Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please click on your category of interest below to find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ's) regarding Eucerin® products. If you would like more information, please
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Acne Prone Skin

Why and when should you use a scrub?
A physical scrub with coarse-grained, sharp edged particles could damage the outer layer of the skin and impair its protective function. When we developed Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER Scrub, we purposely selected mild peeling particles and cleansers to make the scrub suitable even for daily use. The key ingredient, Lactic Acid, also supports exfoliation, not in a mechanical way, but chemically as it´s the skin´s own alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) responsible for mild exfoliation. The Lactic Acid, found in the beads of the Scrub, onto the skin as you cleanse. We recommend using DermoPURIFYER Toner after Scrub followed by the Creme-Gel as your oil-free daily moisturiser.

How do you care for your skin during pregnancy?
Since puberty you have only had a few blemishes. Now you´re pregnant and your complexion is acting like a teenager´s again. You need something to help your skin, but you certainly don´t want to use anything that could harm your baby.
You can safely use Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER products during pregnancy and while nursing. Eucerin® sets exceptionally high standards on its formulations. We test all products for safety and skin compatibility (i) prior to launch. We select only high quality ingredients and use them in safe concentrations for cosmetic products.
The Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER Toner and Creme-Gel contain Lactic Acid, skin´s own natural moisturising factor (NMF) found in its top layers. It does not penetrate into the deeper skin layers, so it´s safe to use during pregnancy. Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER Cleanser does contain salicylic acid in a very low concentration (considerably lower than 1%). It is used in this product exclusively as a preservative. You should not use concentrations of salicylic acid greater than 1% during pregnancy. Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER Cleanser does not reach this limit and is safe to use. The new Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER Stick contains salicylic acid to treat blemishes in an effective way. Due to the direct application the concentration can be reduced under 1% and therefore this product can be used during pregnancy and while nursing.

What do you do if you have combination skin?
Having dry skin (for example, on your cheeks) and oily skin in the T-zone is actually quite common. You probably thought oily skin, blemishes and acne would go away once you headed into adulthood. Unfortunately, that´s often not the case. The glands (i) can stillproduce more sebum (oil) than is necessary. This oil plugs the skin follicles, bacteria begin to grow and the area becomes inflamed. The combination of these (excess oil, irregular removal of dead skin cells and bacteria) leads to blemishes and acne, symptoms of which include pimples, blackheads, dilated pores, shiny or irritated areas.
Consistently following a daily skincare regimen can help balance both the dry and oily areas. We suggest cleansing with Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER Cleanser. This gentle cleanser removes the excess oil from the skin, while effectively fighting bacteria without leaving your skin feeling tight or dry. Follow with Toner which contains the key ingredient Lactic Acid. Known to fight bacteria and exfoliate skin, Lactic Acid is also one of skin´s own natural moisturising factors (i) (NMF´s). Apply DermoPURIYFER Creme-Gel as your oil-free daily moisturiser.
If your skin remains very dry in certain areas (such as your cheeks), you can use an additional moisturising cream after applying the DermoPURIYFER Creme-Gel. We suggest Eucerin® Sensitive Facial Skin Hydro-Balance or Dry Skin Relief Face Cream with 5% Urea.

Are Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER products suitable for use with seborrhoeic eczema?
Seborrhoeic eczema occurs in various forms in infants and adults. No-one really knows what causes this condition, but in many cases, sebaceous glands (i) produce an excess of sebum (oil). Since it´s easily confused with psoriasis, you may want to get the opinion of a dermatologist.
Make sure to cleanse skin regularly to help remove excess sebum. Use oil-free products (you want to reduce oil, not add more). You do want to use a daily moisturiser especially if you are on medications which dry you out, such as isotretinoin. We suggest cleansing with Eucerin® DermoPURIFYER Cleanser followed by DermoPURIFYER Toner. Follow with DermoPURIFYER Creme-Gel as your oil-free daily moisturiser.
Anti Age

What is collagen and why is it important for the skin?
80% of the dermal connective tissue consists of collagen. Collagen is a protein that sustains the structure of the skin. Its network is significantly responsible for the skin´s firmness. Due to the natural ageing process and UV-exposure collagen loses structure. The skin loses its tautness and firmness and wrinkles develop.

When do the effects of Eucerin® Anti-Age products become visible?
Clinical studies prove a visible wrinkle reduction after 5 weeks of regular use of the Eucerin® Q10 Active products.
Due to incorporated hyaluronic acid a visible short-term effect with a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles becomes visible immediately after application of Eucerin® Hyaluron-Filler. Furthermore, support of skin´s own hyaluronic acid production gives long-term efficacy with additional wrinkle reduction visible within 4 weeks.

How does hyaluronic acid work?
Hyaluronic acid can be found in the whole body, but more than 50% of the total volume is located in the skin. Dermal hyaluronic acid is produced by special cells in the connective tissue – the fibroblasts. As the main component of the filling substance between the cells (connective tissue matrix) it supports the collagen and elastic fibres as well as the structure proteins of the dermis. Due to a high water binding capacity hyaluronic acid is able to increase its own volume extremely thus plumping up the skin from the inside.
Since hyaluronic acid is natural component of the skin it is very well tolerated.

What is saponin?
Saponin is a natural plant component (e.g. soy bean, pea, lucerne) and an element of their natural defence and protection system. Saponin can be shown to stimulates skin´s own hyaluronic acid production.
256% increased hyaluronic production has been shown in-vitro compared to untreated control.
Dry And Atopic Skin

What can I do if I suffer from dry, itchy scalp?
If you have a dry, flaky itchy scalp or suffer from atopic eczema, try to use shampoos with only mild surfactants (i). To avoid further irritation, avoid products with fragrances, colorants and alcohol. We recommend Eucerin® Dry Skin Relief Shampoo with 5% Urea which can be used daily. Proven to prevent the scalp from becoming drier, it also helps relieve itching with polidocanol.
If you suffer from atopic eczema, try hair and scalp moisturising oils (e.g. burdock root oil) or special treatments for dry, stressed hair also proven effective. Be aware of the penetration time of these oil products and make sure to wash out as much as possible with Eucerin® Dry Scalp Relief Shampoo with 5% Urea. If you have fine or short hair, you can also treat your scalp with replenishing and moisturising body care products. For example, apply the product in the evening and carefully wash out the remaining product the next morning. Avoid blow-drying with hot air, which can make the condition worse. Also you should refrain from hair colouring, bleaching, highlights and perms.

Why are Eucerin Dry Skin products fragrance-free?
Irritant dermatitis is a condition that causes skin to react to a particular irritant in a product. The most common irritants are fragrances, which are found in many skin, hair care and cleansing products. Since fragrances are the most common causes of reactions, Eucerin developed Dry Skin products specifically without fragrance to be suitable for patients with skin irritations, allergies and eczema.

Are overdoses or incorrect doses of urea (i) possible?
An overdose of the ingredient in the conventional sense isn't possible because urea (i) is a natural substance and the skin "absorbs" just as much as it needs to replenish itself. Our specialists recommend starting with a concentration of at least 5% to see best results (smooth skin, relief from itching).
Face care: Urea concentrations of 5% To protect the sensitive eyes/area around the eyes, use urea (i) concentrations of 5%. This should achieve the desired effects in thin-skin areas and sensitive facial skin.
Acute inflammations: No urea (i)-application Urea should not be applied to acutely inflamed areas because the skin may feel an increased burning sensation.

What's urea (i)?
A colourless and fragrance-free solid substance at room temperature, Urea is synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide. We call urea (i) a "natural" substance because it is present in the outer epidermis of the skin as a natural integral component. However, the urea (i) used in our Eucerin® products is obtained synthetically.
Urea, one of the most important end products in protein metabolism, is found in almost all body fluids. Considered one of the skin's essential natural moisturising factors (i) (NMF's), it gets into the outer skin layers through sweat. For people with dry skin, the concentration of urea (i) in the skin drops by 50%. For patients with flaky skin or atopic eczema, as well as mature skin, the loss is even more pronounced.
With increasing age, the body's inherent production of skin lipids and its ability to store water decreases. Skin becomes increasingly more dry, raw and flaky. Fine lines begin to appear. By topically supplying natural moisturising factors (i), such as urea (i), skin's ability to hold moisture increases. Using moisturisers daily rehydrates the top layers of the skin making it smoother, softer and better protected from the environment.
Sensitive Skin

Are all facial skin products suitable for the eye area?
Products specifically developed for the eye area contain special lipid components with a very low spreading capacity to make sure they do not reach the eyes' conjunctiva (mucous membrane that lines the exposed portion of the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelids) and cause tears or burning. These ideal lipid components are usually used only in special eye products.

What ingredients and colorants are used in Eucerin® Anti-Redness products?
Licochalcone is the main substance from the extract of Chinese liquorice (INCI: Glycyrrhiza Inflata extract). Possessing anti-inflammatory properties licochalcone blocks the release of inflammation mediators in various skin cells. The green colour pigments are stated in accordance with INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) with the following colour index numbers:
- CI 77288: Chromium Oxide Green (Cr2O3)
- CI 77289: Chromium Hydroxide Green (Cr2O3•nH2O)
- CI 77007 : Ultramarines (e.g. Al6Na8O24S2S)
- CI 77492: Iron Oxides (HFeO2 • nH2O)
and Titanium Dioxide as a white pigment and physical sunscreen.

Can the Eucerin® Anti-Redness products be used with dermatological prescribed medications?
The Anti-Redness range is suitable for use with medical creams containing Metronidazol and Azelaic Acid. To achieve a best possible result the medical products should be applied after thorough cleansing. As soon as the medical cream is absorbed (about 10 or 15 minutes depending on skin type) one of the Eucerin® Anti-Redness care products can be applied additionally.

What's shea butter?
As a natural, plant-based fat, shea butter is obtained by refining the seeds or kernels of the West African plant Butyrospermum Parkii (Bassia Parkii, Illipe parkii: from the Sapotaceae family). Butyrospermum grows in tropical Africa and is cultivated in the Sudan, Chad and Brazil. Indigenous people use it as a cooking fat, for soap, cosmetic purposes and illuminating oil. The fruits from the B. parkii also provide gutta-percha, a type of latex.
At room temperature, it is a soft, off-white to yellow-coloured resin-like fat with an aromatic taste. Its chemical makeup is 6% palmitic acid, 41% stearic acid, 49% oleic acid and 4% linolenic acid. The high content of unsaturated fatty acids makes shea butter an excellent moisturiser. In concentrations between 2% and 5%, shea butter is used for cosmetic facial skincare products, hand moisturising lotions, lipsticks, make-up and special products for sensitive dry skin.

What's Coenzyme Q10?
Found in all body tissues Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone) is very important for cells' energy supply. Coenzyme Q10 is a skin's own anti-oxidant proven to help fight the free redicals that cause premature skin aging. Human Coenzyme Q10 has a specific chemical structure (which differs from microorganisms, plants and lower animals). The Q10 incorporated in Eucerin® products is biotechnologically produced from yeast. This Q10 has the exact chemical structure as the Q10 found in the human body and can be absorbed and metabolised easily.
Miscellaneous

Why does it say "do not store above 25° C" on some products?
We include this storage instruction to guarantee a high-quality product throughout its shelf life. At high temperatures, the product may separate. We subject all of our products to comprehensive storage tests under changing temperatures (up to 40°C) to determine how the product reacts. Short-term storage at these temperatures is possible; however, they should not be stored at these temperatures for long periods. Avoid placing products in direct sunlight (for example, at a swimming pool, at the beach or in a parked car on a hot day).

Do cosmetic ingredients enter the bloodstream?
Most cosmetic ingredients are absorbed by the outermost cell layers of the skin, and as a rule, do not enter into the body's bloodstream (only a few ingredients remain to some extent on the skin). Product ingredients applied to injured skin (for example "scratches" or atopic eczema) can enter into the bloodstream in the smallest of amounts by means of the capillaries. Clinical studies prove excellent compatibility of Eucerin® products on both sensitive and diseased skin.

Can you use Eucerin® products during pregnancy?
As a manufacturer of dermatological skincare products, Beiersdorf places high demands on its products. Prior to market launch, all Eucerin® products are evaluated for safety and skin compatibility (i) with regard to the ingredients. The ingredients selected are of high quality and are permitted for cosmetic products in the concentrations used. They have also been evaluated as safe for use in skincare products. It goes without saying that during these evaluations, it is also taken into account that some of the users of our products could also be pregnant or nursing. Eucerin® products are therefore evaluated as safe under the conventional application conditions, including pregnancy and while nursing.

How can you tell whether a product is safe for sensitive skin?
If repeated application to the skin of the crook of the elbow does not cause any reaction the product should be suitable for your skin.

What does non-comedogenic mean?
Simply put, it won't clog pores. The term "comedogeneity" refers to the development of blackheads (comedones) caused by skincare creams or their ingredients. Increased sebum production and the simultaneous clogging of the sebaceous glands (i) (follicles) cause the formation of comedones. The closed sebaceous glands (i) are subsequently populated by acne bacteria that form porphyrin as a metabolic product. Exposed to a special light this metabolic product produces a measurable fluorescence. This method is used to determine the non-comedogenic effect of the Eucerin face care products.

What are surfactants (i) and which ones does Eucerin® use?
Surfactants are active cleansing agents, also called active surface or active interface substances. They are organic compounds that influence the molecular adhesion on the contact surfaces of various materials (e.g. skin and dirt particles) by reducing the surface tension to ease the removal of dirt particles, for example.
Eucerin® cleansing products contain mild surfactants (i) that demonstrate excellent skin compatibility (i), documented in comprehensive clinical studies.




