Many people try out different skincare products in the pursuit of perfect skin. High-quality skin care products can certainly help preserve and restore your skin’s health and vitality.
From serums to exfoliators, different products serve distinct purposes. However, all skincare products share one thing in common: they work on your skin barrier. Your skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of your skin. It’s your body’s first line of defense against external pathogens. Unfortunately, your skin barrier can get damaged over time.
If you’re wondering how to repair a damaged skin barrier, you’re in the right place. Below, we’ll discuss how the skin barrier works, what it does, and signs that it may be damaged. We’ll also explain how to repair a damaged skin barrier.
What is your skin barrier?
Skin is the body’s largest organ. Your skin is made up of several layers. The outermost layer is known as the skin barrier. It provides protection for the other layers of skin behind it.
The skin barrier is constructed similarly to a brick wall. It’s made up of two major components:
Skin cells – The skin cells found within the skin barrier are called corneocytes. Corneocytes are dead skin cells that contain keratin, which is a protective protein that provides structure to your hair, nails, and skin. Corneocytes are essentially the bricks that make up your skin barrier.
Lipids – Your skin barrier also contains lipids, which are made up of free fatty acids, ceramides, and cholesterol. When your skin barrier is healthy, its lipids keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated. These lipids also act as the mortar that glues the bricks of your skin barrier together.
Additionally, the skin barrier contains an acid mantle, which is a film on the skin that has an acidic pH.
What is the function of the skin barrier or acid mantle?
The skin barrier serves three primary functions:
Blocking external toxins and pathogens from entering the body
Keeping moisture and hydration locked inside the body
Protecting skin from bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
In other words, your skin barrier keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out.
What can damage the skin barrier?
The skin barrier can face a daily barrage of internal and external threats.
Here are a few of the factors that can harm the skin barrier:
Over-washing and over-exfoliating – Washing and exfoliating your skin is generally a healthy practice. However, you don’t want to overdo it. Washing or exfoliating too often may strip your skin barrier of its lipids, leaving it in a more permeable state.
Hot water – A hot shower can be incredibly relaxing after a long day. Unfortunately, hot water may also be harmful to your skin. Research shows that prolonged exposure to hot water can impair your skin barrier’s functionality.
Harsh products – Harsh detergents, solvents, chemicals, and perfumes may weaken your skin barrier over time. Alkaline skin care products may also damage your skin barrier’s acid mantle, leaving you more vulnerable to skin infections.
Excessive sun exposure – Soaking up some Vitamin D can be healthy, but too much unprotected UV exposure can be harmful to your skin. In addition to putting you at greater risk of skin cancer, prolonged sun exposure may increase the permeability of your skin barrier.
Extreme environments and pollution – When the weather gets dry or humid, the functionality of your skin barrier may be reduced. Your skin barrier may also get damaged after prolonged exposure to pollution.
Genetic factors – If you have a predisposition for psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, your skin barrier may be at a genetic disadvantage. It may not produce the right balance of components it needs to stay healthy and strong.
Aging – Lastly, the skin barrier tends to get weaker with age. As a result, older individuals often have drier, more sensitive skin.
As you can see, some of these factors are out of your control, while others can be remedied with simple skincare alterations.
How to tell if your skin barrier is damaged?
When your skin barrier function is damaged, toxins and pathogens may be able to penetrate your skin and enter your body more easily. Your skin may also become dry and dehydrated due to increased water loss.
The signs of a damaged skin barrier can include:
How to protect and restore your skin barrier
A healthy skin barrier presents internal and external benefits, so it's essential to ensure it's repaired if it's damaged. But if you’re experiencing symptoms of a damaged skin barrier, there are many things you can do to repair it over time.
Here are seven steps that can help you restore your skin barrier’s health:
#1 Streamline your skincare regime
Skin barrier repair starts with your skincare routine. Caring for your skin doesn’t need to involve a lot of products. In fact, using too many products may irritate your skin and damage your skin barrier. It’s important to know how to pair your favorite products for the most effective skincare routine order.
Thus, the first step to restoring your skin barrier’s strength is to simplify your skincare routine. Ask your healthcare provider what products are essential for your skin. If any of your current products leave your skin feeling dry, tight, or irritated, remove them from your routine.
Also, don’t forget to review the pH of your remaining products. Your skin barrier naturally has a pH between four and six. Alkaline products that have pHs above seven may impair your skin barrier’s acid mantle.
#2 Avoid over-washing and over-exfoliating
Cleansing and exfoliating are cornerstones of many people’s skin routines. While these two steps can keep your skin clean and clear, you don’t want to overdo them as they can lead to a damaged barrier.
Here are a few steps to take to reduce over-washing and over-exfoliation:
Wash your face with a cleanser just once a day
Rein back your exfoliation frequency to once a week
If you can, choose chemical exfoliants which are often milder on the skin than physical scrubs
By giving your skin barrier a break from over-washing and over-exfoliating, it can take the time it needs to repair itself. Try to incorporate a gentle cleanser as well to ensure it will not cause a compromised skin barrier.
#3 Use an occlusive moisturizer
Since a damaged skin barrier can cause dehydration, it’s important to lock in your skin’s moisture using other methods.
Occlusive moisturizers can prevent water from evaporating from your compromised skin barrier since they hold moisture on its behalf. Occlusive moisturizers often contain the following types of ingredients:
Petrolatum, in particular, has been shown to stop up to 99% of skin water loss.
#4 Use products that contain ceramides
As we mentioned earlier, your skin barrier’s lipid layer is made up in part of ceramides, which are a type of lipid molecule. Ceramides are produced by your body naturally. However, they can decline over time with age. Your ceramides may also be damaged if you use harsh soaps or cleansers.
You can usually find a ceramide-rich moisturizer, cleanser, and other products to add to your regime. Applying skincare that contains pseudo-ceramides can restore your skin barrier’s structural integrity.
#5 Apply an SPF sunscreen every day
Sun exposure can harm your skin in many ways and harmful UV rays can lead to skin cancer, premature aging, and skin barrier damage. The benefits of sunscreen help to prevent all of these harmful effects caused by sun exposure and UV rays.
While UV radiation can wreak havoc on your skin barrier, you don’t have to hide inside all day to avoid the sun. Simply apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher each day to protect your healthy skin and prevent a damaged barrier.
#6 Nourish your skin from within
Another important part of skin barrier repair? Starting from the inside out. As you start applying the right products externally, you also want to think about how you’re nourishing your skin from within. Eating a healthy diet may be able to improve your skin barrier.
The following foods have been shown to have a positive effect on the skin barrier:
Omega-three-rich foods, such as cold water fish, hemp seeds, and walnuts
Probiotics, such as yogurts and fermented vegetables
Prebiotics, such as whole grains and fibrous vegetables
#7 Revamp your sleep routine
Poor sleep can cause a host of health issues, including a weakened skin barrier. If your sleepless nights are followed up by bad skin days, improving your sleep quality may be what you need to restore your skin barrier.
Here are a few tips for getting a stellar night’s sleep:
Get more physical activity during the day
Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day
Finish your last meal at least three hours before you go to sleep
Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime
Don’t take naps that last longer than 30 minutes in the afternoon
In addition to helping repair your skin barrier, better sleep can also leave you feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated.
The Pill Club: Repair your skin barrier today
Whether you’re curious about how to prevent aging or what the proper skincare routine is, repairing your skin barrier is essential for many functions. As you can see, your skin barrier plays a notable role in your skin’s health and appearance. Now that you know how to repair your skin barrier, you can start taking the right steps to restore its strength and functionality.
If you need help choosing the right products for your skin, The Pill Club has you covered. Our healthcare providers can help you get the prescription skin care you need. Whether you're struggling with a damaged skin barrier, acne, or hyperpigmentation, we can guide your skincare search in the right direction. Best of all, our skin treatments can cost as little as $0 with insurance.
Sign up today to receive a handpicked selection of skincare essentials tailored to your skin’s unique needs.
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