Is your skin barrier impaired?
Did you know your skin barrier is your body’s first line of defence against environmental aggressors, such as pollution, bacteria, and harsh weather. It also plays a critical role in retaining moisture and keeping your skin healthy.
Unfortunately, a strong, healthy skin barrier is not always the case and if your skin barrier is compromised, your skin becomes vulnerable, which can lead to various issues.
How do you know if your skin barrier is impaired?
Here’s a quick guide to help you identify the signs and what you can do to rectify them.
What Is the Skin Barrier?
The outermost layer of your skin, (also known as the stratum corneum), consists of cells that are held together by lipids. Picture it like a brick wall where the cells are the bricks, and the lipids are the mortar. If the mortar is damaged or missing, external elements can affect the brick wall and the barrier becomes impaired.
This barrier not only locks moisture in but also protects your skin from external irritants. So, if your skin barrier is impaired some skin care ingredients will penetrate too quickly and believe me your skin will not thank you.
Signs of an Impaired Skin Barrier
An impaired skin barrier often manifests through a combination of symptoms:
1. Dryness and Flakiness - Your skin feels persistently dry, tight, and flaky even after moisturizing.
2. Sensitivity - You experience stinging or burning sensations when applying skincare products.
3. Redness and Irritation - Patches of redness or inflamed areas become more noticeable.
4. Breakouts or Acne - An impaired barrier can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
5. Rough Texture - Your skin may feel uneven or rough to the touch.
6. Visible Dehydration Lines - Fine lines, often mistaken for wrinkles, appear due to lack of hydration.
7. Infections or Rashes - Your skin becomes prone to infections or develops eczema-like rashes.
Causes of an Impaired Skin Barrier
Understanding what can cause an impaired barrier is often key so it can be rectified.
Common culprits include:
• Over-exfoliation: Using physical scrubs or chemical exfoliants too frequently. Or sometime using more than one exfoliating product and not even realising it.
• Harsh Products: Skincare products with high concentrations of alcohol, fragrances, or sulphates.
• Environmental Factors: Excessive sun exposure, cold weather, wind and pollution.
• Stress and Poor Diet: High stress levels and a diet lacking essential fatty acids can weaken your barrier.
• Improper Skincare Routine: Skipping moisturizer or over-washing your face. Even using the incorrect products for your skin type can cause skin barrier issues.
How to Repair an Impaired Skin Barrier
If you suspect your skin barrier is compromised, it’s crucial to take action. Here’s how:
1. Simplify Your Routine - Stick to gentle, fragrance-free products and avoid active ingredients like retinoids (Vitamin A’s) and AHAs/BHAs until your barrier heals.
2. Moisturize Regularly - Use a moisturizer to restore lipids and strengthen your barrier.
3. Hydrate Internally - Drink plenty of water and consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts.
4. Protect Against UV Rays - Always apply SPF.
5. Avoid Hot Showers - Use lukewarm water to prevent stripping natural oils from your skin.
6. Incorporate Barrier Repair Ingredients - Look for products with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Our Vitamin B Hydration Booster is our little secret against an impaired skin barrier.
Your skin barrier is crucial for the overall health of your skin.
Paying attention to the signs of a stripped or impaired skin barrier and taking steps to repair it can make a significant difference. By adopting a gentle skincare routine and protecting your skin from external aggressors, you can restore balance and achieve a healthy, glowing complexion.