It is called astringent to that substance that produces constriction and dryness in organic tissues, therefore decreasing the secretion that they may experience. That is, put in simpler terms, the astringent, also known as stypticonce applied locally or topically, for example, on the skin, will produce a tissue retraction effect, facilitating healing, or failing that, causing anti-inflammatory or anti-hemorrhagic actions in areas affected by a wound.
There are a wide variety of astringents, although among the most commonly used are the following: alum, tannin, cinchona, silver nitrate, zinc sulfate, saline and cypress essential oil.
Meanwhile, it’s called astringent taste to the one that is experienced in the mouth and that reports a sensation of intense dryness accompanied by bitterness. Among the foods that are characterized precisely by manifesting that bitter, astringent flavor that we mentioned, ripe fruits such as dates and persimmon; likewise, some tea infusions tend to produce this same bitter taste.
On the other hand, at the request of dermatology, more precisely the care and treatment of the face with greasy characteristics, it is common to use lotions that contain astringent substances, since they have properties that facilitate skin cleansing, completely freeing it of impurities and also decreasing its seborrheic secretion. As we said, this type of lotion is indicated for those people who have oily or mixed skin but with a tendency to be oily.
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