Water is an indispensable element for the survival of all living beings and the planet and, despite having a very simple chemical structure, it performs multiple and fundamental functions in the whole organism. Water represents about 60% of body weight in adults, with variations according to gender and age and up to 80% in newborns.
All organs are in contact with water: in each of them its quantity is variable. The skin is one of the parts of the body where water is present in greater quantities, especially in the deeper skin layers made up of 70% of this substance.
The water in our body is in perpetual motion which occurs thanks to the existence of a specialized system formed by protein channels specific for the transport of water, placed in the double lipid layer of the membrane and which allow a bidirectional water flow, allowing our organs to distribute water evenly in different districts. These channels are called ACQUAPORINS and AQP3 are the most studied by the cosmetic industry as they are those present at the skin level. They are found in the membranes of KERATINOCYTES and BASAL CELLS and play a fundamental role in the “self-regulation” of deep and surface skin hydration.
The transport of water through these structures is a passive transport, that is, without energy expenditure.
In fact, the passage of water from one part of the membrane to the other takes place according to a favourable concentration gradient: in other words, the water moves where it is missing. In a young and well-hydrated skin, AQP3s improve the water permeability of cell membranes, promoting correct distribution in all skin areas.
Over the years and in case of excessive and unprotected exposure to the sun, AQP3 become hypofunctional, reducing the level of glycerol and urea in the NMF, decreasing the skin’s ability to retain water, worsening the protection of the skin barrier and creating atony and premature aging. In stressful conditions keratinocytes lose vitality and dynamism; epidermal cell renewal occurs slowly and leads to visible peeling, the differentiation of keratinocytes is compromised, the hydrolipidic film is exhausted, the skin barrier is weakened. The skin is therefore brought to dehydration, the first sign of aging.
In other words, the skin tissue loses its functionality, the hydrolipidic film becomes thinner and is subject to dehydration, dryness and aging.
THE ANSWER OF INTÉGRÉE
From the research and development work of the last few years, a real “STRATEGY CONCEPT” was born which responds to a specific objective: the physiological rebalancing of the lack of water. In fact, the aim pursued in the development of new formulas is no longer only to give immediate hydration, with the help of direct moisturizing substances, but to provide above all the tools necessary for the cells to be able to regenerate the dermal and epidermal structures that bind the water from the inside. In addition to procuring the raw materials making up the structures, or the substrate, to ensure the formation of new epidermal and dermal structures, in each product there is a so-called “trigger” that promotes cell reactivation and therefore also the processes of new synthesis, ensuring therefore a deep and long-term hydration.
The active ingredients selected in the new products intervene on dehydration with different and synergistic action mechanisms:
- STIMULATION
- of the SYNTHESIS of HYALURONIC ACID FROM INSIDE, and of GLYCOSAMINOGLICANS in general: these are the macromolecules present in the dermis which confer hydration and firmness to the skin;
- of the SYNTHESIS of INTERCELLULAR LIPIDS preserving the barrier function of the skin;
- PROTECTION
- of EPIDERMAL STEM CELLS;
- of the CELLULAR VOLUME (and its water content);
- of the CELLULAR STRUCTURES and their FUNCTIONALITY;
- DIRECT HYDRATION
- with hygroscopic ingredients that bind large quantities of water (GAG, sugars, etc.).
Thanks to the influence of synthesis of the major components of the cellular matrix, associated with a special VECTOR SYSTEM that allows active molecules to penetrate to the dermis, the new Strategy line is also an excellent resource for preventing skin aging.
COMMON DENOMINATOR: VERBENA OFFICINALIS
Verbena Officinalis is an herbal remedy known since ancient times for its medicinal and “magical” properties. For the Romans, the Verbena granted immortality to valiant people, the magicians of the Middle Ages included it in their filters, the healers of all ages have exploited its proven virtues. Its most popular use is in the form of a decoction as an antispasmodic, febrifuge, anti-inflammatory and mild tonic. Verbena is also useful in digestive disorders and to promote liver and choleretic activity, as a relief in cases of sinusitis thanks to its anti-inflammatory and astringent action. In cosmetics Verbena is used as a decongestant for the eyes, cicatrizant, astringent and emollient.
The phytocomplex extracted from Verbena, whose active fraction is made up of peptides, can be defined MULTIFUNCTION because, by increasing the vital activities of the skin, it helps fight all visible signs of aging: dehydration, loss of brightness, atony and wrinkles.
Numerous in vitro and in vivo tests have in fact demonstrated its ability to act not only at the level of the epidermis, but also at the level of the dermis, proving its versatility:
- IT PRESERVES THE BARRIER FUNCTION
- IT INCREASES HYDRATION
- IT SMOOTHES the MICRO-RELIEF
- IT REDUCES WRINKLES
Thanks to its completeness in treating dehydration and preventing skin aging and atony, it has become the common denominator of the entire STRATEGY range, combined with other specific active ingredients that differ from product to product.
- ALOE – Moisturizing nourishing cleansing milk
- RODOFIS – Moisturizing micellar solution
- AGRUMARIA – Vegetable concentrate for peeling treatments
- LIVE IN PEEL – Soothing peeling gel cream
- TRANSFERT – Catalysing gel for facial treatments
- MELANGE CHOC – Deep hydration hydrocomplex
- NYDROSELF – Deep moisturizing nourishing shock serum
- HY DERM – Moisturizing dermoactivating cream
- HOHOWI – Moisturizing nourishing dermoactivating cream
- NYDRO MASK – Moisturizing nourishing mask
