The skin barrier is the protective system that protects our body and skin from harmful toxins, aggressive stressors, pollutants, and allergens. It also protects the body from losing moisture and becoming dehydrated.
Skin is our body’s largest organ and a vital part of our defense system. Skin barrier, which is a complex arrangement of different cells and materials that form a tight barrier that is selectively permeable, meaning it keeps the bads out and the good in.
In this article, we will discuss what is a skin barrier, how to strengthen skin barrier, the key ingredients to use in skincare, and product recommendations. So, read the article until the very end to learn how to get healthy and glowing skin.
What is Skin Barrier?
What is the skin barrier? The answer is simple: it is a system of cells and a matrix.
The topmost layer of the skin is called the Stratum Corneum. This layer is composed of tough skin cells aligned as bricks. The matrix that fills the spaces between these cell bricks is called Mortar and is composed of lipids, cholesterol, fatty acids, ceramides, and proteins. This compact system is selectively permeable and allows only valid substances into the body.
Another essential component of the skin barrier is Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF). These natural moisturisers are called Humectants and act as water magnets, trapping moisture in the skin cells. Some of the Natural Moisturising Factors are,
- Free amino acids
- Urea
- Lactic acid
- Sodium PCA
Why Skin Barrier Repair Is Essential for Healthy Skin
Who is not a fan of Korean glass skin? Let’s be honest, we all love that plump, supple, and glowing skin. What’s the secret of that glass skin? Hydration and moisture. Yes, you heard it right. Hydration and moisture help to improve the skin barrier that gives the ultimate glow.
It is very important to know how to repair a skin barrier. Otherwise, not only does your skin lose moisture and become dry, but this can also lead to more allergies, diseases, and infections. A damaged skin barrier can also lead to dryness, redness, and irritation. If the condition persists, it can also result in rosacea and acne. Skin barrier repair is essential for healthy skin.
So, you may ask how to repair the skin barrier. But an even more important question is what a damaged skin barrier is. How can you know that you have a damaged skin barrier and need to repair it?
Signs of a Healthy Skin Barrier vs. a Damaged One
|
Characteristics |
Healthy Skin Barrier |
Damaged Skin Barrier |
|
Texture |
Smooth |
Uneven texture with bumps |
|
Hydration |
Well hydrated, soft, supple |
Dry and flaky |
|
Irritation |
Cannot be easily irritated |
Irritation patches with itching may be seen |
|
Inflammation |
No inflammation is present |
Red, inflamed skin is common |
|
Glow |
Light is evenly reflected, hence giving a healthy glow |
Lack of moisture and damaged skin does not reflect light, hence no glow is seen |
|
Sensitivity |
Sensitivity is reduced |
Highly sensitive |
|
Oiliness |
Less oil production due to ample moisture in the skin |
Increased oil production due to a lack of moisture in the skin |
|
Breakouts |
Less prone to closed comedones and acne breakouts |
Increased breakouts and acne |
Common Causes of Skin Barrier Damage
In order to know how to improve the skin barrier, we must understand its causes. There can be several different causes of skin barrier damage. External trauma or any aggressor can disrupt the skin barrier. Some of the causes of skin barrier damage are discussed below:
Extreme Weather
Extreme hot or cold temperatures can disrupt the skin barrier.
Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals in soaps, detergents, and skincare products can damage the skin barrier. Harsh chemicals can even burn the skin. So, you should be very careful when selecting products for the skin.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure is another common cause of damaged skin barrier. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can not only cause heat rashes, but it can also damage the skin barrier.
Over Exfoliation
Both chemical and physical exfoliation are great ways to get rid of dead skin cells, but over-exfoliation can not only dehydrate the skin, but it can also damage the skin barrier.
Skin Conditions
Underlying skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis can contribute to disruption of the skin barrier.
Ageing
Ageing affects the cellular turnover and production of collagen. This can result in a vulnerable skin barrier, which can be easily damaged.
Best Ingredients for Skin Barrier Repair
To repair skin barrier damage, you need to heal the skin or let it heal by using soothing, moisturizing, calming, and hydrating ingredients. Here are some skin barrier repair skincare ingredients:
Ceramides
Ceramides are Lipids that form part of the natural skin barrier. They perform skin barrier protection by filling spaces between the skin’s brick cells.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Niacinamide is another wonderful ingredient that helps to strengthen the skin barrier by promoting lipid production in the skin. It also reduces inflammation and redness.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is an excellent humectant. Hyaluronic acid provides skin barrier protection by attracting and trapping water molecules in the skin, leaving bouncy, supple, and well-hydrated skin.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are naturally present in the skin barrier. Linoleic acid is an example of a fatty acid that promotes skin barrier protection.
Oats Beta Glucan
This ingredient is derived from oats. It is very helpful in reducing inflammation, hydrating the skin, and replenishing the damaged skin barrier.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Panthenol is a calming ingredient. It reduces inflammation and irritation and helps in repairing the damaged skin barrier.
Glycerin
A staple in our mothers and grandmothers’ barrier repair skincare, glycerin is an ingredient that deeply nourishes the skin and hydrates it from within.
Centella Asiatica (cica)
Centella is an ingredient gaining popularity in Korean Skincare. It is known to calm the skin and repair the damaged skin barrier by reducing inflammation.
How Our Formula Helps Rebuild the Skin Barrier
Do you have no idea how to protect the skin barrier? If your protective skin barrier is damaged, don’t worry; we have your back. We at Soteri Skin have formulated two amazing products that not only help repair skin but also moisturize it and add that healthy glow.
Our experts have worked tirelessly to create a patented acid complex that balances your skin’s pH to optimize skin functions and repair the damaged skin barrier. This formula is dermatologically tested and recommended.
Our pH/LOCK® Eczema Relief Face Body Eczema Cream is steroid-free; it controls the skin's pH at an optimal level of 4.7 for 12 hours. Unbelievable! We know. This cream moisturizes the skin, repairs the damaged skin barrier, and helps with eczema flare-ups. This cream not only provides immediate relief, but it also improves your skin texture and health in just 4 weeks. It contains ingredients like,
- Ph/LOCK Complex: It repairs the skin mantle and corrects the pH of the skin.
- Colloidal Oatmeal: known to reduce irritation, itching, and inflammation
- Niacinamide: it hydrates and strengthens the skin
- Ceramides: lipid-like molecules that strengthen the barrier and hydrate deeply. You can check the complete ingredient list here.
The 2-Step Eczema Relief Starter Kit is another star product of Soteri Skin. It also controls your skin's pH, inhibits pathogen growth, and promotes a healthy skin microbiome. This fast-absorbing formula is dermatologically tested and recommended.
This 2-step relief kit has two products. One is a moisturising cream with reduced strength, to be used as step 1 for 15 days, and then the full-strength cream can be used. This kit is known to soothe irritated skin, restore the damaged barrier, and control eczema flare-ups. It has,
- pH LOCK Complex our patented ingredient known to repair the skin mantle and regain balance
- Monolaurin a lipid that fights bacteria
- Black tea extracts soothe inflammation and protect against harmful bacteria.
- Colloidal Oatmeal
- Niacinamide
- Ceramides complex
- The complete ingredient list and details can be seen here.
Step-by-Step Routine to Strengthen Your Skin Barrier
Let me tell you how to build a skin barrier with a simple skin care routine. This routine will strengthen your skin barrier for naturally healthy, glowing, and youthful skin. Do not get overwhelmed by new trends and products that keep emerging on your reel feed.
Cleanser
Use a non-foaming and gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin.
Serum
Use a good hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, or Centella.
Moisturizer
A good hydrating moisturizer with soothing ingredients that repair the damaged skin barrier, like fatty acids, Ceramides, peptides, etc, should be used.
Sunscreen
Another crucial step in a basic skincare routine is Sunscreen. Use a good mineral sunscreen with physical filters that does not irritate the skin.
Mistakes to Avoid When Repairing Your Skin Barrier
Many of us damage our skin barrier by making small mistakes that we don’t even notice. Using harsh chemicals, over-exfoliating, using too many products, and living a bad lifestyle can all lead to a damaged skin barrier. Here are some major mistakes we should avoid during skin barrier repair.
Harsh Chemicals
Avoid using harsh chemical-based soaps, detergents, cleansers, scrubs, and serums.
Over Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a skincare step that should be done once or twice a week. It removes dead skin cells. However, overdoing it can disrupt the skin's barrier.
Too many Products
Adding too many serums, essences, toners, moisturizers, night creams, etc., in your skincare regime can harm your skin barrier.
Strong Actives
When repairing your skin barrier, avoid using potent actives like retinols, strong vitamin C, and exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid, mandelic acid, etc.
Sunscreen and Moisturizer
Do not skip these two steps. UV rays damage the lipids in your skin, hence impacting the skin barrier; therefore, using a good and effective sunscreen every day is very important.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, healthy skin is dependent on a healthy skin barrier. This barrier is essential for your skin and is vital to your body’s defense system. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is not very difficult if you know the basics.
A damaged skin barrier can cause inflammation, redness, sensitivity, and even eczema flare-ups. Repairing a damaged skin barrier is very crucial. If your skin barrier is damaged and you have skin concerns like pigmentation, spots, etc., you should repair the barrier first and then start treatment of your skin concern.
To repair the protective skin barrier, you must use products with soothing and hydrating ingredients like Niacinamide, Centella, hyaluronic acid, peptides, Ceramides, and fatty acids. These ingredients not only hydrate the skin but also help repair the damaged barrier.
It is essential to read the labels when you buy any skincare product. Do not buy products with fragrances or harsh chemicals. These might worsen the condition.
Our pH/LOCK® Eczema Relief Face Body Eczema Cream and 2-Step Eczema Relief Starter Kit are great options if you want to repair your damaged skin barrier. These will provide an immediate solution and unlock a pH-balanced, healthy, glowing, and youthful skin in just a few weeks.
FAQs:
What is the fastest way to repair a skin barrier?
The fastest way to repair a skin barrier is to Stop Irritating and Start Soothing your skin. You can do these by simply avoiding exfoliating and strong active ingredients like retinoids and acids, and start using hydrating and soothing products with Ceramides, Centella, Niacinamide, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids, etc.
How do you know if a skin barrier is damaged?
You can know your skin barrier is damaged if you have persistent redness, itching, sensitivity, dryness, or flaky skin.
What should not be used when repairing skin barriers?
When repairing skin barriers, you should avoid harsh chemicals, foaming soaps and cleansers, and strong actives like retinoids and acids.
Why is my skin barrier not healing?
Your skin barrier might not be healing due to the use of harsh chemicals in skincare products, exfoliation, stress, poor diet and sun exposure.
