Another day, another skincare trend, and another product that promises to give you glass skin that doesn’t exist. If you scroll through your Instagram feed, every day you’ll find a new brand announcing a composition of ingredients for that celebrity look.
No matter what the trend is or which brand is introducing a revolutionary skincare product, there is one common thread that binds them all.
And, that’s their approach to skincare. The approach that only talks about how to look good on the outside. However, for outer beauty, your skin needs to be healthy from the inside, which basically means having a healthy skin barrier.
If you know about it, it’s a good start. If you don't, let's dig deeper to understand everything you need to know about this magical layer that protects your skin.
What’s a skin barrier?
The skin barrier, also known as the epidermal barrier, plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy and radiant skin. It performs multiple functions. It acts as a physical barrier, preventing the invasion of harmful microorganisms, toxins, and allergens. It also regulates water loss, maintaining the skin's moisture balance. Moreover, it defends against UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental stressors.
Why is the skin barrier so important?
A healthy skin barrier is the secret of nourished and glowing skin. When it gets damaged, the skin looks dull, dehydrated, and lifeless. It's critical to take care of the skin barrier if you want to look your best.
How does the barrier get damaged?
As you age, the skin barrier weakens naturally. However, there are multiple other factors that compromise the health of your skin barrier.
The most common cause of skin barrier damage is over-exfoliation. In a bid to achieve glowing skin quickly, you tend to over-exfoliate your skin. However, it doesn’t just remove dead skin cells but also the protective skin barrier. Along with that, excessive use of actives also damages the barrier.
Sun exposure also weakens the skin barrier, leading to dryness, discoloration, and premature aging. Pollution, such as airborne particles and toxins, penetrates the skin and causes inflammation and oxidative stress.
Inadequate nutrition weakens the skin's defense mechanisms, while stress and sleep deprivation affect its ability to repair and regenerate.
Now that you have an idea about how the skin barrier gets damaged, you should also know how to identify the same.
What are the signs of a compromised skin barrier?
When the skin barrier is compromised, it shows various signs that indicate its weakened state. Redness, inflammation, and sensitivity are common symptoms of a compromised barrier. The skin may become easily irritated, leading to discomfort and even pain.
Dryness and flakiness are also prevalent in compromised skin barriers. Without a healthy barrier, the skin loses its ability to retain moisture, resulting in a dehydrated and dull complexion.
Another indication of a compromised skin barrier is increased susceptibility to breakouts. A weakened barrier allows bacteria and other impurities to penetrate deeper, leading to acne and blemishes.
If you have identified a concern, you must work towards solving it. So, after knowing that your barrier is damaged, you must know how to repair it.
How to repair and revive your skin barrier?
To maintain a healthy skin barrier, it is crucial to adopt a gentle skincare routine. Harsh cleansers and exfoliants can strip away the skin's natural oils and disrupt the barrier function. Instead, opt for mild cleansers that cleanse without causing irritation.
Hydration is key to preserving the skin barrier's integrity. Drinking an adequate amount of water and using hydrating skincare products helps to keep the skin plump and moisturized. Look for moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, as these provide deep hydration and support the barrier function.
Choosing the right skincare products is essential for skin barrier health. Opt for products that are free of harsh ingredients, such as sulfates, parabens, and alcohols. Instead, look for products that contain nourishing components such as Ceramides, Peptides, and Hyaluronic Acid among others.
Final Thoughts
Most of the skincare today are focused on glass skin while missing the importance of taking care of the skin from the inside. This obsession with outer glow has led to people using multiple products and blindly following social media trends which in turn has left the skin barrier damaged.
It’s time to shift your focus to skin barrier and this blog is all you need to know about it. If you’re able to repair your barrier, you won’t need to follow superficial trends to look your best, it will happen on its own.
Happy skincare!
