No. 2: Continuously protect the skin barrier
🛡️ Strong skin is a sacred boundary; build it like a temple against the world.
A healthy skin barrier means a protected and thriving animal.
Strengthening this barrier provides it with a natural defense and the respect it deserves.
⏱️ Reading time: 4 min
The skin is much more than just a covering: in dogs, it represents the largest organ in the body. It performs vital functions, the most essential of which is that of a protective barrier .
At Dekalog , we are committed to preserving this natural function with respectful care, inspired by animal biology.
Why the skin barrier is essential
The skin barrier protects your pet against:
- Allergens
- Microbial agents
- Pollution
- UV rays
- And limits water loss
This barrier is primarily ensured by the stratum corneum, composed of keratinized cells and lipids. When it is damaged, the skin becomes dry, sensitive, inflamed, and even prone to infections.
Essential steps to maintain resilient skin
Maintaining a healthy skin barrier requires simple but fundamental actions:
- A balanced diet , enriched with essential fatty acids (EFAs) , particularly omega-3 and omega-6.
- Proper hydration
- UV protection for areas with low pigmentation or light hair.
- Regular grooming , adapted to the coat type, with gentle brushing and a refreshing spray.
The key role of topical skincare
Contrary to what one might think, essential fatty acids (EFAs) are more effective when applied topically than when taken orally. Topical treatments allow for:
- To strengthen the skin's lipid cement
- To improve cell cohesion
- To reduce water losses
Gentle, physiological shampoos are particularly recommended for eliminating allergens, bacteria, and fungi without damaging the skin barrier . A healthy animal should bathe no more than once a week, supplemented with waterless grooming products.
In case of a weakened barrier
If the barrier is damaged, your pet may experience:
- Dandruff (squamosis)
- Drought (xerosis)
- Redness (erythema)
In this case, a veterinary consultation is essential . Depending on the cause, several treatments may be offered:
- Moisturizers : emollients + hydrating agents to rehydrate and soften
- Restructuring agents : enriched with lipids and AGEs to restore structure
- Keratomodulators : promote cell renewal and the production of skin lipids
- Supplements : omega 3/6, zinc, vitamins to support the skin from within
Dekalog care for a healthy barrier
At Dekalog Paris , we have formulated targeted skincare products to protect and restore the skin barrier , even for sensitive skin:
To discover:
- Dekalog's hydrating and soothing serum Concentrated in marine and plant-based active ingredients, it restores the hydrolipidic film, soothes discomfort and supports the natural microbiome.
-
Dekalog refreshing spray : enriched with purifying plants, which moisturizes the coat, refreshes and balances the skin's pH without irritating it.
