Our skin is one of our most vital organs. It shields us from the cold, shields us from the elements, and even measures the amount of moisture we are losing through our skin. Specialized line cells and structures within the skin make it possible for the skin to carry out these vital roles.
We’ve all heard that applying skin care products is the key to beautiful skin. To our detriment, we often use chemicals without realising that they pose a threat to our skin as well. It’s not just about pimples or a burn. Often, the source of the injury is internal rather than external. The signs of a compromised skin barrier vary from person to person. What does it look like for you?
In this article we will discuss about how to identify a damaged skin barrier and how to restore it back to a healthy condition.
IN THIS ARTICLE
07. Final Thought
What Is A Skin Barrier?
The skin is made up of a huge and complex network of cells, proteins, ceramides, and lipids, but the skin barrier, also known as the skin’s natural moisture barrier, is undoubtedly the most important part of the skin.
The epidermis, and specifically the stratum corneum (also known as the skin barrier) at its top, serves as the first line of defense for your body. Stratum Corneum is commonly regarded as the brick wall of our whole body. Specifically, it is made up of corneocytes, which are skin cells, and a network of lipids that act like mortar and hold the system together (there are six of them). Part of the lipid bilayer is:
- Cholesterol
- Fatty acids
- Ceramides
As a matter of fact, this barrier is the only thing keeping us alive. Without this, dangerous poisons and pathogens in the environment might easily pass through the skin and spread infection throughout the body.
Think about it: without our skin to keep the water in, we would quickly get dehydrated.
Skin hygiene is essential to maintaining good health and optimum function.
Importance Of Skin Barrier
As was just discussed, it is impossible to overstate the significance of a healthy skin barrier. Improving the skin’s general health and achieving radiant, bouncy skin requires maintaining a strong and healthy barrier. A human life depends on the skin’s ability to keep harmful substances out. It shields the body against allergies, pollutants, systemic toxicity, and pathogenic agents. The skin protects the body from increased loss of fluids and aids in maintaining internal body temperature.
Your acid mantle, the brick wall structure of your skin barrier, is most stable and healthy at a slightly acidic pH (4.5-5.5). In order to keep the skin’s stratum corneum from coming apart at the seams, to keep the skin’s microflora (good bacteria) in check, and to keep the skin’s natural lipids in equilibrium, an acidic pH is essential. Due to its position as the skin’s outermost layer, the skin barrier is responsible for a number of vital processes. According to NakedPoppy’s research scientist, Marisa Plescia, “the job of the epidermis is to protect the skin from any form of external substance, whether it be bacteria or chemicals.” The epidermis’s other job is to block moisture from escaping the skin and keep it from drying out. This is made possible, in part, by the distinct structure of the skin barrier. In the words of Plescia, “the epidermis is formed of cells, most of which are dead skin cells at the top,” with a lipid matrix surrounding these cells. Transepidermal water loss is inhibited by the epidermis’ lipid content. The skin barrier can be thought of as a wall for the sake of visualization.
When the skin barrier is maintained at this ideal pH, it can effectively provide protection against UV radiation, pollution, oxidative damage and pollutants. Skin dryness and impaired barrier function can result from a change in the skin’s pH.
If your skin’s protective barrier is compromised, though, you’ll see signs of dryness, dullness, and dehydration right away. Furthermore, a compromised barrier will cause the development of minuscule fissures and holes in the skin, facilitating the entry of irritants and the evaporation of moisture. Consequences include a variety of skin issues such pimples, hyperpigmentation, eczema, redness, and dry skin. All things considered, it’ll increase skin’s sensitivity.
SIGNS OF DAMAGED SKIN BARRIER
There is a good chance that your skin barrier has been compromised if you are experiencing symptoms like itching, dryness, dullness, and irritation. The strain of it shows through our skin’s surface. The good news is that it’s easy to diagnose, which means it’s also easier to treat. Both endogenous inflammatory mediators and penetrating foreign mediators can activate itch-associated unmyelinated C fibres to elicit the sense of itch. This is because epidermal inflammation and environmental damage can disrupt the skin barrier.
The following skin signs and conditions may be more common when your skin barrier is compromised:
Sign #1 Redness And Rashes
Pimples (which can create scars and hyperpigmentation), redness, and even rashes can manifest on skin that has lost some of its protective function due to a breakdown in the skin’s barrier. Contact dermatitis, rosacea, and other skin illnesses might all have their roots in a skin barrier that has been damaged, as Kitsos says. Pay close attention to how you’re using the product: “Skin pH should be somewhat acidic, between 4.4 and 6.0. Inflammation and acne result when the pH fluctuates too much due to your products. Flaking and redness, according to Absher, indicate an alkaline skin pH.
Sign #2 Dry Skin
Your skin undergoes trans epidermal water loss when your skin barrier is impaired. In other words, the moisture in your skin effectively exits stage left and evaporates. This leaves your skin with indications of dryness. These can include a harsh texture, flakiness or tightness. Dullness is another indicator of a weakened moisture barrier, related to dryness. When the skin gets particularly dry (due to water loss), and areas of flaky skin or even cracking begin to surface, external aggravators can penetrate the barrier and enhance the permeability of foreign substances.
Sign #3 Acne
Believe it or not, pimples can be a sign of a compromised skin barrier. The bacteria that contributes to acne can infiltrate the skin more easily.
Sign #4 Skin Sensitivity
An imbalance of lipids in the skin barrier, creating a skin barrier disturbance, could lead to sensitive skin. This goes hand in hand with flaking and tends to emerge when short-term skin barrier changes are a concern. Dermatologist sayas these symptoms are transitory and will improve when the barrier function returns to normal. The fragility of the skin that develops when the barrier function is disrupted makes the skin very sensitive.
Sign #5 Delay In Recovering After A Wound
A damaged skin barrier can cause even minor injuries to take significantly longer to heal. It takes longer for the skin’s natural wound healing powers to work since the skin has less moisture and weaker regenerative capacities.
Reason For Damaged Skin Barrier
Despite our best efforts, there are several situations in which our skin’s protective barrier is weakened. The skin on our bodies is always under assault. We engage in the wide range of skin habits : going out, applying moisturizer, exfoliating, cleansing, etc. We tend to put many products on our skin in just a day , including sunblock, lotion, and even body wash. Also, we can’t help but expose our skin to the sun and other environmental factors. The skin is severely impacted by both internal and external factors. Age-related structural and physiological alterations in the skin barrier, in addition to comorbidities and polypharmacy, have been linked to an increased incidence of barrier abnormalities among the aged, according to a single study.
Some of the external and internal factors that can affect your skin barrier include:
- too humid or too dry environment
- alkaline detergents and soaps
- psychological distress
- allergens, irritants, and pollutants
- too much sun exposure
- exposure to harsh chemicals
- over-exfoliation or over-washing
- steroids
- genetic factors that may make you more prone to certain skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis
How To Fix Damaged Skin Barrier
Now that we understand how the skin barrier works, we can take better care of it. One thing we should also know is how to take proper care of this very vital portion of our body. Those with itchy, dull, or dry skin are especially at risk. So, if you want to know how to fix damaged skin barrier, follow these tips:
Keep It Simple
Anything that is too much is not good. The easiest method to maintain good skin is to stick to a simple routine.
Your skin’s protective barrier may be compromised if you use a wide variety of products on it every day. It’s a good idea to consult a dermatologist or other skin care expert to find out which products are necessary and will yield the best results.
Take note of your skin’s reaction to the exfoliation technique you employ. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a gentle chemical exfoliator and a soft cloth on persons with sensitive skin and darker skin tones.
Excessive washing can be drying to the skin since it removes the skin’s protective oils. (Your skin will feel squeaky clean and tight after rinsing if you have used enough.) This could compromise the skin’s protective lipid structure.
If you have any questions about using a product on your skin, it’s best to talk to a dermatologist. Over-the-counter skin care products are widely available, but not all of them are created equal. It’s important to maintain a healthy skin barrier, therefore it’s worth it to spend money on cosmetics that contain chemicals that can help.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Overexposure to the sun never has a positive effect. Try to stay away from it as much as possible. Wear a big hat, long, loose-fitting clothing, and liberal amounts of your recommended non-nano, reef-safe SPF if you must spend time in the sun.
Damaging your skin’s protective barrier and hastening the during process are two effects of prolonged exposure to strong UV rays. Additionally, it can lead to age spots, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
To protect yourself from the sun, you should:
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Use ones that are at least SPF 15.
- Protect your skin with clothes especially during hot and humid months. Use long sleeves, pants, and wide-brimmed hats to block UV rays from your skin.
- Avoid the sun during peak times — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — when the sun’s rays are the harshest.
Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize
We can’t stress the need of moisturizing enough. Moisturizers help your skin’s natural barrier retain water. Most are water-based, with chemicals like glycerin and lactic acid that draw water into the skin to help maintain its suppleness and smoothness. Putting on moisturizer when skin is still damp improves absorption. If you want advice on what creams or lotions will work best for your skin, see a dermatologist.
Pay Attention to pH
Your skin’s delicate acid mantle hovers around a pH of 4.7 But the pH of some skin products can range from 3.7 to 8.2.
Researchers recommend cleansing with a product that has a pH between 4.0 and 5.0
Keeping your skin’s pH at a healthy level may help protect you from skin conditions like dermatitis, ichthyosis, acne, and Candida albicans infections. Although not all products list their pH, some do.
Be Gentle
Damage to the skin barrier can result from pulling and tugging at the skin. You need to:
- Do not take long, hot showers or baths.
- Dry off with a towel pats.
- It is recommended to use mild soaps or cleansers.
- Do not rush the shave (cuts or scratches can lead to infection or irritation).
- Avoid scratching with force.
Eat Healthy
It has been shown that eating a diet rich in whole foods and healthy fats will help your skin look its best. Fish oil, antioxidants, and/or fish oil supplements have all been linked to improved skin elasticity and a more youthful appearance. Keep your skin moisturized by drinking plenty of water.
Examples of meals that are good for your skin are:
- Carrots, apricots, and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale
- Tomatoes
- Berries
- Beans, peas, and lentils
- Salmon, mackerel, and other fatty fish
- Nuts
Manage Stress
In spite of its underestimated importance, stress management is crucial to maintaining healthy skin. Causes hormonal imbalance, which in turn can lead to skin issues like acne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the skin barrier on your body repair itself?
Dr. Tomassian explains that, depending on the severity of the damage, a compromised skin barrier can mend itself within two weeks if the user refrains from using any exfoliators (including acids and retinoids) and instead uses moderate, soothing treatments. Keeping up the actions that caused the breached barrier in the first place is not going to lead to any improvements (sry). However, when some time has passed and you’ve adopted a more manageable routine, your skin’s barrier will start to work normally again, protecting your skin from irritants and stressors while also keeping it hydrated and healthy.
What is a good skin barrier?
If your skin barrier is functioning normally, your skin will be toned, smooth, and redness-free.
How long does it take for the skin's barrier to heal?
Restoring its defensive capabilities can take anywhere from a few weeks to six months, depending on the severity of the injury.
Does vitamin C cause barrier damage to the skin?
No! Vitamin C has been shown to improve the skin’s barrier lipid production, which in turn reduces transepidermal water loss and keeps the skin supple, hydrated, and healthy.
Final Thoughts
Damage to the skin’s protective barrier are quite common, and their effects can be noticed in persons of all skin types.
Remember that your skin is the body’s greatest organ and treat it as such. That’s why it’s so critical to look after this hardworking and integral component of your body.
It is still unclear if a skin disruption is the result of a more severe skin condition or only an irritated skin barrier. Because avoiding tissue damage and restoring the skin barrier’s integrity are essentially two sides of the same coin, it is better to treat both problems at once.