Skin cleansing

Daily skin cleansing, at any age is an important and essential procedure for our own care, since it not only removes dirt or any bacteria from the skin, but also the dead surface skin cells, preparing the skin to better absorb the topical treatments (drugs/creams).
Common problems such as irritation, xerosis, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and photodamage, leave the skin vulnerable to external insults mainly due to an alteration of the stratum corneum (SC) skin barrier.
In the daily skin cleansing is therefore important to minimize any further weakening of the stratum corneum barrier, using mild and emollients cleansers, with neutral or acid pH (about pH 5.5) that do not attack or alter this barrier causing dryness, irritation and itching.

Intimate cleansing

Intimate cleansing includes all those practices that are designed to maintain a good state of health of the genitals and their functions in good working order. The habit of a good hygiene is a very healthy practice that should be taught from an early age. In fact it is important not only to establish the simple mode of washing and cleaning, but also and above all to adopt a series of useful behaviors for preventing various kinds of disorders (discharge, irritation, inflammation, cystitis, etc.). It is important to perform the intimate by washing and rinsing always from the top to bottom, so as not to drag the intestinal bacteria of the anal area to the vagina and urethra. It is recommended to cleanse intimate areas with specific products as this area is covered with a mucous layer, does not have a corneum stratum with a protective function, then it is a very delicate, vulnerable and permeable area. In addition in the inner genital area of the woman, the pH is more acidic than the rest of the skin, and this for a very precise purpose. In fact he acidic environment, favors the presence of specific useful and not harmful microorganisms, and inhibits, both directly and indirectly, the colonization of other harmful microorganisms. So too alkaline soaps are not good for the intimate areas cleansing, as this would cause a change in pH and this, in turn, would encourage the indiscriminate growth of Candida and other pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, a proper hygiene must always respect the natural defenses present on the genitals, especially the vagina, because it constitutes the link between the outside and the interior system and it acts as a barrier against any “aggressor.” Numerous studies confirm that many young people have irritation, redness and infection of the genitals, caused simply by poor or improper hygiene. A proper and careful hygiene is therefore an important first step to intervene and prevent of a variety of disorders affecting the reproductive system of male and female. A proper hygiene is essential both for women than for men because is essential to avoid stagnation of secretions that can easily cause alkalinity and irritation of the genital mucosa. Being particularly sensitive areas, are provided with numerous sebaceous glands which ensure a constant lubrication. It is this sebum which, once deposited in the folds of the genital mucosa, it oxidizes and is attacked by bacteria. Furthermore the female reproductive system is regulated by a hormonal mechanism that changes in the course of life, from adolescence to mature period and the menopause. It is important to keep in balance this natural mechanism having care and respecting certain rules of hygiene. This can result in inflammation and infectious states of the vagina and cervix, which may expand and cause problems to the partner. There are also allergic irritative and traumatic diseases, for reaction to chemicals, or for the use of synthetic underwear or for the rubber latex of condoms. Even too frequent sex, rubbing of tight clothing, some sports (like horse riding or cycling) can cause irritation to the genitals. Therefore a proper hygiene, in the presence of all these causes, can prevent the spread of germs and more serious consequences. For a proper hygiene should be used detergents able to avoid compromising the natural acidity of the environment. The ideal products are the specific acidic cleaners formulated for this area of the body. In women during the menstrual period personal hygiene must be particularly accurate and frequently, especially during the days of menstruation using acidic cleaners with a pH around 4. During the period of menopause, characterized by the cessation of reproductive activity and of the production of estrogen (hormones that are also used to maintain vital and elastic tissues of the genitals), there is a marked decrease of major structural defenses, so it is extremely important to follow a scrupulous hygiene, in order to prevent the onset of irritating disorders. The period of pregnancy ultimately requires a thorough cleansing and a special hygienic care, especially because of those white discharge resulting from increased production of mucus, which could enhance the colonization of pathogens. Cleaning should be done at least twice a day with a adequate cleaning agent. The choice of intimate cleanser is very important for a proper genital hygiene and the maintenance of their health. A good cleanser in fact, must respect the physiological pH and bacterial flora naturally present in the vagina. In woman the pH changes with the age: it has values ​​between 3.5-4.5 during the childbearing years then should be used detergents with a pH around 3.5-5.5, while it is more high in menopause and in pre-pubertal. So the cleanser must always be adapted to the specific needs and different events which occur naturally in the course of life. The cleaner also does not contain harsh surfactants, which do not respect the vaginal flora and thin the vulvar mucosa, or perfumes that are responsible for frequent allergic reactions. It should have an antiseptic, deodorant and significant refreshing action for the well being of women and men, and possibly should contain herbal extracts that play a soothing, moisturizing and emollient action.