THE SCIENCE BEHIND SEBAMED

Did you know that healthy skin has a pH level of 5.5? When our skin’s pH level is disrupted, the barrier function becomes vulnerable to infections and other skin disorders. A pH level of 5.5 is crucial for maintaining the skin’s natural barrier, which protects against external factors, such as bacteria, viruses and pollutants.

Sebamed commits itself to creating pH-balanced skin care products that have been clinically-tested and dermatologically recommended in order to support the treatment of sensitive and problematic skin. Let’s delve into this a little further and find out how sebamed products are created and formulated, the benefits of the ingredients that are used as well as scientific studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of sebamed.

HOW OUR PRODUCTS ARE CREATED AND FORMULATED

Since the beginning, sebamed has always had a unique product philosophy in creating pH-balanced skin care products that promote healthy skin without harm or irritation. One of the key focuses is on the skin’s natural pH level and the importance of maintaining a healthy skin barrier. This philosophy is based on scientific research and works alongside three quality criterias; proven skin tolerability, carefully selected raw materials and consistent quality control.

PROVEN SKIN TOLERABILITY

The majority of skin care products that are available typically have a pH level of 8 - 14, however a pH level this alkaline can often strip the skin of its natural oils and protective barrier, leading to problematic skin. What makes sebamed unique is that the products are specially formulated to have a pH value of 5.5, which is the same acidity level as the skin’s hydrolipid barrier which supports your skin’s acid mantle leading to healthy skin. All products are soap-free and alkaline-free, which means they do not contain harsh chemicals or fragrances making them suitable for sensitive and problematic skin.

CAREFULLY SELECTED RAW MATERIALS

To ensure safety and efficacy, our team of scientists come from the field of dermatology and oversee our product development, including research with over 400 clinical trials. They carefully select raw materials based on their quality and allergenic potential, choosing near-natural products, with tried-and-tested active agents and formulations that have scientifically proven positive effects on the skin. For instance, Panthenol, a derivative of vitamin B5 helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin. All our products have been clinically-tested and recommended by dermatologists as a pH-balanced skin care product designed for sensitive and problematic skin. To test the purity, identity and concentration of ingredients, as well as the amount of individual substances within the finished product, our analysis department is equipped with high-tech and modern tools such as HPLC and GC units.

Consistent quality control

Our microbiology department uses state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to ensure the safety of our products from microbiological contamination. We carefully test how much preservatives we need in our products through extensive testing, ensuring that we use as little as possible but as much as necessary. This is tested by repeatedly inoculating and incubating bacteria and fungi in our products, using just enough preservatives to prevent contamination.

Our philosophy ‘Quality through Research’ ensures the highest standards of quality control on all sebamed products. Every step of the process is strictly controlled and checked, from selecting raw materials to product development and production, using cutting-edge methodology and analysis to guarantee the purity and safety of all our products and ensuring they are all pH-balanced. To help with ensuring these high standards, our quality assurance department strictly checks every ingredient and packaging material to ensure it is perfect - no skin care product is allowed to leave the premises without a release from the quality assurance department.

The science behind healthy skin

Did you know there have been over 400 scientific studies that have consistently proven the scientific effectiveness of sebamed’s pH-balanced skin care products on sensitive and problematic skin?

A study published by Toda, K. et al. 

Tested the safety and treatment aid effect of ‘sebamed’ on skin diseased patients. Results showed that in those with atopic dermatitis at light stage, contact dermatitis, acne vulgaris or dry skin, the majority of cases (37 out of 41) showed an improvement using sebamed cleansing and moisturising products as a therapeutic aid, showing the safety and usefulness as a skin care product on certain skin conditions.

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A study conducted by Fluhr, J.W. et al. 

Explored whether concomitant treatment with an acidic washing and an acidic emollient (both pH 5.5) can significantly improve the quality of the skin in patients with cancer, who frequently experience skin problems, such as xerosis. The results showed that a controlled and regular use of a skin care system, especially an acidic one, improved skin physiology in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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A clinical study

Tested the effectiveness of four of sebamed's Anti-Dry products (Derma-soft Wash Emulsion, Hydrating Body Lotion, Day Defense Cream and Night Intensive Cream) on children with atopic dermatitis. The results of the study found that Sebamed Anti-Dry products had a positive effect on the skin of the children with atopic dermatitis with the pH balance of the skin improving, skin hydration and lipids increased and transepidermal water loss decreased - showing that sebamed could be effective in improving the skin’s barrier function and reducing dryness in children with atopic dermatitis.

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A literary review conducted by Lukik, M. et al.

Explored optimal pH of the skin and topical formulations; from the current state-of-the-art to tailored products. Through part of the research, the researchers collected and discussed studies and journals relating to the influence of different types of topical products on skin pH. The research found that natural soaps have pH values around 9.5-10.5, which can increase the skin’s pH from 5.5 to 7.5, while acidic cleansers alter the skin’s pH to a lesser extent with a shorter recovery period. In addition, natural soap increases skin surface pH and the number of propionibacteria, tap water exposure also increases skin pH and disrupts the skin's barrier function, while extensive washing with alkaline soaps can lead to skin barrier impairment with a concomitant pH increase in any skin condition. The researchers found that acidic skin cleaners are recommended for frequent washing, or for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions due to protecting the skin’s barrier function and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.

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