Scientific Library

Skin Academy · Resource

Our approach is based on recognized public sources and a strict regulatory framework. Here we present the categories of references that nourish the Academy — without extrapolating beyond the cosmetic field.

The Skin Academy relies on recognized cosmetic, dermatological, and regulatory sources. Our content remains educational: it explains the appearance, comfort, hydration, radiance, and visible quality of the skin, without medical diagnosis or therapeutic promises.

Reference Sources

CosIng — European cosmetic ingredient database: INCI nomenclature, cosmetic functions, and regulatory information related to substances.
PubMed — leading biomedical bibliographic database: scientific publications on skin, ingredients, and skin mechanisms.
European Regulation n°655/2013 — framework for cosmetic claims (truthfulness, sincerity, evidence, fairness to the consumer).

Categorization by theme

Skin barrier

Skin's protective function, transepidermal water loss, skin lipids, and visible signs of discomfort.

Hydration

Distinguish between water, lipids, humectants, emollients, and film-forming agents.

Visible aging

Wrinkles, loss of firmness, uneven radiance, and oxidative stress, from a non-medical cosmetic perspective.

Skin microbiome

Skin surface balance, with no promise of treatment.

Photoaging

Visible impact of UV on radiance, spots, and skin quality.

Vegetable oils

Lipid profiles, fatty acids, texture, cosmetic nutrition, and sensory tolerance.

Prickly Pear

The plant, the seed oil, the rarity of extraction, the lipid composition, and cosmetic uses.

Examples of consulted sources

Skin barrier

European Regulation n°655/2013 on cosmetic claims.
CosIng — cosmetic functions of ingredients related to hydration, emollients, and protective surface agents.
PubMed — publications on barrier function, transepidermal water loss, and skin lipids.

Hydration

CosIng — humectants, emollients, film-forming agents, and associated cosmetic functions.
PubMed — publications on stratum corneum hydration and transepidermal water loss.
Cosmetology references on moisturizing ingredient families.

Visible aging

PubMed — publications on oxidative stress, UV, visible skin quality, and apparent skin aging.
European Regulation n°655/2013 — framework for claims related to appearance, radiance, and visible firmness.

Skin microbiome

PubMed — publications on the surface skin ecosystem and its balance.
Public dermatological sources for caution and non-therapeutic promise guidelines.

Photoaging

PubMed — publications on the visible effects of UV on radiance, spots, and skin quality.
Institutional dermatological resources on sun protection and cosmetic caution.

Vegetable oils

CosIng — cosmetic functions of vegetable oils and emollients.
Cosmetic formulation references on fatty acids, feel, cosmetic nutrition, and sensoriality.

Prickly Pear

CosIng — INCI identification of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil.
PubMed — available publications on Opuntia ficus-indica, its compounds, and its cosmetic or botanical uses.
Botanical and agricultural sources on the plant, its fruits, its seeds, and extraction processes.

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The NOPAL LIFE Skin Academy offers informative and educational content. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or a dermatological consultation. In case of persistent skin problems, a significant reaction, or doubt, consult a qualified health professional.

The essential to understand

Cosmetic skin studies: key benchmarks

Understanding cosmetic skin studies helps to choose your skincare with precision rather than at random. This page brings together the essentials — products, skin, cosmetics, cosmetic — to connect these notions to your real skin, in a cosmetic, educational, and non-medical approach.

Quick Glossary

Products: Cosmetic article (cleanser, serum, cream, etc.); its quality depends on its overall formula and tolerance, not a single active ingredient.
Skin: The largest organ of the body and the primary interface with the outside world; its surface, the epidermis, plays a visible role in protection and comfort.
Cosmetics: Product intended for the body surface (skin, hair, nails); it maintains appearance and comfort, without medical purpose.
Active ingredients: Ingredients chosen for a targeted cosmetic action (hydration, radiance, comfort); a few well-tolerated active ingredients are better than a long list.
Cream: A foundational skincare product that hydrates and protects the surface; it seals in the previous steps of the routine.

Concepts also covered

This chapter also sheds light on: tests.

To remember

Start with your real skin: observe its products and comfort before multiplying products.
A simple and regular routine, adapted to your profile, is better than an accumulation of treatments.
Read formulas and promises with discernment: this content provides benchmarks, not prescriptions.

Educational cosmetic content, for informational purposes. It does not replace dermatological advice.

Put into practice

Connect what you've learned to your real skin with the NOPAL LIFE diagnostic.

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