The Importance of a Healthy & Happy Skin Barrier
If you’ve had a facial treatment with me at Longevity Wellness, you know my number one recommendation: prioritize a healthy and happy skin barrier! We can’t achieve success in any treatments or improve your skin without first ensuring your barrier is in good shape. I’m here to help you better understand your skin and how to keep it looking its best!
What is the skin barrier?
I like to use the popular analogy of the brick-and-mortar like structure to explain the skin barrier. The individual bricks symbolize skin cells, while the mortar represents lipids and proteins that hold them together. This combination creates a sturdy and secure barrier that protects your skin. Without this strong structure, your skin is compromised and can be more easily damaged.
Your skin barrier is located in the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis), therefore it is your skin’s first line of defense. It is a protective shield against external factors such as pollutants, bacteria, harmful UV rays, while keeping in the good stuff such as water and oils. A healthy skin barrier acts as a “watertight seal” helping to retain moisture and keeps the skin smooth and soft.
What happens if my skin barrier is damaged?
When your skin barrier is compromised or damaged, it can result in a range of issues. Your skin may become dry, dull, and feel irritated. An impaired barrier struggles to retain essential substances like ceramides and fatty acids, which help keep skin cells tight and intact. This loss of retention leads to moisture depletion, making the skin increasingly vulnerable to external aggressors. A damaged skin barrier can contribute to breakouts, signs of aging, and hyperpigmentation.
What are signs of a damaged/impaired skin barrier?
Sensitive, inflamed, red, or irritated skin
Skin feels tight, dry, flaky, and itchy
Your skin is reactive to most skincare products
You are having sudden breakouts or your skin seems to be more irritated than normal
What can damage the skin barrier?
Moisture Loss - when your skin becomes dehydrated or dry, it is more likely to become reactive or sensitive. Change in weather, harsh products or your skin type can all be a cause of moisture loss.
Overdoing Skincare - Over-exfoliating or over-cleansing can strip the barrier of its natural oils, leaving your skin vulnerable. Using too many skincare products (especially those with active ingredients or exfoliants) can weaken your barrier.
Jumping Into Skincare Treatments - Receiving a skincare treatment that isn’t right for your skin can cause a damaged barrier immediately so it is important to take a gradual approach to treatments and start slow.
Why should I take a gradual approach to facial treatments?
Skin Adaptation and Building Tolerance - When incorporating new treatments into your routine, a gradual approach is key. Your skin needs time to adapt to new products, therefore minimizing the risk of irritations. This is especially important with active ingredients, chemical peels, or exfoliants. This slow introduction allows your skin to build a tolerance to stronger ingredients, allowing you to reap the benefits without overwhelming your skin.
Monitoring Skin Reactions - By starting with gentler products and gradually increasing, we can better monitor how your skin reacts and adjust as necessary. This method allows us to avoid adverse effects that in turn damage your barrier.
Customized Routines - Everyone’s skin is unique and may react differently. Taking the time to observe how your skin responds to skincare or treatment ensures us that we are taking a healthy approach to meeting your goals. We can’t get that glowing beautiful skin by damaging the barrier along the way!
How can I heal my barrier?
The great news is that skin barriers can be healed! I always say to start with the basics and take a look at your current skincare products/routine. If you feel like you’ve got a damaged barrier and want to learn more about your skin, I would suggest booking a simple facial and consult with me and we can dive into what’s right for your skin.