The skin is the largest organ of the human body and mainly acts as a physical barrier between the internal environment of the body and external irritants, such as harmful microorganisms, foreign protein compounds, various chemicals and other unfavorable conditions of the human environment. This protective function of the skin is achieved thanks to the so-called epidermal barrier, which, among other things, regulates many metabolic processes and limits transepidermal water loss, thus maintaining the necessary level of hydration and the normal condition of the skin.
The structure and functional characteristics of the epidermal barrier depend on a number of age-related characteristics and the presence of dermatological diseases. Numerous studies note that in newborns and infants, the maturation of the epidermal barrier continues from birth to the first year of life, so the skin during this "critical" period has a reduced protective function, and therefore is more susceptible to the adverse effects of various external factors. For example, the skin of full-term newborns is approximately 30% thinner than that of adults and has significantly fewer structural components necessary for barrier integrity: lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids) and filaggrin, which is converted into a natural moisturizing factor. This deficiency is most pronounced in the facial area. These characteristics negatively impact barrier function, increasing skin permeability and reducing hydration. As a result, we observe in children an increased tendency to develop inflammatory reactions, dryness and flaking of the skin, along with a higher risk of penetration of allergens and harmful microorganisms through the skin, contributing to the development of secondary infections and allergic diseases, and also further destroying the already weak epidermal barrier.
The skin microbiome is currently given considerable importance. Interestingly, the normal composition of the microbiome has a significant impact on the developing immune system of the child, while various adverse changes in the microbial community are often associated with a disruption of the integrity of the epidermal barrier and also precede the development of allergic sensitization.
The above changes are especially characteristic of children predisposed to the development of atopic dermatitis: when one or both parents have at least one allergic disease. Such children exhibit a persistent defective epidermal barrier with impaired structure and function, pathological changes in the microbiome with frequent episodes of secondary infection, a tendency to xerosis and the appearance of common inflammatory rashes typical of atopic dermatitis, accompanied by severe itching.
That is why it is extremely important for such children to create an additional protective barrier from birth and ensure gentle cleansing and care of the skin, which is achieved through the use of specialized dermatocosmetics. One such line of cosmetics recommended by dermatologists for dry and atopic skin is CERAFAVIT by LIBREDERM. These products can be used from the first days of a child's life. Products in this line are available in several child-friendly forms, which can be selected based on preferences and individual skin characteristics: for the first stage of cleansing, there is a lipid-restoring emollient shower oil, as well as for the second stage of basic care, a milk for dry and very dry skin and a triple-action balm for the face and body. Products in the CERAFAVIT line help soften and soothe sensitive skin, restore the protective functions of the epidermal barrier and the normal composition of the skin microbiome, and also reduce dryness, erythema, and itching by three times when used as a basic therapy for atopic dermatitis in combination with active therapy with topical glucocorticosteroids, which is individually prescribed by a specialist depending on the severity of the disease and the age of the child. With this treatment regimen, CERAFAVIT products can reduce the total need for topical hormonal treatments by more than half after just 12 weeks of use. The high effectiveness of CERAFAVIT products from the LIBREDERM brand is achieved through the combined action of their active ingredients. These include structural components of the skin barrier, aimed at restoring skin lipids, and moisturizing substances with a prebiotic based on gluco-oligopolysaccharides and inulin, which selectively stimulates the growth and metabolic activity of beneficial microflora. In addition, these products are safe for the child's skin, since they do not contain plant or other protein allergens that promote sensitization, and do not contain irritating components in the form of dyes, fragrances and preservatives that often cause contact allergies.
But even the use of such modern external moisturizers (emollients) should be accompanied by adherence to the basic principles of skin care for children, especially those prone to atopy:
- Emollients should be used in sufficient quantities, freely, as needed, on average 1-2 times a day;
- Apply the emollient to the child's skin with clean hands;
- It is recommended to use emollients After a shower/bath;
- Apply the emollient in an even, thin layer, especially in summer;
- You can bathe your baby as needed, as often as needed, however, it is important to adhere to a certain duration of water procedures - no more than 5-7 minutes in warm water (not > 37oC), hot water will only dry the skin.
- When bathing, use special moisturizing/cleansing oils or shower gels, but not alkaline soap, which disrupts the acidity of the skin and the structure of the epidermal barrier.
Blume-Peytavi U, Tan J, Tennstedt D, et al. Fragility of epidermis in newborns, children and adolescents. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 May;30 Suppl 4:3-56. doi: 10.1111/jdv.13636. Erratum in: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Sep;30(9):1634.
Gür Çetinkaya P, Şahiner ÜM. Childhood atopic dermatitis: current developments, treatment approaches, and future expectations. Turk J Med Sci. 2019 Aug 8;49(4):963-984. doi: 10.3906/sag-1810-105.
Eichenfield LF, Tom WL, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: section 2. Management and treatment of atopic dermatitis with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Jul;71(1):116-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.023.