To date, oxygen cosmetics is one of the most popular categories of cosmetic products. Of course, oxygen is necessary for every cell of the human body, including skin cells, but is it so easy to deliver it? And in general, what is meant by “oxygen” cosmetics?

In the human body, the skin, unlike the lungs, is an almost gas-tight organ. The skin receives oxygen from two sources – blood and the atmosphere itself.  And if the dermis can well receive

oxygen from passing blood capillaries, then for epidermis (upper layer), as well as the papillary layer of the dermis, there is no such opportunity. These structures capture oxygen from the air.

If the blood supply to the skin is disturbed, the capture of oxygen from the outside increases.

With age, metabolic activity of cells decreases, and hence oxygen consumption, but the ability to capture oxygen from the air does not change. In this regard, it is more rational to “disperse” the metabolic activity of cells, which will entail an increase in energy consumption and oxygen consumption.

It is also worth noting that the oxygen content of the skin is much higher than cells need to maintain life and than cells can absorb. An artificial increase in the oxygen content of intact skin will not affect its ability to consume oxygen and will not lead to the desired result.

However, if it is necessary to keep the skin breathing, when choosing cosmetics, preference should be given to compounds on silicone (silicon-organic) oils and polyglycol bases. Traditional bases – mineral oil, petroleum jelly, lanolin worse oxygen pass.

If we talk about cosmetic products as a means of delivering additional amounts of oxygen, then today studies confirming its effectiveness are not enough.

References:

1. Margolina A.A., Hernandez E.I.- New Cosmetology – Practical Manual Volume 1