Our skin barrier and why it’s important
When we hear experts talk about “maintaining the skin barrier” what does that truly mean? First we must discuss what our skin’s function is, how to continue to keep it healthy, and what can destroy the skin barrier. We will also dive into what products can help keep your skin barrier strong and hydrated as well as some treatments to get!
What is the skin barrier?
Our skin functions as more than just what we see on the surface - it is actually one of our largest organs! Our skin is designed to protect our bodies from outside influences such as UV radiation, oxidation, chemicals, weather, and pathogens. To simplify the anatomy of our skin, the outermost layer is what we call the stratum corneum and it is composed of corneocytes (flat dead skin cells) and a lipid barrier (fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides) that allows certain substances to pass through.¹ The lipid barrier is hydrophilic and it also keeps our skin at an acidic pH of about 4.5 - 5.5. A great analogy is to imagine the corneocytes as bricks and the lipid membrane as the cement that holds everything together.
Skin is also important for preventing water loss and contains NMFs (Natural Moisturizing Factors) to help protect our hydration/moisture levels. With so many internal and external factors affecting our skin, it is important that we maintain its integrity and keep it at homeostasis. So what does it mean when our skin barrier is “compromised?”
Using a gentle skincare routine that increases hydration, prevents TEWL, and combats irritants will significantly improve the skin’s barrier.
What does “compromised skin” mean?
External factors can alter our skin’s integrity and increase transepidermal water loss, also known as TEWL. In addition, any changes to the lipid barrier can progressively lead to skin dysfunction and overstress.² Some factors that influence these changes are improper skincare practices, over-exfoliation, chronic inflammation, physical/chemical irritants, occupational exposures, and low humidity. Once exposed to these factors for a prolonged amount of time, and without proper care, the skin barrier is now open to external forces.
Other influences that can affect the skin are underlying diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, acne, etc. These can predispose people to an impaired stratum corneum and increased TEWL, further compromising the barrier.²
The way these stressors appear on our skin includes but is not limited to dryness, flaking, loss of elasticity, irritation/itchiness, redness, and dullness. Chronic barrier impairment can also lead to an increased infection susceptibility. It is important to note that it is due to this compromised barrier that people feel “sensitive”, when truly, they are becoming more “sensitized” to external elements. Loss of hydration also increases aging in the skin. For example, smoking causes dehydration and oxidative stress on the body causing rapid aging.
How to protect our skin barrier
Although our skin has the ability to constantly self-repair itself, this alone will not correct the damage done. It is important to focus on creating an environment for the skin to properly achieve its state of homeostasis; this process is also known as corneotherapy.³ Using a gentle skincare routine that increases hydration, prevents TEWL, and combats irritants will significantly improve the skin’s barrier.
Seeing an esthetician who can recommend treatments and products for your skin type and conditions will help guide you to building and maintaining a strong and healthy skin barrier. As stated above, one of the first things we focus on in our treatment room is making sure your hydration levels are met. Some of our favorite products to use for treatments and homecare are Hush Hydrate Gel and Soothe Essence by Hale & Hush. Hush Hydrate Gel contains botanical extracts and antioxidants to help reduce inflammation, environmental damage, and redness. It also helps to moisturize and detox the skin while soothing and healing the skin cells. Soothe Essence contains hyaluronic acid which helps to provide maximum hydration to the skin. Along with Hush Hydrate Gel, it also helps to support the skin’s barrier and reduce irritation. Remember that our skin is a living organ meant to protect ourselves and our internal systems. We should be treating it with nothing but the best!
Hale & Hush Soothe Essence Serum
When sensitive skin’s balance and hydration levels are off, bring it back to life with Soothe Essence Serum. It’s a one-stop shop for everything your skin needs to return to a stronger state, from moisturization, irritation control, and redness reduction to protection against oxidative stress and supporting skin’s barrier function.
BENEFITS:
Fights inflammation, reduces redness, and repairs skin damage.
Gently fortifies cells and supports barrier function.
Soothes and hydrates skin.
Citations:
¹ Bouwstra, J. A., & Ponec, M. (2006). The skin barrier in healthy and diseased State. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes, 1758(12), 2080–2095.
² Rosso, J. D., Zeichner, J., Alexis, A., Cohen, D., & Berson, D. (2016). Understanding the Epidermal Barrier in Healthy and Compromised Skin: Clinically Relevant Information for the Dermatology Practitioner: Proceedings of an Expert Panel Roundtable Meeting. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 9(4 Suppl 1), S2–S8.
³ Jabs, H. U. (2013). Stratum Corneum—From Corneobiochemistry to Corneotherapy. Ästhetische Dermatologie, 1, 14-19.
