What Is Your Skin Barrier?

And is it healthy?

You might be saying to yourself, what is my skin barrier and what does it do for me? In simple terms, your skin barrier is a watertight seal that keeps the outermost layers of your skin and cells smoothly together. If this outer layer of skin gets damaged, it can look and feel dry, rough, irritated and dull.

“When the skin barrier is intact, you can maintain adequate skin hydration, antioxidant benefits, and immune protection from the environment. Think of your outer skin layer like a brick wall, where the skin cells are the bricks and natural lipids are the mortar,” says Dr. Zeichner a NY based dermatologist.

Here are some causes for skin barrier damage...

1. Alkaline detergents or soaps.

2. Over-washing or over-exfoliating your skin.

3. Too much sun exposure.

4. Psychological distress. "Studies show that both acute and chronic stress can exert negative effects on overall skin wellness, as well as exacerbate a number of skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, and hair loss". Harvard Health Medical School, Neera Nathan, MD, MSHS, Contributor

How to start repairing your damaged skin barrier!

Dutch philosopher, Desiderius Erasmus from the 1500's said, 'prevention is better than the cure'. With a name like that, he must be right!

1. Repairing ingredients such as fatty acids, cholesterol, ceramides and hyaluronic acid are essential! As always, Dr. Lucy has you covered...literally!

2. Stay away from scrubs, they are just too abrasive and can harm your skin's protective barrier. A gentle, leave on/wash off, fruit enzyme peel is a perfect option.

3. Lukewarm water is the best, not too cold, not too hot. I think Goldilocks would agree. ;)

4. A mild, natural, crème cleanser like Dr. Lucy's Gentle Crème Cleanser will help to keep your skin barrier healthy and balanced.

5. Use a natural sunscreen that is rich in antioxidants and has an SPF of 30 or greater.

"The skin barrier is important to human life. Physically, it protects from external threats such as infectious agents, chemicals, systemic toxicity and allergens. Internally, the skin helps to maintain homeostasis and protects from enhanced loss of water from the body". -National Library of Medicine, Indian J Res. Jan 2018

This is the perfect time of year to up your game with taking care of your skin's barrier!

With Love and Blessings!
Rebecca