We all know that our skin is our body’s largest organ and it is only necessary to keep it on it’s optimal health!
What is a Skin Barrier?
Our skin is composed of 3 layers, which are the Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis. Now let’s focus on the Epidermis, this is the outer layer where you can find the stratum corneum which acts as the protective barrier for our skin.
Simply put, this barrier protects the deeper layers of our skin from water loss and prevents further damages that may be caused by free radicals, environmental stressors, UV rays, and pollution.
When our skin barrier becomes weak and damaged, it may be prone to irritants and difficult to recover from signs of aging and post-acne scars/marks. Our skin will visibly look dull, dry and textured due to having a compromised skin.
Taking care of your skin barrier also means taking care of your skin’s overall health. Thus making your skin appear more radiant, plump and supple.
How to avoid having a compromised barrier
1. Make sure to use warm water when washing.
- Use a gentle and mild cleanser. It is important to choose a cleanser that is pH-balanced. Also, cleansers that contain harsh chemicals and sulfates may strip off the natural oils from your skin which may result in dry skin.
- Do not over-exfoliate the skin. May it be physical or chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants are better than physical exfoliants, but make sure to patch test the product first. Be mindful of the percentage of your chemical exfoliant as well, making sure it won’t irritate your skin.
- Always, ALWAYS protect your skin from the sun. Apply sunscreen or creams with SPF of 30 or greater.
But how can our skin barrier recover from being damaged?
You can supplement and nourish your skin with products that contain ceramides, fatty acids, protein, good cholesterol, and lipids. These are skin-identical ingredients that will help increase your skin’s resiliency and maintain a good hydration balance.
If you want to achieve a healthier skin that’s less prone to skin problems, then maybe you should start with strengthening your skin barrier.
Let’s be mindful of our skin barrier for a healthier looking skin.