The
unique geographical location of the Dead Sea, the concentration of salts in its
waters and the unique content of those waters and salts all contribute to the
Dead Sea's unique medicinal properties that have been known to man for
thousands of years.
All together the sea contains over twenty one minerals which are proven to beautify the skin and keep it
healthy and youthful. Even plants
growing along the shores of the sea have a high concentration of vitamins,
minerals and valuable oils which are used in dermatology cosmetics and
medicine. The major minerals found in the Dead Sea are also actually essential for
the proper functioning of skin cells making for a healthy, beautiful skin.
The Mineral salts and mud of
the Dead Sea have a unique healing and beautifying effect on the skin. By just
soaking in the salty waters most people with psoriasis and other skin problems will experience relief of their skin problem. Dead Sea minerals are known to cure
skin disorders by helping to strengthen the skin tissue, maintain the chemical
balance of the skin, stimulate blood circulation and eliminate toxins from
the skin. Dermatologists all over the world prescribe patients with Psoriasis
or other skin disorders to take mineral baths in the Dead Sea. The mineral
composition found in Dead Sea salt is a unique blend for the beautifying and
therapeutic effect on skin.
However, to fully enjoy the benefits
of these minerals, you have to actually
be there, expose yourself to the unique filtered UV light and relax in
the element saturated air. Simply, transporting mud or
salts elsewhere will just NOT give the same results. Unless, that is, they are skillfully employed in a skin care formulation.
So, why use Dead Sea mineral components
in skin care?
The skin is a semi permeable membrane
that responds to osmotic pressure by either absorbing moisture or
releasing waste. The minerals in Dead Sea water can act as important catalysts
in the numerous metabolic
processes involved.
The careful inclusion and exploitation of
Dead Sea Minerals in Skin Care formulations can be used to encourage these
metabolic processes to behave in an optimal fashion for the benefit of the
skin. The concentration range required
to activate need only be small. At 0.5%,
or even less, they can support cell functioning and enhance these metabolic processes.
And, why use Dead Sea
mineral components in Oily, Acne prone skin care in particular?
There is no life in the waters of the Dead
Sea. This means it is capable of killing
microorganisms. If correctly used, Dead
Sea water, mud or salts offer excellent potential as natural antimicrobials for
acne prone skin. To achieve this however,
the presence of Dead Sea raw materials does need to be a little more substantial.
Anna Lotan makes highly effective use of Dead Sea Minerals, but only where their use is appropriate.
So, tell me about Dead Sea Minerals and Osmotic Pressure?
Inside the
body there is a physiological fluid which has a typical salinity of 0.9% (just like the saline
solution that is often used in hospitals to compensate for fluid loss).
On the
surface of the skin (the outside of the membrane), we can use
either a higher salt concentration and create a "HYPER-tonic" fluid, such as
Mediterranean sea water or Dead Sea water or, the opposite, a "HYPO- tonic" medium such as a completely salt free GEL, the kind that is used in Anna Lotan Aloe Barbadensis Gel.
The effect
on the surface membrane is also opposite. The skin has a permanent tendency to try to even out the
salt concentration on either side of the membrane. This creates an osmotic pressure to “get things moving” around the skin.
So, dipping
into the salty sea means that the body fluids want to go out of the
skin. From an osmotic point of view, you may say that the fluids from inside “want to go out and reduce the salinity on the outside”. This does create a slight drying effect (which you may feel shortly after
swimming) but it is also energizing, because all the waste removal is also
increased and the metabolism is enhanced.
Thus, the "careful" use of Dead Sea Minerals in Skin Care products, such as the Anna Lotan CLEAR Dead Sea Bio-Peel Salvital, produces the same effect. Osmotic pressure helps to clear impurities and promote a healthier skin. "Careful" is an important consideration however. Just adding a heap of Dead Sea Minerals to a Skin Care product can have negative effects and cause new problems, not the least of which is overdrying the skin.
For completeness, we should also describe the the opposite osmotic effect. In cases where a very hydrating effect is required, which is very useful after, for example, “a burn”. During a burn, the heat causes contraction of the skin cells and the pores.
They close and do not allow the permanent evaporation to take place normally –
which may mean, at a time of a more serious burn – the formation of a blister. In this case, a salt free gel, such as the Anna Lotan Alódem Soothing Mask, will try to enter through the skin’s membrane and even out the salinity on the inside. It creates a “plumping effect” on the skin, which softens and becomes hydrated. The pores “open up” and evaporation is enabled
again. The blisters do not form and the cooling effect of the gel (which acts
as an artificial sweat, especially if a ventilator, or better still, an air
conditioner blows cold air in its direction) means little or no pain is felt and the
discomfort of the burn may very quickly disappear.
What are the Minerals found in The Dead Sea?
All together the
Dead Sea contains over 21 minerals which have been proven to beautify the skin
and keep it healthy and youthful. Even
plants growing along the shores of the Dead Sea have a high concentration of
vitamins, minerals and valuable oils which are used in dermatology cosmetics
and medicine. The major minerals found in the Dead Sea are actually essential
for the proper functioning of skin cells making a significant contribution to
maintaining a healthy, beautiful skin
Magnesium - A therapeutic
mineral which helps the healing of skin tissue, acts as an antiallergenic agent
on the skin, improves cell metabolism, stimulates protein synthesis and
facilitates energy production.
Bromine - Soothes your
skin with anti-inflammatory properties, calms and relaxes muscles and calms
skin nerves.
Iodine - improves
functioning of the thyroid gland and helps the skin cells' metabolic exchanges.
Sulfur - Is a known
therapeutic mineral. It contains certain essential vitamins and is a natural
disinfectant and antibacterial agent - thus making it effective against acne. It has also
been shown effective in helping relieve symptoms of skin disorders such as
Psoriasis and Eczema.
Potassium - is a key
moisture regulator and helps preserve a neutral skin environment. Signs of
potassium deficiency include abnormally dry skin and acne as well as flare ups
of Psoriasis.
Calcium - is the
building block for corrective tissue under the skin's surface and plays an
important role in cell protection. It regulates cell membrane permeability (absorption and
oil production) and normalizes skin cells' differentiation.
Sodium - this Dead Sea
mineral improves the skin cells metabolism, relieves muscle cramps and
stiffness while maintaining a neutral environment within skin cells.
Zinc - This mineral
is important for the natural regulation of cell growth and regeneration. It also facilitates cell renewal and
stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis (renews skin). A
great antioxidant this mineral is a free radicals scavenger. It also improves sebo-regulation
(anti-acne properties), anti-inflammatory properties
and is a natural UV ray blocker.
Strontium - has effective
anti-itching properties, reduces the signs of irritant contact dermatitis (a
common problem for those with sensitive skin who regularly use cosmetics)
Manganese - Well known
for powerful antioxidant properties out of all minerals. It also increases skin
microcirculation (which promotes better anti-aging effects) and improves the
condition of connective tissues.
Lithium - this Dead Sea
mineral increases the effectiveness of bath salt treatment for psoriasis.
Boron - replenishment
of the Boron mineral helps to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and psoriatic
arthritis.