How to Protect the Skin Barrier - 5 Tips That Work

Summers are here with full force and different people must be having different things on their to-do list. While some people choose to travel, others use the vacation to work on themselves and their goals. Someone who is staying indoors has to take care of their skin as much as someone who is going out.

If you're one of those people who have decided to turn this summer vacation into a skin-care vacation then this is just the right blog.

With this blog today, we're going to take a deep dive into skincare and learn about skin protection. The blog begins by getting to the root and explaining about the skin barrier which is primarily responsible for protecting skin.

Furthermore, we're going to know what's the function of this barrier and how to repair the skin barrier naturally. So, without further ado, let's begin the blog by knowing about skin barriers.

The outermost layer of the skin consists of the natural skin barrier. Also known by the name of stratum corneum, the lower epidermal layer barrier is made up of dead skin cells, fatty acids like cholesterol, and ceramides.

Furthermore, the top epidermal layer on the surface level is called the “sebum barrier” or “acid mantle" consisting of sebum and sweat.

The skin barrier plays an important role in keeping skin healthy and hydrated. Another more important skin barrier function is the protection of the skin against damage. This damage may be caused by bacteria, viruses, microorganisms, and harmful UV rays along with foreign substances like soot, dust, and allergens present in the environment due to pollution.

However, these functions naturally get disturbed when the skin barrier gets damaged. The reasons behind this damage may either be harsh environmental factors or certain everyday habits.

Are you also practicing harmful habits and unknowingly destroying the skin's natural barrier? Let's know about what is causing damage to the skin barrier.

As discussed above, multiple factors can cause damage to the skin's natural barrier. The harmful environmental factors include:

o Sun Exposure

o Cold weather and harsh winds

o Pollution

o Smoke and Smog

o Environmental toxins

o Chlorine induced environment

Well, there are some lifestyle habits that cause skin barrier damage as well, such as:

o Taking stress

o Not getting enough sleep

o Aggressively exfoliating the skin

o Usage of loofas, brushes, and scrubs

o Usage of harsh soaps and cleansers

Due to all the above-mentioned factors, the skin barrier gets damaged leading to several problems like dryness, irritation, and itchiness causing rough patches to appear on the skin along with damaged skin barrier acne. Furthermore, it makes the skin flaky and sensitive leading to either redness or discoloration.

If you're facing one of those problems then do not worry because we've brought some simple ways to protect the skin barrier that are mentioned in the section below.

Knowing all these, we now understand how essential a healthy skin barrier is for healthy skin and how its damage can have significant consequences on the skin. There are simple ways to prevent this damage so let's go through them one by one.

Harmful UV sun rays form one of the most common causes of skin damage. In order to prevent that one must always cover the skin from direct sun exposure.

But since even that is not possible, one can protect their skin barrier by using sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher. Moreover, prevent going in the sun altogether if not necessary.

Water plays a significant role in maintaining skin health. Hydrated skin means a healthy plumpy appearance. It prevents itchiness and redness caused by dry skin.

Furthermore, water provides important nutrients and helps in a better circulation of blood which is not only good for the skin barrier but also contributes to overall health as well.

Not cleansing correctly is the top reason how you yourself are destroying the skin barrier. Skin's natural PH level is between 4.5 and 5.5 so one must use mild cleansers and soaps of matching PH levels.

Moreover, one should avoid using either too hot or too cold water to wash the face as it is harmful to the skin and may cause redness.

Moisturizing skin may seem like a lot of work to do every day but it does wonders for the skin barrier health.

Not only do moisturizers keep the skin hydrated but the presence of chemicals such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, plant oils, lipids, and ceramide actually heal the skin barrier damage and replenish it with essential nutrients.

Women have now started opting for phytoceramides cream and other topical applications to protect and replenish their skin barrier.

Phytoceramides are actually the plant-derived version of ceramides and have been claimed to have amazing skin-soothing benefits. However, before you jump on the bandwagon and start using a ceramide or phytoceramide cream, it's best to compare the Phytoceramides side effects and benefits.

Getting enough sleep benefits the body in multiple ways and helping in fixing damaged skin is one of them. It allows the brain to relax and promote the distribution of essential nutrients to every organ including the skin.

Furthermore, having a better sleep schedule also prevents the skin from getting dry and wrinkly.

Along with these, other ways such as quitting smoking, making your skincare routine simpler, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly also help in protecting the skin barrier. All of these are doable, the most convenient steps one can take to get healthy and happy skin.

Everybody wants to have healthy skin. In order to do that, one needs to go to the root of the problem and know what is causing damage to the skin barrier. Being the outermost layer of the skin, the skin barrier forms a protective epidermal layer that acts as a prime defense against harmful toxins and harsh environmental factors.

If the skin is in bad condition then it is probably because the skin barrier is damaged and there are ways to protect this epidermal barrier.

After reading the blog, we're now aware of all the aspects of the skin barrier along with the ways to protect it.

These include basic steps such as minimizing sun exposure, using sunscreen, getting enough sleep, using serums with ceramides and skin-building nutrients, being gentle with the skin, and many more. Use these steps and your skin will be as gold as you want it to be.