Are you thinking that flawless, glowing skin is the result of products you put on?
The answer is NO!
There is a natural skin defense system that protects the skin from dehydration, bacteria and the effects of harsh chemicals or pollution, called the Skin barrier.
The skin barrier is invisible to the eye but works tirelessly to fix the skin damage in our daily routine. If this barrier gets weakened, it will lead to many skin-related issues like irritation, dry patches, and premature aging. But the good news is that it is possible for you to protect your skin barrier by understanding the needs of your skin, starting with the right skin care routine order.
To get back the strength of your skin barrier, here we are revealing some secrets, which helps you understand how you can maintain your charm.
What is the Skin Barrier?
An outermost layer of skin, which consists of skin cells and natural lipids, is called skin barrier. It is also known as the epidermal barrier, which works as a protective agent for your skin.
Why does it matter?
The skin barrier plays an important role in the overall health of your skin. The skin barrier helps to protect the skin from the intense effects of the environment. This protective layer contains healing power for your skin, which helps the skin to repair itself.
Know the Signs | Damaged Skin Barrier
If the skin barrier is not functioning properly, your skin will show loud and clear signs of damage. If these red flags are ignored, the condition will get worse. Here are some early signs that help you to repair damaged skin barriers.
1. Dry Patchy Skin
The skin barrier plays an important role in balancing the hydration level of your skin and making it able to absorb the nutrients. When this barrier is compromised, you will feel dry, tight, and dull skin if this barrier breaks down.
Causes
- Less intake of water, low pH levels
- Overuse of harsh skin products
- Underlying skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema)
- Direct sun exposure, without SPF
- Nutrients deficiency
2. Inflammation or Redness
If your skin is under stress, you will notice a clear and immediate sign of redness or inflammation. When the defense system of skin gets weakened, it becomes hypersensitive even to water or breeze.
Causes
- Taking hot water showers
- Use of rough towels or scrubbing
- UV rays and strong winds
- Using too many actives (retinol+ acids) at a time
- Fragrances with Denatured Alcohol
3. Uneven Skin Tone
The upper layer skin barrier of your skin is made up of lipids (natural fats), and when it is damaged, the appearance of your skin becomes dull and the tone looks uneven, and no amount of makeup can fix it.
Causes
- Disruption of pH balance
- Taking too much sugar or processed food
- Climate changes (cold dry air; humid weather)
- Hormonal imbalance
- Not removing Make up properly
4. Sensitivity
As a result of skin barrier weakness, skin overreacts to things that usually wouldn’t cause issues, like products, weather changes, and even water or air.
Causes
- Use of harsh products for exfoliation
- Pollution and harsh weather
- Excessive use of products containing Sulfate
- Lack of rich nutrients
- Use of certain botanical extracts
5. Skin infections
The skin barrier is a natural defense system of your body. When it is composed, skin gets infected more easily by germs and bacteria, which can cause painful red patches, pimples, and boils on the skin.
Causes
- Use of unclean makeup tools
- Often touching face with unclean hands
- Treating wounds and cuts improperly
- Excessive sweating
- Cracked skin?
Steps for How to Repair Your Skin Barrier
Don’t worry, repairing your skin barrier is as easy as it sounds. Let’s explore some simple steps that help you to restore the strength of your natural defense, helping to feel soft, hydrated, and glowing once again. Understanding the cleanser and face wash difference is also key to choosing the right product for your skin care routine.
Focus on Skin pH Level
Keep your skin pH at a healthy level. It will help your skin barrier to heal from damages. As pH level protects your skin from severe skin conditions (eczema, dermatitis). Its acidic properties protect your skin from germs and bacteria.
Choose cleansing products which have mild pH-balanced. Overuse of exfoliating acids like glycolic, salicylic and lactic acid which can lower the pH level of skin. Avoid the use of strong scrubs and harsh chemicals.
Protection against UV Rays
UV rays are one of the biggest enemies of the skin barrier. If you want to preserve your glow, then protect your skin barrier from sun exposure.
Choose broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and use it on a daily basis whether you are indoor or outdoor. Apply antioxidant serums (vitamin C, E, and niacinamide), as they can help to fight sun damage. If you have outdoor activities, then wear protective clothing and wear UV-protective sunglasses.
Take Nutrient-rich diet
The food you eat can play a major role in protecting the defensive shield of your skin. A right, balanced diet can maintain the overall health of your skin barrier.
Use of antioxidant-rich foods like berries and leafy greens or certain fruits and vegetables can help you to protect against many skin problems like wrinkling, skin aging ,and inflammation.
Eat fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), which have omega-3 fatty acids. Dry fruits and seeds like chia, flax and sunflower seeds are a rich source of healthy fats and helps to maintain the lipid barrier of skin.
Moisturize Your Skin Daily
To maintain the natural barrier of your skin, moisturizing is the best option. Moisturizer helps against the environmental stress and rebuilds the natural defense system of skin.
Apply moisturizer in the morning and before going to bed, as it can heal the damages. Some moisturizers contain lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, which help to hold your skin cells together. Use fragrance-free products, as they have harsh ingredients that can lead to skin irritation.
Prioritize Sleep and Reduce Stress
If you are not getting enough sleep, your skin will look dull and dry. So, your first priority is your bedtime routine, which should be a maximum of 7-9 hours. Use of smooth and silky pillowcases can reduce the friction with your skin and prevent it from irritation. To improve your sleep quality, avoid late-night intake of caffeine and sugar.
Stress becomes a crucial enemy for your skin barrier, as stress weakens the collagen of skin and makes you look older than your age. If you are getting stressed out then meditation and exercise is the best way to overcome this psychological condition.
Conclusion
Understand what your skin says, as it will help you to protect and repair your skin related issues. By adopting a good-life style and avoiding harsh products, you will lead to positive, long-lasting results. If you are in search of a relaxing spa experience for facial treatment in Dubai, then there is a wide range according to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1 What is the skin barrier?
Yes, if the damage is severe and linked to any medical condition it’s necessary to consult with a dermatologist as they may recommend specific treatments.
2. What are the signs of damaged skin barrier?
Scaly, dull, and infected skin is the major sign of a damaged skin barrier. When this natural barrier is damaged, skin starts to lose its natural moisture.
3. Which product is best to fix the skin barrier?
Products containing glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and fatty acids will help to restore the function of the natural skin barrier.
4. Is retinol best for a healthy skin barrier?
Yes, retinol is good for skin’s overall health. But if you are having any skin-related issues, then it’s better to avoid retinol, as it can lead the condition to worsen.
5. Does improper sleep affect the skin barrier?
Yes, skin has an ability to repair itself during sleep; if you have insufficient sleep, then it may lead to a weakened skin barrier, which can cause dryness, dullness, and inflammation.
