Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by symptoms of itching, redness, rashes, and sometimes blisters or bullae, with three common types: Atopic Dermatitis (eczema); Contact Dermatitis; Seborrheic Dermatitis. This article presents the characteristics of the aforementioned conditions and the benefits of Cellular Corrective Cream in dermatitis.

1. Definition & Classification

Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by symptoms of itching, redness, rashes, and sometimes accompanied by blisters, bullae, scaling, or peeling. Among these, three common types of dermatitis include: Atopic Dermatitis (eczema); Contact Dermatitis; Seborrheic Dermatitis.

1.1 Atopic Dermatitis (eczema)

Also known as eczema, it is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease with a complex mechanism primarily involving genetic factors, immune dysregulation, or epidermal barrier dysfunction, along with environmental triggers.

Defects in the epidermal barrier, specifically abnormalities in Filaggrin gene expression and keratinocyte coding, lead to dry, easily irritated skin. In acute atopic dermatitis, symptoms include itchy, red, scaly patches and excoriations from scratching. In chronic atopic dermatitis, lesions appear severe, dry, and lichenified (abnormally thickened) skin.

1.2 Contact Dermatitis (irritant or allergic)

Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD)

A non-specific skin reaction to environmental irritants such as chemicals, pollen, or other factors like pH, temperature, and humidity. Observable signs include erythema, edema, and blistering at the site of contact with irritants. While acute ICD symptoms typically present more pain than itching, chronic ICD accumulates and manifests more itching.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD)

This is a hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen with two phases: (1) Sensitization to the antigen and (2) Allergic reaction upon re-exposure. ACD symptoms typically involve more itching than pain, and accompanying signs may include erythema, vesicles, or swelling and bullae in severe cases.

1.3 Seborrheic Dermatitis

A common inflammatory skin condition in areas with active sebaceous glands such as the face, scalp, and sternum, causing itching, dandruff, and scaly patches on the skin. Sometimes it occurs before or concurrently with psoriasis, referred to as sebopsoriasis. The pathogenesis of this condition is still unclear, but studies indicate a correlation with the density of Malassezia yeast on the skin and the body's inflammatory response to the fungus.

2. Solutions for Improvement

2.1 Preventing and improving dermatitis conditions

Topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, immunosuppressants, antibiotics, etc., are proposed and used in the treatment of dermatitis to address symptoms such as:

• Thickening of the skin (due to cellular infiltration in the epidermis and edema)

• Scaling (due to epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis)

• Itching (possibly due to histamine release during inflammation)

• Excoriations and possible oozing, crusting, and secondary infection, all caused by scratching.

However, within the scope of this article, we will focus on discussing over-the-counter active ingredients and products with gentle, benign ingredients that help reduce and alleviate the aforementioned symptoms in dermatitis:

Prevention

• Pay attention to hygiene;
• Isolate allergens in allergic contact dermatitis: It is necessary to rely on exposure history and perform patch testing to identify whether a specific component is an allergen causing the body's hypersensitivity reaction;

• Research and choose gentle, benign skincare products to prevent irritant contact dermatitis, paying attention to highly irritating ingredients such as acids, alkalis, soaps, detergents, abrasives, etc.
• Strengthen the skin barrier function

Improving dermatitis

Active ingredients such as Niacinamide, Vitamin B5, Calamine, Vitamin E, and plant extract complexes have all shown positive effects on dermatitis, including building and strengthening the skin barrier, preventing inflammatory agents from causing damage, and accelerating wound healing and preventing secondary lesions.

2.2 Role of the skin barrier in dermatitis

The protective barrier has a "brick and mortar structure" formed by "bricks" of anucleated, keratinized epidermal cells stacked on top of each other, and "mortar" of a lipid-rich extracellular matrix. The integrity of the epidermal barrier is a control barrier, preventing harmful agents from penetrating the skin and limiting transepidermal water loss. Dysfunction of this "horny-lipid" barrier can lead to skin disorders such as contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, etc., and conversely, dermatitis can also weaken the skin's protective barrier system. Therefore, building and strengthening the function of the skin barrier plays an extremely important role in preventing and improving dermatitis.

Factors involved in the functional activity of the skin barrier include:

• pH: The normal pH range of the skin is from 4.5 to 5.5. This mild acidity plays an important role in determining the permeability of the protective barrier and is also one of the bases for selecting compatible and safe products for the skin;

• Lipid membrane composition: Free fatty acids and Ceramides help limit transepidermal water loss, maintaining optimal moisture for tissue and cell activity;

• Skin microbiome: Microorganisms residing on the skin, including bacteria and fungi, in a symbiotic relationship, in a balanced state, help prevent the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms;

• Filaggrin: A protein fiber structure responsible for the integrity of the stratum corneum, synthesizing keratin for the keratinization of epidermal cells. Additionally, Filaggrin degradation products provide natural moisturizing factor (NMF) that has moisturizing effects and protects the skin from UV radiation.

3. Using Cellular Corrective Cream in dermatitis

Cellular Corrective Cream is a versatile moisturizer with superior restorative active ingredients particularly useful in various dermatological conditions:

3.1 Niacinamide

One of the few versatile ingredients that provides a gentle and benign effect on the skin. Niacinamide is a precursor to coenzyme NAD+, capable of stimulating ceramide synthesis, an important component of the skin's natural protective barrier system, while also having an inhibitory effect on inflammatory mediators. Another benefit of using Niacinamide is its ability to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, preventing the formation of dark spots after damage.

3.2 Panthenol (Vitamin B5)

Vitamin B5, or derivatives of Pantothenic acid, is an essential factor for the synthesis of Coenzyme A, which plays an important role in cellular activities including energy production and fatty acid synthesis. The active ingredient has moisturizing properties, reducing transepidermal water loss. Vitamin B5 soothes inflammatory reactions through a regulatory mechanism, increasing the expression of genes related to wound healing such as IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL1, etc., making it particularly useful in atopic dermatitis, physical damage, and preventing abnormal scarring.

3.3 Calamine (Zinc Oxide & Ferric Oxide Complex)

The Zinc Oxide & Ferric Oxide complex in Calamine, with its pale pink color from iron oxide, offers gentle effects, notably:

• Reduces inflammation and edema in acute eczema;
• Alleviates itching and soothes rashes caused by herpes zoster and drug rashes;
• Soothes and restores sunburnt skin.

3.4 Pro Anti-Irritant Complex

The complex includes plant extracts:

Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate

An isolated compound from Licorice root extract that has moisturizing, regulating, and soothing effects on allergic dermatitis and eczema while maintaining hyaluronic acid levels.

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

German chamomile flower extract capable of neutralizing and inactivating skin irritants, reducing itching and stinging sensations. Additionally, the flavonoids in the extract help accelerate skin damage recovery.

Allantoin

A natural compound extracted from the Comfrey plant with anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, and moisturizing properties that help soften and soothe irritated skin, promoting wound healing by modulating inflammation, antibacterial activity, and stimulating fibroblast proliferation, epithelialization, and ECM synthesis.

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References

1. Guo JW, Jee SH. Strategies to Develop a Suitable Formulation for Inflammatory Skin Disease Treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 4;22(11):6078
2. Crous C, Pretorius J, Petzer A. Overview of popular cosmeceuticals in dermatology. Skin Health Dis. 2024 Feb 7;4(2):e340