What is the Skin Barrier?
- Daréna Palyvoda
- Feb 20, 2023
- 2 min read
Understanding the basics of how our skin works is essential to keeping your own mind in cosmetics. Built in a simliar structure to a brick wall, the skin barrier is the outermost layer of our skin, containing compound nutrients such as ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. These are often referred to as the skin’s “natural moisturising factors”, as their function is to keep the layers of the skin nourished for a healthy skin barrier. It is often depicted as a brick wall made of keratin and lipids. This wall keeps us safe from pathogens, irritants, and toxins from the outside, therefore keeping us alive. Additionally, it keeps the water in our bodies from evaporating.
In Skincare, we often hear of a “damaged skin barrier”. Some symptoms include dry scaly skin, acne, itchiness, discolouration and general sensitivity and inflammation. These are often caused by humid or dry environments, pollutants and irritants as well as exposure to harsh treatments (overwashing, over-exfoliation and harsh chemicals). Additionally, psychological distress can cause weakness. However, the leading cause is sun damage, which can be minimised by avoiding the sun, wearing and reapplying sunscreen. It is safe to say that a perfect skin barrier cannot be achieved. Yet there are ways to make sure we have the ensure the best skin barrier we can. Some of these include;
Simplifying your skincare regimen
Avoiding over-exfoliation and using gentler products
Protecting yourself from the sun
Using products including ceramides or humectants like hyaluronic acid
Generally avoiding as many irritations as possible and focusing on sustaining the moisture and hydration of your skin is essential.
Note: Some illnesses like diabetes and incontinence can interfere with your pH (potential hydrogen), which shows how acidic/alkaline something (in this case, our skin) is. Our skin is slightly acidic, being around a 4.7 on a scale from 1-14, whereas products can range from 3.7 to 8.4. The acid mantle in our skin protects it from bacteria and viruses. If you find that your acid mantle could have been weakened, slightly lower-pH products may help assist in the protection of the skin and avoid skin conditions, including dermatitis and acne.