We are constantly exposed to chemicals, air pollutants, oxidative stress, and UV damage that can disrupt our skin’s natural ecosystem.
Our skin plays multiple roles for our body - one being a protective barrier between us and the outside environment.
The outermost layer of the skin called the stratum corneum is very important for maintaining healthy skin and appearance. Our stratum corneum also referred to as the skin barrier is composed of a lipid composition that protects against environmental offenders such as pathogens like bacteria and helps regulate the passage of water through the tissue. Keratinocyte cells line up together like a brick wall and the lipid composition act as the glue to hold them all together.
Our skin plays multiple roles for our body - one being a protective barrier between us and the outside environment.
The outermost layer of the skin called the stratum corneum is very important for maintaining healthy skin and appearance. Our stratum corneum also referred to as the skin barrier is composed of a lipid composition that protects against environmental offenders such as pathogens like bacteria and helps regulate the passage of water through the tissue. Keratinocyte cells line up together like a brick wall and the lipid composition act as the glue to hold them all together.
Changes to this lipid composition often lead to a disrupted skin barrier, causing environmental allergies, immune reactions, irritated skin, and inflammatory skin conditions.
A healthy skin barrier allows for proper skin repair from the outside environment and prevents our skin from being dehydrated.
What disrupts your skin barrier?
There are multiple causes for a disrupted skin barrier, due to environmental changes, internal changes, using too many actives in your skincare routine, or over-exfoliating, disrupting the skin's pH level.
Over time, this disruption can cause our skin barrier to become weak, and more prone to breakouts and inflammatory conditions such as hyperpigmentation that take longer to heal.
Over time, this disruption can cause our skin barrier to become weak, and more prone to breakouts and inflammatory conditions such as hyperpigmentation that take longer to heal.
Ways to protect your skin barrier?
Hydration
Keeping your skin hydrated with a moisturizer is important for protecting your skin barrier. Even if you are experiencing breakouts or acne-prone, do not skip out on keeping your skin hydrated.
Keeping your skin hydrated with a moisturizer is important for protecting your skin barrier. Even if you are experiencing breakouts or acne-prone, do not skip out on keeping your skin hydrated.
Safe sun exposure
Daily sun exposure is great for our overall health. However, UV damage can disrupt our skin barrier. Using SPF is important to incorporate into your skincare routine. We recommend using an SPF that does not have ingredients such as Benzene or Oxybenzone.
Daily sun exposure is great for our overall health. However, UV damage can disrupt our skin barrier. Using SPF is important to incorporate into your skincare routine. We recommend using an SPF that does not have ingredients such as Benzene or Oxybenzone.
Exfoliation
Do not overdo exfoliating your skin by using actives such as acids and abrasive scrubs.
Do not overdo exfoliating your skin by using actives such as acids and abrasive scrubs.
Maintain your skin's normal pH level.
The pH level on the skin plays a role in certain skin symptoms such as dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and acne. A healthy skin pH is slightly acidic and can range from a pH of 4 – 7. This acidic environment helps assist with a healthy skin microbiome.
The pH level on the skin plays a role in certain skin symptoms such as dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and acne. A healthy skin pH is slightly acidic and can range from a pH of 4 – 7. This acidic environment helps assist with a healthy skin microbiome.
Nourishing internally for healthy skin.
Support your internal health by consuming a nutrient-dense diet, focusing on blood sugar regulation, adequate mineral intake, a proper sleep routine, and hydration are all important foundational health aspects that reflect our skin health.
Support your internal health by consuming a nutrient-dense diet, focusing on blood sugar regulation, adequate mineral intake, a proper sleep routine, and hydration are all important foundational health aspects that reflect our skin health.