Decoding the Science Behind Barrier Repair
Everyone these days is talking about the skin barrier – its functions and repair. Are you also wondering about it? If yes, you are at the right place. Stay with us as we delve deeper into the concept!
We spend hours scrolling skincare blogs, products, and videos. Having healthy and glowing skin is a dream for every woman. But are we missing out on an essential component here? Yes. And it is the skin barrier.
So, let's talk about the concept of skin barrier today. As we navigate the blog, you will come across the essential aspects of this new skincare trend. So, let's dive into the details!
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Understanding the concept of skin barrier
Our skin is composed of three layers – the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. Moreover, the top layer is called the epidermis. Its outermost layer is called stratum corneum. But why are we getting into the details?
Because, when we discuss the skin barrier, it means we are referring to your stratum corneum! So, you see, our skin barrier is like a strong brick wall. It surrounds the skin. This barrier is composed of keratinocytes. This component covers the skin like flat bricks and shields it from external factors.
And what makes these bricks stick together? Well, it has proteins and lipids in the mortar that keep the bricks joined and together. This formation is meant to hold the hydration and moisture inside the skin.
Moreover, it also helps prevent chemicals and pathogens from entering the skin. Unfortunately, this skin barrier tends to get weaker and thinner, as we age. And it calls for a barrier repair process. But how to repair skin barrier on face? Keep reading as we outline everything about it in the upcoming section.
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What damages the skin barrier?
Various factors impact the health of our skin barrier. Knowing them in advance can help you prevent and limit the damage. Here are the top reasons that can hamper your skin barrier:
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Extremely cold or hot weather
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A humid or dry environment
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Smoking
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Pollutants, irritants, or allergens
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Detergents or harsh soaps
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Hot showers or baths
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Longer sun exposure
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Injuries or cuts
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Unhygienic skin care
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Unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits
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Over-exfoliating or washing
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Lack of nutrition
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Lack of sleep
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Specific medicines like steroids
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Physical or mental stress
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Family history of damaged skin barrier
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Ageing
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Certain ethnicities are more vulnerable to damaged skin barrier
How to identify a damaged barrier?
Human skin is incredible. It is a mirror of our skin’s and body’s health. Therefore, healthcare experts analyse the skin to determine any underlying health condition. And the same goes for a damaged skin barrier. Here are the top symptoms that indicate a weak or damaged skin barrier.
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Itchiness
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Scaly, dry skin
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Discoloured or rough patches
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Inflamed or sensitive areas
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Acne
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Fungal, viral, or bacterial skin infections
Protect and restore your skin barrier with these tips
This brings us to the last section of the blog! Now that you have understood the reasons and Damaged skin barrier symptoms – let us have a look at the best ways to restore and protect it.
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Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Excessively dry and flaky skin is one of the major causes of damaged skin barrier. Therefore, intense hydration or moisturising is the ultimate way to restore the nutrition balance. The rich hydrating ingredients of a moisturiser can significantly help heal the skin barrier and keep it intact.
It is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to repair the skin barrier. Experts recommend going for the best skin barrier repair products that include glycerine, ceramides, or hyaluronic-rich products.
Use a gentle cleanser
Cleansers are versatile products that clear clogged pores and remove toxins. There is a cleanser for every skin type. For instance – cream-rich for dry skin, foaming-rich for oily skin, etc. Choosing the wrong cleanser can compromise your skin barrier by snatching its natural moisture.
Therefore, it is essential to identify your skin type before buying a cleanser. Experts recommend using gentle cleanser only unless you have very oily skin. Gentle cleansers remove extra oil from the face, keeping your natural oils intact. In case you experience a heavy oil build-up, rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove it. Complete the process by applying an enriching skin barrier repair cream.
Avoid sun
Harsh ultraviolet rays can fasten skin ageing and hamper the skin barrier. Moreover, a damaged skin barrier can lead to dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Unfortunately, it can also make you vulnerable to skin cancer. So, here are some tips to safeguard your skin barrier:
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Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15.
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Avoid stepping out in peak sunshine hours, when the rays are the harshest.
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Cover your skin as much as you can, during hot and humid weather.
Do you use Retinoids?
Experts call Retinoids a natural botox for the skin. This potent vitamin A derivative stimulates collagen production, plumps up wrinkles and fine lines and boosts skin cell turnover. It also helps lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Besides so many benefits, Retinoids can cause excess dryness in the initial days. This dryness can also hamper your skin barrier. So, if you are new to using this component and experiencing dryness, restrict the usage to once a week.
Thankfully, oiler skins can handle the application better than drier ones. Apart from this, seasons also play a vital role in this process.
Eat healthy
Many people ask How to repair skin barrier naturally? We have an answer for it! You see, whatever you eat reflects on your skin. So, if you want to have a healthy and strong skin barrier, start eating healthy. As simple as that! Go for healthy fats and whole foods that will replenish your skin from within.
Apart from this, go for diets rich in antioxidants and fish oils that can help maintain your skin elasticity. Drink plenty of water to look young and fresh throughout the day. Here are some food options that can help you keep your skin barrier intact:
Apart from these natural options, you can also consult your doctor for the best supplements for skin barrier repair. They can help accelerate the barrier repair process.
Quit smoking
Do you smoke often? If yes, it's high time you quit it. Apart from being a hazard to your health, smoking can also drastically damage the skin barrier. It restricts the blood flow to the skin cells and dries the skin.
Besides, it also impacts the elastin and collagen levels in your skin. So, don’t wait further. Meet your doctor and understand the right ways to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
Manage stress
Do you know that stress can throw your skin health out of whack? It can damage your skin barrier and trigger dryness, inflammation, acne flare-ups, etc. So, if you don’t want to land in this situation, take steps to manage your stress.
You can try yoga, meditation, and exercise for it. Apart from this, you can also go for creative distractions like music, art, painting, etc. Trust us, this simple step can significantly help in improving your skin barrier.
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Wrapping up!
So, it is all you should know about skin barrier repair dermatologist you should know about. Maintaining the health and thickness of your skin barrier is essential to safeguard your skin from various issues. The right steps taken at the right time can immensely help.
However, this post was just an introduction! There is a lot to know and explore about this concept. To help you get the best we are coming up with a comprehensive blog on skin barrier repair.
We will cover every minute detail about this process there. So, stay tuned and check out other blogs as well. Till then – keep pampering your skin, because you will never get another!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5608132/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140899/
https://karger.com/spp/article/doi/10.1159/000534136/863006/The-Skin-Barrier-and-Moisturization-Function
https://karger.com/spp/article/32/1/1/295905/Moisturizers-versus-Current-and-Next-Generation
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-020-00426-3
