ways to deliver the same protection benefit without sacrificing skin comfort, or the environment. This is what led us to Protex with flaxseed oil.

Our ongoing studies indicate that formulations with flaxseed oil in the bar soap are able to increase the skin’s production of AMP – significantly enhancing the skin’s natural defensive capability.

In our tests, we observed that AMP production was enhanced for up to 24 hours after the last product application. Combining flaxseed oil with other ingredients, we were able to show even further skin benefits – such as even better skin hydration and a stronger lipid barrier compared to ordinary bar soaps without flaxseed oil.

Our formal findings on the function of flaxseed oil in boosting the skin’s AMP production will be published soon. However, the effectiveness of flaxseed oil as a soap ingredient is becoming clear, and the product is already available to people looking to protect their skin. Protex now with flaxseed oil is tough on germs but gentle on the skin.

Flax, also known as linseed, has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, being cultivated for food and fibre, and as a source of oil. It has also been found to have nutritional benefits4.

Now humanity’s journey with the flax plant looks likely to continue deep into the current millennium, as we begin to unlock more of the skincare benefits of this versatile plant and its derivatives.

Protex with flaxseed oil bar soap is available at chemists, health outlets and supermarkets.

Protex – Protect your health

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