Skin Atlas
Definition & Application
An archive of mapped terms.
Classified within the context of modern skincare.
Nourishing Care: Lipids and Vitamins for Supple, Resilient Skin
Nourishing care provides the skin with lipids, fatty acids, and vitamins that strengthen its natural protective barrier. Especially for dry or sensitive skin, a consistent nourishing routine can help reduce feelings of tightness and improve the skin's appearance in the long term.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Nourishing Care?
Nourishing care includes products that specifically introduce lipids, fatty acids, and vitamins into the skin structure. In contrast to pure moisturizing care, the focus is on re-lipidization: The skin is supplied with lipids that it loses due to cold, heating air, or natural aging processes. If the lipid film is intact, it retains moisture in the tissue and protects against external influences. If this film is lost, moisture can escape more easily – which contributes to feelings of tightness, cracks, and increased sensitivity to irritants, as Eucerin describes. The skin consists of about 15% lipids, which act as a natural protective layer. If essential fats are missing, the skin loses elasticity and tends to age prematurely.
Nourishing care gives the skin back what it loses daily – and creates the foundation for an intact, resilient protective barrier.
Active Ingredients and Their Effects
Modern nourishing formulations combine various lipid sources and active ingredients that specifically close gaps in the skin barrier. The most important groups at a glance:
- Plant oils: Jojoba, almond, and argan oil have a lipid-replenishing effect and help strengthen the lipid barrier.
- Shea butter: Provides saturated fatty acids and vitamin E – often used for dry and sensitive skin.
- Squalane and ceramides: Fill lipid gaps and support the sustainable stabilization of the skin structure – more about the effect of ceramides in the glossary.
- Panthenol and niacinamide: Can contribute to cell regeneration and visibly support elasticity.
Application and Combination
Nourishing care products are ideally applied in the evening, when the skin's regeneration processes are particularly active. For dry skin, rich creams with oils and butters are suitable, while normal skin benefits from light emulsions. Cold-pressed, unrefined oils are considered particularly well-tolerated as they mimic the natural structure of skin lipids.
Nourishing care can be effectively combined with moisturizing care: humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin draw water into the skin, while lipids and oils seal in this moisture. The additional combination with antioxidants such as vitamin E or C can enhance protection against oxidative stress and support regeneration. NATURFACTOR® combines these principles in its Bioactive Infusion Complex™ – a combination of natural oils, amino acids, and antioxidants that deeply nourishes the skin without weighing it down.
Who is Nourishing Care Suitable For?
Nourishing care is particularly suitable for dry, mature, and sensitive skin that tends to feel tight or flaky. Normal to dry combination skin can also benefit from nourishing formulations – especially in autumn and winter, when cold and heating air put more stress on the skin. People with very oily or acne-prone skin should opt for light, non-comedogenic oils such as jojoba oil to avoid clogging pores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nourishing Care
What distinguishes nourishing care from moisturizing care?
Nourishing care primarily provides the skin with lipids and fatty acids that build up the protective barrier. Moisturizing care draws water into the tissue and keeps it there. Both approaches complement each other and are often used in combination.
How often should nourishing care be applied?
For dry or sensitive skin, daily application is recommended, preferably in the evening. In the colder seasons, morning application can also help protect the skin from cold and wind.
Can nourishing care clog pores?
That depends on the active ingredient. Light oils like jojoba or squalane are considered non-comedogenic and do not clog pores. Heavy butters like coconut oil may be less suitable for acne-prone skin.
Conclusion
Nourishing care gives the skin back what it loses daily: lipids, moisture, and protection. It strengthens the natural barrier, supports regeneration, and contributes to long-lasting suppleness. With the Bioactive Infusion Complex™, NATURFACTOR® demonstrates in its Porcelain Skin Serum how nourishing care combines naturalness and deep efficacy – for visibly vital and resilient skin.
References
- Eucerin Germany (2024): Dry skin in general – causes and solutions
- NDR (2024): Dry skin – what care really helps?
