When you go outside to boutiques, malls, or drugstores, you may notice that the shelves are packed with the best skin care products. Some aim to exfoliate, while others plump or moisturize the skin.
However, all of these beauty products act on the outer layer of your body, known as the skin barrier.
But what is a skin barrier, its purpose, and how to identify the cause of damage?
With this article, we’ll help you answer all of these questions while also letting you explore the steps to be taken to protect & restore this vital defensive layer.
What is a Skin Barrier?
The outer layer of the skin, which protects the inner cells & organs of the body, is known as the skin barrier. This layer is made up of cells filled with keratin & natural moisturizers.
The primary function of the skin barrier is to keep the skin, surrounding cells & tissues healthy. But for many reasons, it may sometimes break down and become spoiled.
How do you Identify if the Skin Barrier is Damaged?
If somehow you feel that your skin has lost the natural glow that it used to have, your skin barrier is damaged. It’s simple to identify if the skin barrier is damaged as it’s not in the same condition as in the past.
Here are some of the possible symptoms of a damaged skin barrier:
- Skin is dry, rough & scaly
- The patches on the skin have become discolored
- Skin is breaking out with white and blackheads
- Lackluster and reddened skin
- Fungal, bacteria, or viral skin infections
- Inflamed skin
- Skin is more sensitive than it was earlier
Possible Causes of Skin Barrier Damage
Well, many common causes lead to the destruction of the skin barrier, and it’s the combination of several issues and not just a single problem. Even everyday things can damage the skin barrier, which most people are unaware of.
The damage to the skin barrier could be due to the following reasons:
- Lack of proper quality sleep
- An unhealthy diet with junk food
- Weather, including UV radiation, dusty winds, etc.
- Using harsh facial exfoliant concoctions
- Improper cleaners that have stripped the skin of its natural, protective oils
- Ongoing stress
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
But now the question is how to treat and prevent the skin barrier.
Here’s what you need to do.
Prevent Skin Barrier Damage – 5 Tips
Start Eating Healthy Diet
Ensure you eat a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables rich in healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and whole grains, to prevent skin barrier damage.
Stay Hydrated Always
To keep the skin adequately hydrated from the inside, you must also consume enough water. If your diet is deficient in essential nutrients, a multivitamin and mineral supplement can serve as a replacement for food and safeguard your skin barrier. However, since the body can’t always correctly utilize synthetic vitamins and minerals, it is advised to receive the essential nutrients that your skin requires to remain healthy and functional through diet.
Practice a Good Skin Care Routine
Daily adherence to a good skincare routine is crucial since it can shield your skin’s protective layer from harm.
So, what should a good skincare routine include?
The foremost thing is that you must clean your face before anything else to remove dust. That’s why many individuals wash their faces twice a day. Washing twice a day, however, could put those with dry skin at risk of damaging their skin because the cleanser might be too drying for their already dry skin.
You must use the right cleanser for your skin type if dry because otherwise, it could weaken your skin’s barrier function. It is advised to select a suitable moisturizing cleanser and then use a different moisturizer afterward.
On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you must utilize products designed specifically for that skin type. Oily skin care products will be “non-comedogenic,” which means they won’t clog the skin. If you don’t use non-comedogenic products for your oily skin, your pores could get clogged and make your skin even greasy. It would be best to prevent clogged pores because they lead to increased acne. Fortunately, many treatments available right now can help you reduce some excess oil on your skin without worsening it.
If your skin is in good condition, you must use the right products to keep it. You can use MD beauty products suitable for all skin types. If you don’t utilize the right products, your skin could get excessively oily or dry, which are two issues that can cause your skin barrier to break down.
Another crucial step is setting up a routine that includes providing your skin with the nutrients it needs directly and cleaning it.
Manage your Stress
The entire body, especially the skin, can suffer significantly from stress. Although stress is an inevitable part of life, you can avoid its adverse effects on your body and skin by working to develop good stress management strategies. You can reduce stress and safeguard your skin barrier by exercising, practicing meditation, and engaging in fun hobbies, to name a few.
Wrapping Up
It’s crucial to take care of the outermost layer of your skin to prevent damage. Other than natural methods, consider using the best skin care products that help prevent skin environmental damage.
You can use MD beauty products that help keep your skin always protected against damages caused by environmental factors. The products help rejuvenate and improve the quality of the skin.
Moreover, the best thing is that the products are suitable for all kinds of skin, so you can use them even if you need more clarification about your skin type.