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by Tatiana SAMOY January 02, 2023 4 min read

Your skin is your first line of defence against the outside world. It protects you from environmental threats, such as bacteria and pollution, and keeps harmful chemicals and irritants from entering your body. The skin barrier is a complex system that consists of the skin's natural oils, sweat, and sebum. When this barrier is damaged, it can lead to skin problems like dryness, eczema, and psoriasis. This blog post will discuss the top seven ingredients that can damage the skin barrier and how to protect your skin!

 

What is the skin barrier?

The skin barrier is a complex system that consists of the skin's natural oils, sweat, and sebum. This barrier helps to protect the skin from environmental threats, such as bacteria and pollution. It also keeps harmful chemicals and irritants from entering the body. When this barrier is damaged, it can lead to skin problems like dryness, eczema, and psoriasis.

 

Why is it important?

The skin barrier is essential because it helps keep the skin healthy and hydrated. It also helps to protect the body from harmful substances.

The micro-biome is affected by our daily habits, external factors (environment, weather), and internal factors that are out of our control (genetics, age).

 

The Top 7 skincare habits that destroy the skin barrier

Sun exposure

Yes, research confirms that when our skin is over-exposed to UVB rays, the ceramides and proteins get denatured on the outer layer of the skin. The normal skin barrier that retains moisture is permeable and increases our exposure to other environmental factors.

 

Overwashing

Harsh cleansers might harm the skin's barrier. It may strip away the natural lipids that protect our skin. Alkaline detergents and soaps can damage the skin's first protective layer, which provides most of the protection. That is particularly true for alkaline detergents and soaps.

 

Over-exfoliating

Over-exfoliating is more popular now than it used to be, with many types of exfoliating treatments and the desire for fast results in your skincare regimen. Over-exfoliating your skin damages the undesirable dead cells on the top layer of your epidermis and the functional "skin barrier" that was there, to begin with. Always keep an eye on how you're using your exfoliators and check for any changes in your skin; this will allow you to STOP doing it when necessary.

 

Pollution, harmful or dry air quality

Pollution and dry air have been shown to damage the skin barrier layer. When the air quality is poor, it's common for people to have sensitive and itchy skin. As a result, it's essential to limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are high, use protective masks and clothing outdoors, and utilize an air purifier in your living area to keep the air clean. This will not just benefit your skin but will also help your general health.

 

Stress and lack of sleep

Have you ever had a "bad skin" day when you didn't get enough sleep or rest? According to studies, lack of sleep or relaxation can harm your skin barrier and cause more significant transepidermal water loss. Get more rest, sleep, and protect your skin barrier!

 

Use ingredients that may be irritant to our skin

The micro-biome on the outer layer of our skin becomes unbalanced if we consistently expose it to irritants, allergens, and pollutants. While it is inevitable to have exposure to some of these substances, we can be more attentive to the products that cause redness or discomfort to our skin.

 

Living in a closed environment

Spending hours in a closed room that's either humid or dry can also affect the microbiome. Yes, even in a secure room with intense air conditioning. We can remedy this by opening the window when needed and rebalancing air humidity to a more normal level.

 

 

How to protect your skin barrier

It's important to understand that our skin barrier is constantly attacked by external and internal factors. However, there are things we can do to protect our skin barrier and reduce the risk of damage.

 

Use gentle cleansers

Look for cleansers free of harsh chemicals and detergents. You can also try oil-based or balm cleansers, which are gentler on the skin.

 

Limit sun exposure

Wear sunscreen daily, even when it's cloudy. And don't forget to apply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

 

Be careful with exfoliating

If you do exfoliate, be sure to use gentle products and exfoliate no more than once or twice a week.

 

Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is vital for overall health, including skin health. Aim for eight glasses of water a day.

 

Eat a healthy diet

A balanced diet helps reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and omega-rich foods in your diet.

 

Manage stress

Stress can cause skin problems, so it's essential to find ways to manage it. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.

 

Get enough sleep

Sleep is essential for overall skin health. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

 

 

What types of products can boost your skin barrier?

You can find skincare products containing ceramide complexes (ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol) coupled with active ingredients gentle enough not to create an imbalance in your skin but to see results.

You can also find supplements that contain ceramide complexes to strengthen the skin barrier from the inside.

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Overall, the skin barrier is preserved by taking a holistic approach.

Our skin barrier is constantly under attack, and it's essential to take a holistic approach to protect it. This includes using gentle cleansers, limiting sun exposure, being careful with exfoliating, drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep. You can also find skin care products and supplements containing ceramide complexes to boost your skin barrier from the inside out. By following these tips, you'll be well on keeping your skin healthy and happy!

Tatiana SAMOY
Tatiana SAMOY


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