Corneotherapy is a science, not a trend. It requires an understanding of cosmetic chemistry - why? So that only ingredients that support the function and balance of the skin are used and nothing else! Corneotherapy keeps the epidermis (outer layers of the skin) in-tact at all times. Focused on healing the skin, strengthening the skins immune system and relaxing the skins natural defence systems to get them out of fight-or-flight mode.
Corneotherapy is often referred to as Naturopathy for the skin. This means corneotherapy is committed to TREATING THE ROOT CAUSE of a skin concern, instead of just trying to relieve the symptoms of one. Corneotherapy is a remedial skin treatment methodology focused on PROTECTION, REPAIR and MAINTENANCE of the skins 3 lines of defence.
Our skins 3 lines of defence - often referred to as our SKIN BARRIER:
1. MICROBIOME - healthy bacteria/microbes on the surface of the skin. 2. ACID MANTLE - slightly acidic, delicate film formed from the skins water and lipids. 3. STRATUM CORNEUM - the skins outermost layer, protecting us from external factors.
Corneotherapeutic skincare will NEVER include:
Artificial fragrance & colours - Used to make a product smell and look appealing but have NO benefit to the skin and cause sensitivity and inflammation
Amines - linked to cancer in lab animals, organ & neural toxicity and skin irritation & inflammation
Conventional Emulsifiers/Sodium laurel sulfate - strip away the natural oils of the skin, causing sensitivity and dryness
Harsh preservatives - these have to be used in laboratories that are not medical grade. They act like an antibiotic, removing the microbiome (good bacteria) on the skin and cause the pH of the skin to become out of balance
Parabens - can interfere with hormones and increase cancer risk
Mineral oils & silicone- stops the skin producing its own protective substances forcing it to reply on synthetic alternatives
PEG’s - increase cancer risk by allowing for better absorption of harmful ingredients
Corneotherapists will NEVER perform:
Chemical Peels - cause inflammation and trauma to skin
Plasma skin regeneration - 2nd degree burn!
Microdermabrasion - abrasive and suction can damage capillaries
Excessive manual Exfoliation - stripping
Dermaplaning - excessively stripping and danger of cuts/scarring
Laser - causes inflammation, trauma and burns if incorrectly done
All treatments remove the 3 lines of our skins defence.
Corneotherapeutic skincare WILL include biometric ingredients that mimic the structure and function of the skin, such as:
Phospholipids - Phosphatydylcholine (H-PC)
Ceramides
Triglycerides - coconut oil
Squalene - olive oil
Cholesterol - shea butter
Fatty acids
Peptides
Antioxidants - vitamin A, C, E etc
Natural preservatives - vitamin E and air-tight packaging!
Corneotherapists CAN use/perform:
LED light therapy - calming, anti-bacterial and stimulates collagen
Medica grade micro-skin needling - stimulates new cell production
Enzymatic exfoliation - acts like ‘pac man’ dissolving superficial dead skin cells
Medical grade rollers - stimulates new cell production
Gentle physical exfoliant - smooth biodegradable jojoba beads which gently buff away superficial dead skin cells
IPL (intense pulsed light) - non-ablative (if done correctly), encourages normal cell function
None of these treatments remove or damage any of the skins 3 lines of defence.
In the 1960’s a U.S. dermatologist Dr Albert Kligman and his partners discovered that the outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum) is not just dead skin cells, but instead it had biologically active cellular tissue that is responsible for cellular communication to all layers of the skin. Without the stratum corneum our skin experiences chaos instead of balance and harmony.
A healthy barrier means reduced inflammation (sensitivity, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, rosacea), prevents premature breakdown of collagen and elastin leading to ageing and prevents excessive release of melanin leading to pigmentation inbalances.
Outdated beauty practices and trends are still removing our skins 3 lines of defence, then treating the symptoms and never the cause. Once you realise you are in this toxic cycle, you have to ask yourself - who do I trust in the industry? Do they know they are damaging my skin and just don’t care? Or are they uneducated on the anatomy and function of skin? If they are uneducated then why am I trusting these people? If you have to ask yourself these questions then you need to find yourself a Corneotherapist. Lucky there has been a big shift in the modern beauty industry, skin therapists are now getting their hands on education relating to corneotherapy which they never had access to in the mainstream education system, at no fault of their own.
We can’t sit back anymore as therapists and follow the crowd with outdated methods and products. Our services should not be lead by the trends a client has seen online. We must make professional decisions and seek further education for the sake of those who trust in us. Allure Spa is a leader in the skin healing industry and a professional business you can trust working with on your skin healing journey.
