Itch means an unpleasant irritation in the skin. We all experience it occasionally. We feel the need to scratch our skin and to apply cream to it permanently. Both symptoms can have diverse causes. The itch could indicate a skin disease (for example neurodermitis or psoriasis), an intolerance of certain drugs or washing-powder or an allergy. Sometimes the itch is triggered by psychological or psychosomatic conditions. In many cases, the skin \u201esimply\u201c is to dry. The itch threshold of very dry skin is significantly lower than that of normal, well moisturized skin. Persons concerned suffer enormously. Permanent itch can be extremely agonizing, nerve-racking, and unbearable. Sleepless nights and restrictions in daily life may result. The endless sequence of itch and scratching draws the itch-sufferer into a vicious circle<\/p>\n
Not quite as torturing but also very unpleasant is the taut feeling in the skin. It causes a severe uneasy feeling and increases emotional sensitivity and a thin-skinned conditon \u2013 in the truest sense of the word. Actually it is a matter of fact: Dry skin, the main cause of the taut feeling, almost always is thinner than normal skin. But also heat, cold, water, and sun exposure can cause a taut skin feeling.\u00a0 Taking up not enough water, an unbalanced diet, or hormonal fluctuations could also trigger skin tautness.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, today nobody has to resign oneself to the fact of annoying itch or taut skin. A lot of active ingredients help promptly and effectively to restore skin to its balance.<\/strong><\/p>\n One of these substance is urea<\/strong>. It has been produced synhetically already since 1828 and is able to soothe itch and taut skin feeling thanks to its moisturizing properties. In contrast to other moisturizers, urea is a natural component in our body being an end product of the decomposition of nitrogen compounds. The skin recognizes urea as a body-own substance facilitating optimal absorption and effectiveness. Urea does not only soothe skin tautness, it also has proved to be antibacterial in certain concentrations. Moreover, it boosts the production of linoleic acid which is important for the maintenance of a healthy skin protection barrier. Another essential advantage: Urea is free of side effecs.<\/p>\n Portrait\u00a0 Urea<\/p>\n INCI: Urea<\/p>\n CAS number: 57-13-6<\/p>\n Definition: crystalline, odorless and colorless solid<\/p>\n Solubilility: excellently in water<\/p>\n Melting point: 133\u00b0 Celsius (decomposition)<\/p>\n Effect: \u00a0\u00a0soothes taut skin feeling and itch, moisturizes, keratolytic properties<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oat extract<\/strong> is rich in avenanthramides, i.e. highly effective antioxidants, protecting skin matrix against free radicals. The substances also have extraordinarily calming effects helping to reduce itch, tautness, and skin irritations. Studies have proved that avenanthramides act directly at the source of an inflammation and inhibit the release of inflammation mediators. Their histamine receptor blocking effect has been proved.<\/p>\n Portrait\u00a0\u00a0 Oat extract<\/p>\n INCI: Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract<\/p>\n CAS number: 84012-26-0<\/p>\n EINECS\/ELINCS number: 281-672-4<\/p>\n Effect: \u00a0soothes skin irritations, tautness, and itch<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Microsilver<\/strong> has an extended surface structured like a sponge which binds and neutralizes bacterial, viral, and fungicide pathogens. In addition, silver calms irritated so that itch or taut feeling quickly fade away. Microsilver has been used successfully in the treatment of neurodermitis and psoriasis already for a long time. It is obtained physically from pure silver.<\/p>\n Portrait \u00a0\u00a0Silver<\/p>\n INCI: Silver<\/p>\n CAS number: 7440-22-4<\/p>\n EINECS\/ELINCS number: 231-131-3<\/p>\n Effekt: eases itch and tautness, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimycotic<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ceramides<\/strong> are components of the epidermal lipids of skin\u2019s horny layer. They fortify skin\u2019s protective barrier thereby preventing moisture loss which is a cause of taut skin feeling. The intact protective barrier also hinders irritating substances from penetrating into the skin and causing itch.<\/p>\n Ceramide NP has the stereochemical structure like human skin. The well-proven active agent is able to maintain skin\u2019s moisture balance.<\/p>\n Portrait \u00a0Ceramide NP<\/p>\n INCI: Ceramide NP<\/p>\n CAS number: 100403-19-8<\/p>\n EC number: 309-560-3<\/p>\n Effect: strengthens the natural lipid barrier of dry, itching, and aging skin<\/p>\n <\/p>\n