Did you know that the skin naturally renews itself every four weeks? It’s actually a really cool process. Let me explain. It takes place in the epidermis, or the outer layer of the skin. The cells divide indefinitely in the basal layer, producing new keratinocytes that migrate and differentiate up to the stratum corneum where they become dead cornified cells: corneocytes. These reinforced cells physically protect the inner body like a shield of armor, avoiding water loss and penetration from the outside.

Unfortunately, this keratinization can be disturbed when the skin becomes dry, after sun exposure, or in the event that the skin thickens itself.

But there’s no reason to worry! There are several options that you can do to help your skin renew itself.

Exfoliating the dead skin cells

Exfoliating is a great process that removes the dead cells (corneocytes) at the surface of the skin. This helps to achieve a smooth skin, unclogged pores (which avoids blemishes - yay!), enhances the absorption of your skin care products and brightens the skin to even the complexion through the removal of cells containing melanin pigments.

There are two types of exfoliation tactics: physical and chemical.

Physical exfoliation is done by physically removing dead skin cells, usually though scrubs or solid particles like sugar and salt (like in our Sel Grain from Brittany, France!).

EU07436 - Anhydrous Sugar Scrub with AHA (opens new window)

Chemical exfoliation is when an acid, usually AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHA (beta hydroxy acids), is applied to the skin to remove the dead skin cells without any scrubbing! Formulas with a high acidic pH are particularly hard to thicken! SEPIMAX ZEN can help with this stabilization and thicken your next formulation.

US20099 - Glycolic Acid Serum Gel (opens new window)

Boosting the cell renewal process

The cell renewal process is naturally triggered by exfoliation. When cells die in the upper dermis (either naturally or by chemical and physical exfoliants) they release their calcium content. This calcium triggers the production of the Protein Kinase C by keratinocytes, stimulating the basal cells differentiation.

Some ingredients can boost the natural skin cell renewal, like calcium, are:

SEPITONIC™ M3.0 (Magnesium aspartate & Zinc gluconate & Copper gluconate) is a cocktail of minerals that activate the cell’s energy cycle and smoothe the skin surface.

CELTOSOME™ Crithmum Maritimum, plant cells from the Sea Fennel marine plant was proven to boost skin renewal x5, repairs the skin, and provides an increase in 16% radiance, anti-wrinkles properties and skin hydration.

Learn more about our sustainable plant cell CELTOSOME™ technology! (opens new window)

Request prototypes or ingredient samples on the chat!