Skincare can feel like a minefield at the best of times, even if your only intention is to stave off those minuscule, inevitable signs of aging a bit longer. The myriad approaches you could take to improve your ‘glow’ may result in various levels of success. Still, there could also be other things going on – not to mention some key misunderstandings about your skin to bear in mind.
After all, your skin is an organ, and, self-evidently, the largest you possess. It needs care and attention on account of its exposure to the outside world but is also performing an essential function by virtue of its exposure. The skin barrier is your main defense against the dangers of the natural world, and it could be damaged – and by your own actions, too.
What is the Skin Barrier?
But first: what do we mean by the ‘skin barrier’? Put simply, the skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, designed as your first line of defense from the world’s rigors – namely pollutants, micro-organisms, and harmful UV radiation. The skin barrier is primarily composed of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis (itself the outermost of three core skin layers). Not only does it keep unwanted radiation and materials out of your viscera, but it also helps keep essential moisture within your body.
Causes and Signs of a Compromised Skin Barrier
Now we know what our skin barrier is, what does it mean to have a compromised skin barrier? Naturally, cuts and scrapes are breaks in your epidermis and can cause issues with respect to infection in their own right – but your skin barrier could be compromised on a more widespread level, presenting as skin dryness, redness, irritation, and increased sensitivity to physical stimulation.
Such skin barrier compromises can be caused by a number of common factors, from basic skincare overzealousness to wider lifestyle choices. Over-exfoliation and harsh skincare products are common causes, as are environmental stressors like UV exposure, and even lifestyle choices like drinking alcohol.
Steps to Repair and Strengthen Your Skin Barrier
Luckily, your skin is an easy organ to manage – and more than capable of looking after itself when given the right working conditions. If you are experiencing a ‘broken’ skin barrier, a handful of simple steps can lead you to a clearer, more comfortable future. For starters, try simplifying your skincare routines.
In short, ditch your bathroom full of products of indeterminate origin, and start again with light exfoliants and gentle cleansers – removing the risk of chemical and abrasive risks to your skin. Incorporating dermatologist-approved skincare products rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid would be an excellent move for skin health longevity.
Preventative Measures to Maintain a Healthy Skin Barrier
It isn’t just about skin barrier repair, though; you also need to consider maintaining your skin for the long term, to improve your resilience and prevent the resurgence of the aforementioned skin barrier damage symptoms. Again, simple and even semi-passive endeavors can make the best preventative measures, including the regular use of sunscreen, and general mindfulness of environmental exposures.
