Firstly, let us understand what skin barrier is. For all those informed ones, let us revalidate our correct understanding of skin barrier. Our skin is made up of layers, each of which performs important functions in protecting our body. The outermost layer, called the stratum corneum is often described as a brick wall. It consists of tough skin cells called corneocytes that are bound together by mortar-like lipids. This is our skin barrier.
Inside the skin cells, there are keratin and natural moisturizers. This lipid layer contains cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides. This fantastically thin brick wall is literally keeping us alive. Without it, all sorts of harmful environmental toxins and pathogens could penetrate our skin and wreak havoc in our body. Additionally, without our skin barrier, the water inside our body would escape and evaporate, leaving us completely dehydrated.
How do you know that our skin barrier is not working?
There are many ways, we can presume that our skin barrier is not working properly. Few symptoms that point towards broken skin barrier are itchiness, acne, sensitive areas, dry & flaky skin portions and skin infections. There are many reasons for a broken skin barrier. While many can be from natural or lifestyle causes, there are many instances where wrong usage of beauty products cause massive damage to our skin barrier. Few of the natural causes are over exposure to sun, alkaline soaps and detergents, too humid or too dry environment, over washing of skin, harsh chemicals and many more, that intuitively turns on our internal alarm system send the message – this condition is not so good for my skin. In today’s beauty market, ‘active ingredients’ is a buzz word. Many products claim to use active ingredients to target specific skin condition and to have faster results. However, these products can have adverse effect on our skins, if used in the wrong manner. If these products are used in the wrong intervals or in wrong combinations, our skin barrier can get affected pretty quickly.
How can we care for our skin barrier?
For us, the people of tropics, sunscreen is a must have in our pouches and vanities when we leave the conform of our homes. This takes major effect when the UV intensity is at its peak during the noon. We must protect our exposed skin from these harmful UV rays. Our skin’s delicate acid mantle hovers around a pH of 5.7. But the pH of some skin products can range from 3.7, all the way up to 8.2. Researchers recommend cleansing with a product that’s close to your skin’s natural pH.
Hence, do read the ‘small inscriptions’ called the detailed label on the product you choose. Certain plant oils may help repair the skin barrier and also prevent our skin barrier from losing moisture. Many of these oils have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, too. Some oils with various positive results on skin health are rosehip oil, coconut oil, almond oil, sunflower oil and argan oil.
Finally, get a good moisturizer. If you have concerns over recently started dryness or itchiness of skin, find a moisturizer with ceramides & humectants. Humectants have the ability of re-hydrating skin by simply pulling moisture out of the air and pushing it back to our skin. However, ceramides does more than re-hydrating. Ceramides can replenish natural oils lost by the skin due to skin barrier breakage; and by doing so ceramides can reconstruct our skin barrier.
Finally, it is always recommended to care for our skin barrier by ensuring we are using correct pH products and reducing exposure to harsh chemicals and UV rays. But many times our lifestyle pushes us to make exceptions. Worry not, a good ceramides infused moisturizer and cared lifestyle can build back our skin barrier.
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Our mission is to help women lead healthier, happier lives by connecting them with our beauty and wellness community. You can be at any stage of womanhood, becoming momity is just a click away!
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Our mission is to help women lead healthier, happier lives by connecting them with our beauty and wellness community. You can be at any stage of womanhood, becoming momity is just a click away!