The skin is absorbent. How to distinguish genuine leather from artificial. Middle price segment

03.11.2019

Reading time 53 seconds

The concept of dehydrated skin

It is important to understand that this is not a skin type, but a temporary condition. “Water entering the epidermis, under the influence of various factors, quickly evaporates from there. This may be due to insufficient fluid intake, improper care, alcohol and smoking abuse, antibiotics, diuretics or laxatives, dry air, excessive ultraviolet radiation or improper nutrition,” says Tatyana Broner, training director of Caudalie.

Dehydrated skin is often confused with dry skin, but dry skin lacks lubrication and nutrients, while dehydrated skin lacks moisture. It's also worth bearing in mind that any skin type may need extra hydration.

Anna Kochergina, dermatologist at Profile Professional Club, on the signs of dehydration:

- After washing, there is a feeling of tightness, and care products can not cope.

- To the touch, the skin becomes rough, peeling and a dull complexion appear.

- Some areas even turn red and feel itchy, like after a long walk in winter.

- By the end of the day, the foundation rolls off. This happens because the skin absorbs all the moisture from it and only dry pigment remains.

How dehydration manifests itself in different skin types

Oily skin often suffers from lack of moisture. This is because the owners of this type seek to reduce fat content by matting, deep cleansing and alcohol-containing products. In response to such care, the skin begins to become even more oily - this is its protective nutritional reaction. Choose a moisturizer or gel for yourself and do not often use alcohol tonics, salicylic acid, clay-based masks and retinol - your skin will thank you.

What are the signs of dehydration in oily and combination skin? “A grayish tint of the face appears, enlarged pores become more noticeable, and peeling appears in the area of the chin, forehead and wings of the nose,” says Alexander Prokofiev, dermatovenereologist, medical expert of the La Roche-Posay brand.

Normal skin may also lack moisture: “It becomes dull and rough to the touch, peeling appears on the tip of the nose, in the corners of the mouth and on the cheekbones,” Alexander adds.

As for dry skin, it feels very similar to dehydrated skin. The difference is that dryness is caused by a lack of fat, while dehydration is caused by a lack of water. It is very thin, without pores, also tight and with early wrinkle lines. In this case, a nourishing cream containing fats will just help.

It is very difficult to use tonal products on dehydrated skin - they emphasize its condition.

How to fix the situation

First, start drinking more water, be sure to include fruits and vegetables in your diet, and give up spicy and salty foods. And especially fast food.

Secondly, buy yourself a humidifier - it will help your skin evaporate less moisture.

Third, change your care. Start using balms and oils for washing, which, of course, do not moisturize the skin, but do not dry out additionally. “Also include a light peel in your routine, for example, with AHA acids in a low concentration,” advises Tatyana. “It will help get rid of dead cells, which means that the products will begin to penetrate faster and deeper into the skin.”

In addition, find a good moisturizer or gel (do not confuse it with a nourishing one!). It will keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. Look for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, and algae extracts to attract moisture and help retain it. Also, do not forget about moisturizing serums and masks. three to four times a week.

Cover video: Chloé

Cosmetologist, president of the Meder Beauty Center for Aesthetic Cosmetology, expert in cosmetic safety at the European Parliament.

Paradoxical as it may seem, both sides have their own truth in this dispute. According to the current European and Russian legislation, all products certified as cosmetics, and not as a pharmacological preparation, have the right to exercise their effect only at the level of the upper layers of the epidermis. An exception is made for professional cosmetics. They can "work" either in the deep layers of the epidermis or in the upper layers of the dermis. Since animal experiments are prohibited in many cases today, this is determined by skin culture. On the other hand, such opportunities still exist: both in conventional creams and in high-tech cosmeceuticals.

Method 1. Destruction of the protective layer

The more the skin is treated before applying the active preparation, the more likely it is that the ingredients of the cream will penetrate the skin. If healthy skin with an intact hydrolipidic mantle is made unhealthy for 15 minutes - remove the entire fat layer from it with a tonic with a large amount of surface anionic active substances, remove part of the stratum corneum using peeling or use substances that dramatically increase microcirculation - active components from the stratum corneum have a chance " sink deeper.

Method 2. Using hardware techniques

These include such well-known and popular procedures as iontophoresis and ultrasonic phonophoresis. In these cases, the ingredients of the cream are "driven" into the skin with the help of a galvanic current of low strength and low voltage and ultrasound.

Method 3. Creams with essential oils

Some essential oils introduced into the active preparation are strong activators, natural enhancers (from the English enhancer - to strengthen, increase). They themselves very quickly “break through” into the deeper layers and “drag” everything that was with them. This is one of the reasons why it is very important to strictly control their quality in complexes with essential oils. For example, terpineol, the active substance of juniper oil, often used as a cream ingredient, is found in fat cells, that is, already at the level of the hypodermis, a few minutes after application.

Method 4. New technologies using occlusion.

If a completely harmless cream, which, in theory, should remain on the surface, is applied to prepared skin with a modified barrier, and occlusion is used on top, some of its ingredients can penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis and even into the dermis. There are many ways to occlude. There are open, closed, semi-open, alginate (works on the principle of active exchange of salts between the skin and the mask layer) types of occlusions.

Method 5. Nanotechnology

This widely publicized method is the most difficult. The use of nanosized microcapsules (liposomes, nanosomes, lipid nanoparticles, cyclodextrins, microsponges) as delivery systems is, in theory, excellent. It helps the active ingredients of the cream to get deep into the skin, allows unstable and complex components not to change the structure and "get along" with each other, ensures their gradual release, and, consequently, a prolonged effect of the drug. In practice, nanomeans can carry a lot of problems. First, since nanoingredients enter the bloodstream, it is not yet known what systemic effect this may have in the future. Secondly, there are purely technical difficulties: nano-sized ingredients are very difficult to keep in an emulsion, they aggregate (aggregation is the combination of individual elements into a single whole). As a result, instead of nanoingredients, we get aggregate complexes that have absolutely normal sizes, sometimes not even micro. Naturally, there is no need to talk about how deeply the cream penetrates into the skin.

Method 6. Peptide technologies

Peptides - short molecules consisting of several amino acids - are signaling molecules. They provide intercellular interaction: that is, with their help, cells communicate with each other. The ability of peptides to penetrate the skin is determined by the sequence and sets of amino acids they contain. Many types of peptides, in particular copper-containing ones, indeed, quite easily penetrate the skin barrier, triggering skin repair processes, affecting the production of collagen and other substances of youth. Peptides are well studied, provide predictable and targeted action: for example, the synthesis of a certain type of collagen in the skin. Today, quite a lot of different types of peptides have been developed. Including those affecting neuro-muscular transmission: they are the ingredients of creams with the “Botox effect”.

Since the action of peptides, like hormones, is to transmit signals, some consumers compare their action. This comparison is a big mistake. Hormones, in particular estrogens, have a global effect, depend on the central regulation and general functioning of the body. Signaling molecules are under the direction of secondary regulation, create a directed effect in a certain cell and a certain structure. They are a response to external factors, external stimuli: roughly speaking, a signal is received - the tissue has reacted.

Action or illusion of action?

So, modern cosmetics, and even more so cosmeceuticals, can really get inside the skin. Does this mean that when buying an expensive high-tech cream, you can count on the promised effect? Unfortunately, everything is not so simple.

“If cosmetics were with the appropriate amount of active substances, we would say so. But until manufacturers are required to indicate the concentration of ingredients, this cannot be said with certainty. For example, the same peptides used in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals are very “dose-dependent”. They have an effect only in a certain concentration (9% work, and 8% no longer). They don't just work worse, they don't work at all. Unfortunately, in mass-market products, I practically do not know of products that have a working concentration. For example, in preparations for myo-correction of wrinkles, which are used in our clinic, the amount of acetyl hexapeptide-8 (agirelin) is 10%. This is the working concentration confirmed by clinical studies. At the same time, I know the means of the mass market, where this ingredient is in the top three, while its amount is twenty-five thousandths of a percent. What effect can be expected in this case? When buying ingredients for creams and other cosmetics in the laboratories of cosmetics manufacturers, they often ask: do you want the ingredient to work, or to be able to say about it? Such "savings" are primarily due to the high price: the cost of acetyl hexapeptide-8 is 27 thousand euros per kilogram. 10% in a cosmetic product is quite expensive. Therefore, when it comes to high technology and efficiency, I would trust professional cosmetics more.”
Tiina Orasmäe-Meder explains

In our time, disputes around the question do not stop: is a cosmetic cream able to penetrate the skin. Manufacturers of cosmetics answer this question in the affirmative, specifying that the composition of the cream and its formula play an important role. Opponents contradict them, referring to the structure of the skin and its barrier-protective function. Who is right? In this article we will try to understand this issue, but first, let's start with the most important thing - the structure of our skin.

Skin structure

The skin is the largest surface organ in our body. What could be easier than skin? After all, this body is always in our sight. But behind the seeming simplicity lies a complex and multifunctional organ that has a wide range of physiological functions and pathological processes that occur in it.

So, the skin consists of three layers:

The first layer of the skin is the epidermis or skin;
The second is the dermis or the skin itself;
The third is the hypodermis or subcutaneous fat.

The epidermis consists of five layers:

stratum corneum (surface layer);
shiny layer;
granular layer;
spiny layer;
basal layer.

Each of the layers has its own tasks and functions. In the lower layer of the epidermis is the basal or growth layer. All metabolic processes take place in it, keratin, immune and pigment cells are formed.

In the spinous layer there are spiny keratinocytes, forming several rows. Lymph flows here, which transports nutrients into the cells and removes decay products from them.

The granular layer contains hydrophobic structures that prevent the penetration of water into the underlying layers. In this layer there are cells producing keratinization of the epithelium.

The shiny layer is a uniform pink stripe, consisting of two layers of flat cells without nuclei and organelles.

And finally - the stratum corneum. The main task of the epidermis is to produce the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum performs a barrier-protective function and does not have living cells. As the cell moves to the upper layer, it dies or becomes keratinized. Therefore, the stratum corneum consists of dead scales, which are constantly exfoliated and fall off. The thickness of this layer is individual for everyone and depends on the strength of the mechanical load. The stratum corneum is a good barrier to pathogenic microbes and toxins, but at the same time it is an obstacle to beneficial substances from the cream.

All cells of the epidermis are organized in layers or layers. The thickness of the layers of the epidermis is not the same in different parts of the body. For example, on the palms and soles of the feet, the thickest layer, and on the skin of the eyelids - the thinnest.

The skin performs very important functions that regulate the vital activity of our body:

protective function (protects the skin from the penetration of microbes, viruses, harmful chemicals, water from the outside);
thermoregulatory (regulates heat transfer: heat radiation and sweating);
receptor (there are numerous nerve endings in the skin);
immune (capture, transport of antigens and development of an immune response).

As it became clear from the above, it is almost impossible for the nutrients from the cream to penetrate the skin. In addition, with age, the stratum corneum thickens. So how to be? Before answering this question, let's find out how creams work.

The mechanism of action of the cream

Remember! All creams work on the same principle, regardless of their composition, ingredients or price. The cream acts only on the epidermis (surface layer of the skin), moisturizing it and creating a protective film on its surface. The most expensive and important components declared in the cream do not penetrate the skin, but remain on its surface. And all because the cosmetic cream is not a medicine, it is designed to act only at the level of the epidermis.

Method No. 1. Destruction of the stratum corneum. If you treat the skin with a special substance with anionic surfactants, which allows you to remove the entire fat layer, then the flow of active components into the skin will increase by 20%. Also, any chemical peel can destroy the hydrolipidic mantle, which improves blood microcirculation and ensures better penetration of active substances into the skin.

Method number 2. Creams with essential oils. Creams with essential oils included in the cream are considered natural enhancers (conductors) capable of carrying active substances deep into the skin. Essential oils have the ability to pass through the stratum corneum very quickly, dragging other ingredients with them. But three things are important here.

The essential oils that make up the cosmetic cream must be natural. It should be said that there are many fakes on the market of essential oils.
The price of natural essential oils is very high, which makes the final cosmetic product fabulously expensive.
For many consumers, essential oils cause severe allergic reactions.

When buying a cream with essential oils, the above factors should be considered.

Method #3: Using Hardware Techniques. Hardware cosmetology itself is a very effective method of influencing the skin. We are talking about such hardware methods as: iontopheresis, galvanotherapy, microcurrent therapy. Using hardware methods, it is possible to achieve the penetration of active ingredients into the skin using microcurrents or ultrasound.

Method number 4. Nanotechnology. Theoretically, this method is very attractive. But in practice, it is very difficult to achieve the stability of nanoingredients. Nanoparticles in a cream can change their structure and interact with other particles. They are able to penetrate the bloodstream, which can cause undesirable consequences. There are also technical difficulties that are still very difficult to eliminate.

Method number 5. Using peptides. Peptides are compounds whose molecules consist of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. To date, cosmetics with peptides are the most effective. Peptides penetrate the skin due to their structure: sequence and set of amino acids. The ability of copper-containing peptides to penetrate the skin is well known. There is even a regenerative technology based on the use of copper-containing peptides. They start regeneration processes, activate fibroblasts, promote the production of “new” collagen and elastin. The so-called "botox effect" cream is very effective and popular. It contains peptides that block neuromuscular synapses. The effect of such creams is similar to injections.

We looked at how cosmetics penetrate the skin. If you carefully read the composition of the cream and know some of the nuances, you can get a reliable and effective drug.

Buying a cream: what to look for?

Realizing that not everything is so terrible with cosmetic preparations, what should you pay attention to when buying a cream?

Cream manufacturers have their own tricks. According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, the composition on the cream packaging must be described in Latin or in English. The cream, on the packaging of which the composition is indicated in Russian, causes concern.
The list of ingredients is compiled as the quantity of the component decreases. That is, there is always the most water in the cream, which means that it should always be the leader in such a list.
The cream is alarming if it contains too many active substances: placenta extract, hyaluronic acid, molecular oxygen, phytohormones, embryonic cells, coenzyme Q10, fruit acids, collagen, elastin, vitamins, retinol. And again the question arises of how these substances are able to pass through the protective layer of the skin, but the problem is not only this.
For example, placenta extract is used in regenerative technologies. This is a very effective anti-aging procedure, but only when it comes to injections. In another case, the cream should contain enhancers that can “drag” the active substances behind them through the protective layer of the skin.
Embryonic cells in cream is a pure marketing gimmick. First, the consumption of embryonic human cells is prohibited worldwide. All fetal (from lat. fetus - fetus) cosmetics that are sold on the cosmetic market are of animal origin. And here a completely natural question arises, how can a living embryonic cell survive in a cream? And if she's dead, what's the use of her? Embryonic cells must exist in a certain environment and be stored at a certain temperature. They also need food, only in this way is their renewal and existence possible.
The cosmetic cream may contain apple stem cells, the patented name is PhytoCellTec ™ Malus Domestica. Such cosmetics really exist. Therefore, just the phrase embryonic or stem cells should alert. If we are talking about fetal cosmetics, then the packaging should have a certain marker explaining that we are talking about preparations of animal origin. Labeling can be: extracts of Ovar, Placenta, Cutis, Hepar, Amnion, Liquor amnii (amniotic fluid), placental proteins, fetal skin proteins, etc. If plant stem cells, then the patented name PhytoCellTec ™ Malus Domestica is indicated. But again, how effective these ingredients are in a cream is debatable.
Another marketing ploy of manufacturers is molecular oxygen in the composition of the cream. There has long been an opinion on the Internet that our skin "breathes", and molecular oxygen contributes to the enrichment of cells with oxygen. Let's make a verdict: our skin does not breathe. The skin cannot perform its functions normally if air is not supplied to it. But molecular oxygen in a cream is just a loud use of biochemical terms to fool the consumer. There is a possibility of hyperoxygenation of only damaged tissue. That is, the stratum corneum must be made penetrating for a while - to destroy it.
The favorite component of cosmetic manufacturers is collagen. Collagen is part of anti-aging cosmetics (the most popular and expensive). With age, elastic high-quality collagen is replaced by “defective”, worn-out collagen. That is, it cannot be said that less collagen is produced. Its structure is changing and there is an imbalance in its production: less and less young collagen is produced, and more and more old collagen. And it turns out a large accumulation of amorphous protein with a broken structure. For the synthesis of new collagen, it is necessary to turn to regenerative technologies that stimulate autologous fibroblasts. The collagen molecule is so “heavy” that in a cream it cannot penetrate the skin in any way. For this reason, collagen molecules are hydrolyzed for better absorption by the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is an indispensable component of any cosmetic cream. But it's not so easy for her either. In order for it to manifest its magical properties, it is important to use its correct molecular form. In creams, only a low molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid is used. Thus, it is able to pass through the stratum corneum and exert its moisturizing properties.
Phytohormones are a wonderful marketing trap. Favorite component of anti-aging (anti-aging) cosmetics. It is known that over the years, the production of hormones responsible for the youth and beauty of the skin is reduced. Their lack affects the most deplorable way on the appearance of a woman. The use of hormone replacement substances in the composition of the cream during menopause is a justified and expedient step. But let's see what's wrong here. There are phytohormones and phytoestrogens. The meaning of these terms is not identical. Phytoestrogens are not hormones, but they are able to mimic the effects of human estrogens. That is, they are activated in the body, start the processes of skin regeneration, promote the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Phytohormones are plant hormones. Plants have their own hormones that they produce to maintain their vital functions. Phytohormones have little in common with phytoestrogens, they do not have any estrogen-like effect at all. For this reason, they are never used to replace estrogens. Therefore, a cream containing phytohormones does not contribute to skin rejuvenation and improvement of skin parameters. It turns out another publicity stunt and money thrown to the wind. Phytoestrogens are plant substances that can mimic the effects of estrogens in the female body. But here there is a small, but very significant nuance. Phytoestrogens show their effects only in the right concentration and under specific conditions. This is a very complex and time-consuming process that is not so easy to start. In order for phytoestrogens to exert their hormone-like properties, a concentration thousands of times greater than that of our autologous estrogen is required. Only in this case, phytoestrogens will be effective. But if you just lubricate the skin with such a cream, then there will be no benefit from this.
Coenzyme Q10 - found in a huge number of creams. What is this drug? Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that prevents the formation of free radicals in the skin. It also stimulates the process of skin renewal, helps to retain moisture in it. However, the action of Coenzyme Q10 is limited only to the upper layer of the epidermis. That is, it is also not able to penetrate deep into the skin and neutralize the action of free radicals there. And one Coenzyme Q10 is not enough as an antioxidant. Usually, the maximum effect is obtained by the use of antioxidants in pairs and groups.
Most often, fruit acids are used as part of peels and exfoliants. The feasibility of using fruit acids in creams causes a lot of controversy. In order to effectively affect the skin, the content of fruit acids in the cream should be at least 70%. For a cosmetic cream, this is unacceptable, since sooner or later such a concentration can cause serious damage to the skin. Preparations with a 5% content of fruit acids are ineffective, with 10% they are already dangerous. Typically, cosmetic creams that can be purchased in stores contain no more than 3% fruit acids. Sometimes their content is even less than 3%, which makes cosmetics with fruit acids completely useless and ineffective.

Important! When buying a cream with collagen and elastin, look for the term "collagen hydrolyzate" "elastin hydrolyzate" on the packaging. Remember, in order for the cream to "work" collagen and elastin must be only in the form of a hydrolyzate. But this does not apply to hyaluronic acid. Collagen and elastin are proteins that can be hydrolyzed. Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide, a chemical substance, it cannot be hydrolyzed.

And only the dose makes it a medicine ...

We have established that the ingredients of a cosmetic cream can indeed bypass the stratum corneum and enter the skin. In this case, can we say that any cosmetic cream is an effective cosmetic product? Here, as always, the devil is in the details.

Of course, the composition of the cream plays an important role, the chemical form in which the components are presented, their interaction with each other. But the dose of active substances in the cream is also important. The fact is that some components show their active regenerating properties only in a certain concentration.

Manufacturers must indicate the concentration of an ingredient on the packaging, but as we see, this does not happen. So it turns out, there are enough active substances in the cream, but they do not “work”. Above we gave an example with fruit acids. Too high concentration of fruit acids in the cream can harm the skin, too low has no cosmetic effect.

For this reason, many cosmetic manufacturers simply claim the presence of one or another "effective" ingredient for marketing purposes, knowing for sure that its concentration is not enough for it to be active. Here the questions arise, how to be and what to do? Turn your eyes to professional cosmetics.

Why professional cosmetics

Firstly, biologically active substances are in high concentration in professional class cosmetics. And not just in high, but in the concentration in which they show their regenerating properties.

Secondly, the substances in such cosmetics are in the appropriate chemical form. Collagen and elastin in the form of a hydrolyzate, and hyaluronic acid in a low molecular weight form.

Thirdly, there is a deep penetration of active substances into the hypodermis and even the dermis.

Fourthly, the effect of using professional cosmetics is noticeable after a week.

Summing up, we can say that professional cosmetics are designed not to mask problems, but to solve them. Its effectiveness has been proven by clinical studies, regular improvements in formulas and composition, and the use of innovative technological developments.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Leather is a material obtained by tanning animal skins. It is used in the manufacture of clothing, furniture, shoes, wallets, belts and many other products. And although leather is a very durable material, it is much more difficult to clean, unlike natural or synthetic fibers. Leather can absorb a variety of strong odors such as smoke, food, sweat, perfume, mold, or the so-called “new leather smell” that occurs during the tanning process. Getting rid of these odors is not easy, but sometimes the result can only be achieved by trial and error, but if you still have doubts, you can give the skin for professional cleaning so as not to spoil it.

Steps

With the help of improvised means

Be sure to dry raw skin. If the skin is damp or moldy, the dampness must be removed as soon as possible. Moisture can damage the skin and contribute to the development of a characteristic odor, which will later be very difficult to remove. Here are some tips on how to properly dry your leather item:

Place the product in a sunny place, avoiding its direct rays, as otherwise the leather may crack and wear. Choose a seat near a window covered with curtains or blinds.
Dry your skin with a hair dryer on the lowest setting. Don't bring the hair dryer too close to your skin, otherwise it may start to crack or peel. Blow-dry the leather from a distance to evaporate moisture from the entire surface and avoid water stains.
Wipe your skin dry with a clean, dry cloth, especially if you're trying to dry leather shoes, clothes, or a wallet. Do not use alcohol-based or deodorant products, such as perfume, as they can penetrate the skin through the pores and damage it. It is best to simply wipe the product well with a dry cloth.

Wrap the skin in newspaper or wrapping paper. The spongy properties of newsprint and wrapping paper mean that these materials are able to absorb any unpleasant odors. Make sure that both the product and the newspapers used are completely dry. The loose texture of newsprint is much softer than, for example, office paper, so it absorbs odors much better.
- Place the leather product in a box filled with crumpled newspaper sheets. Close the box and leave for one or two days.
- Check if the newspaper has absorbed any unpleasant skin odors. You may need to leave the item in the newspaper for a while longer.
Cleanse your skin with vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will help you fight bad odors, and the smell of vinegar, which may seem unpleasant on its own, will dissipate along with other odors.

Use baking soda to clean. Baking soda is an excellent odor absorber. In addition, it is absolutely safe to work with the skin. You will need baking soda and a pillowcase or zippered bag that fits your leather item.
- Place the product in a pillowcase or bag. Spread baking soda in a thin layer on the surface of the skin. You can also sprinkle some baking soda inside to remove odors inside the product as well.
- Tie the top end of your pillowcase or zip up your bag. Leave the product in soda overnight or for a day.
- Soda can be removed with a napkin or a vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle. Clean the skin of the soda carefully so as not to scratch it.
- Repeat the whole procedure with soda until the smell disappears.
Remove odors naturally. Due to the natural properties of leather, odors absorbed by it, from cigarette smoke to the smell of “new leather” after tanning, will disappear on their own over time. Instead of trying to cover up the smell with perfume or deodorants, which can only prolong the odors' weathering time, just wear the product more often. If the smell is tolerable, wear leather clothing or shoes every day to ventilate your skin.
- The sock will also soften the texture of the skin, open the pores and effectively get rid of bad odors.
With the help of professional tools
1. Buy a leather cleaner. Professional cleaners can be found at any hardware store or even bought at a shoemaker. Use only special leather cleaners.
  - To wipe your leather product, you will need a clean, dry cloth. Most cleaners help to rid the leather of odors, preserve the natural color and shine, and protect the leather from damage.
2. Treat your skin with a special conditioner. After cleansing, the skin needs to be treated with a conditioner. This allows you to remove unpleasant odors, preserve the color and shine of the skin. Here are a few options for using as a conditioner:
  
  Please note that the product can also be taken to a professional cleaning. If after all the remedies you have tried, the smell still does not disappear, you should probably seek help from professionals. Depending on the type of leather and the persistence of the smell, your product will be cleaned, processed and odors removed, and for a small amount of money.
Sources

Article Information

wikiHow is a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. When creating this article, 17 people worked on editing and improving it, including anonymously.

We determine the quality of the skin. The fastest and easiest way!

We live in such a time that, unfortunately, we often have to doubt the quality of certain things. And leather is no exception. The market is overflowing with leather clothing, and it is completely incomprehensible how to understand this variety. Therefore, in order not to buy a pig in a poke and not overpay for dubious quality, right now we will learn to determine what exactly is in front of you: leather or leatherette? High-quality well-made leather or a dubious self-made product?

Get comfortable, it will be interesting!

Determine the type of leather: artificial or natural? 4 ways!

Tactile way

The easiest way to determine whether the leather in front of you is genuine or artificial is to touch it. Genuine leather will quickly become warm, while remaining dry. Leatherette, on the contrary, will only heat up after a while and even become a little wet from your hands.

Experimental way

For this method, we need water. Put a couple of drops on the skin, somewhere from the inside of the jacket. Genuine leather will absorb water and darken a little. Artificial water will not absorb, and a droplet will simply roll off its surface.

However, this method does not give a 100% guarantee of the result, because. modern products are treated with water-repellent impregnations.

visual way

For this method, our main tool is the eyes. Take a close look at the skin. For clothes made of genuine leather, the edges (edge) will be slightly rough and not processed. If the edges are processed and tucked, then you have leatherette.

In general, cuts can tell a lot. This is, so to speak, the visiting card of the material. In artificial leather, the cuts are usually smooth and feel like plastic or foam. And at its core, artificial leather has fabric, knitwear or non-woven material. In genuine leather, on the cut, you can see the fibers intertwined with each other. But on jackets in the store, there is usually no way to show the cut.

If possible, be sure to look at the inner surface of the skin - the wrong side. In professional language, the wrong side of the skin is called the terrible word "mezdra". In natural leather, the mezra is similar to suede, velveteen, velor or velvet.

Now look at the texture of the skin - its natural pattern. In natural leather, it does not repeat, in leatherette it is the same over the entire surface. The same goes for skin pores. On natural leather, they are arranged randomly, on artificial they have the same depth and shape.

High-quality leather feels delicate and soft to the touch. Squeeze the skin in the palm of your hand and release sharply. What do you see? High-quality leather will not wrinkle much and immediately, in front of your eyes, will begin to straighten out.

Olfactory way

This is an incredibly simple, but at the same time the most unreliable way to determine whether the leather in front of you is genuine or artificial. Just smell it. Faux leather usually has a strong chemical smell. But technological progress has stepped so far that artificial leather can also be given the smell of natural with the help of special flavors. So it's better not to trust the nose in this matter.

We determine the quality of the dressing and dyeing of the skin

We figured out how to quickly distinguish natural material from artificial, now we will learn how to understand the quality of leather dressing and dyeing.

To determine the quality of leather for jackets, we need a small piece of white damp cloth. Rub it on the surface of your skin. If the fabric is not dyed, then the quality of the painting is good. But there is bad news - high-quality dyed leather is a rarity today. Therefore, when buying a jacket, do not forget to treat it with water and dirt-repellent agents. In addition to their main function, they will help preserve the original color of the clothes and ensure that wearing a brown leather jacket in winter, you will meet spring not in yellow.

Now take a close look at the seams. In a quality product, all lines should be even. This is pleasing to the eye and speaks of factory, not basement production.

It's so easy to determine the quality of the leather of leather jackets!

Now you are a pro!

Armed with this simple knowledge, you can easily determine whether you really have a leather trigger or a masterfully made fake. For example, eco-leather, which is now popular, looks very similar to genuine leather. But this is only a superficial resemblance. It is unlikely that artificial leather will have the same high quality characteristics as genuine leather. She will not "breathe" because she has no pores and will not be able to boast the same durability.

Don't let yourself be fooled. Choose only high-quality material and do not overpay for fakes.

Happy shopping!