Our skin is made up of multiple layers. Each layer plays a role to keep your skin happy and healthy. The outermost layer which is also known as the stratum corneum protects our skin from external aggressors such as dust, pollution, and harsh chemicals. In addition, it also prevents our skin from Transepidermal Water Loss. Transepidermal water loss means the amount of water that escaped from your body. Your skin will look dehydrated, dull, and flaky.
A healthy lipid interface contains fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. With that being said, fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides play a crucial role in maintaining and repairing a healthy skin barrier.
Signs that Your Skin Barrier Damaged
There are many signs to spot when your skin barrier is damaged such as flakiness, redness, and itchiness. It depends on how severe the damage is. If your skin barrier is mildly impaired, it could be hard to spot. You generally only feel your skin is slightly dehydrated and flakiness from time to time. Your makeup will end up cakey no matter how many times you moisturize your skin before putting on foundation.
It is fairly easy to spot when your skin barrier is moderately impaired. Your skin will get sensitized easily. For instance, the products that your skin used to be able to tolerate might cause irritations. Your skin feels hot and itchy almost all the time. Moreover, your skin is oily but dehydrated. Your skin looks oily from the outer layer but all you feel is tight and dehydrated internally.
Common Signs That Your Skin Barrier is Damaged
- dry
- redness
- itchiness
- oily but dehydrated
- sensitivity
- bacterial infections
Centella Asiatica
One of the most widely used plant extracts in the K-beauty industry. You will recognize its name by Cica or Centella Asiatica, which has been widely recognized in folk medicine that helps to treat wounds and burns. So, what makes Centella a powerful ingredient for damaged skin barriers? First of all, Centella contains strong anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that will soothe and reduce inflammation on the skin. A study in 2017 suggested that Centella cream might help treat eczema. It is not surprising as Cica has high anti-inflammatory properties. It soothes irritations and keeps your skin healthy.
Secondly, amino acids in Centella repair and strengthen skin barriers. Amino acids are naturally found in our skin barrier and play an important role to maintain your skin barrier. It boosts skin immunity and makes your skin more resilient. It lowers the risk of getting triggered by external factors and irritates the skin.
Last but not least, Centella contains fatty acid that is crucial to repair skin barriers. Like I mentioned above, fatty acids are essential to maintain a healthy moisture barrier. They prevent transepidermal water loss and antimicrobial. What does it mean? It keeps your damage barrier moisturized and prevents bacterial infections.
With Centella, you will be able to soothe problems like redness, dryness, and sensitized skin easily yet keep your skin moisturized at the same time.
Mugwort
Mugwort is a sage color plant that is commonly used in Korea as a medicine to treat anxiety and regulate the menstrual cycle. Just like vitamin C, mugwort is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants work as a shield to protect your skin from oxidative stress. Free radicals break down collagen and proteins in our skin. They are naturally found in our skin, using an antioxidant product slows down free radical productions. It protects our skin cells and nourishes our skin.
Other than that, mugwort comes with excellent anti-inflammatory properties. When our skin barrier is compromised, our skin is easily triggered by external aggressors. Redness and itchiness are common symptoms found on damaged skin. It is important to incorporate an anti-inflammatory skin care product that will soothe your skin and relieve redness.
Mugwort contains a high level of vitamin E. Vitamin E brings countless benefits to our skin. For example, moisturizing, healing, strengthening skin barrier, and many more. When your skin barrier is impaired, it will not be able to retain moisture properly. Due to water loss, your skin is constantly feeling dry and dull. Vitamin E helps to hold moisture in. Not only that, vitamin E also helps in healing and strengthening the skin barrier. In short, Vitamin E is the perfect solution to rebuild your skin barrier.
Heartleaf Extract
Also commonly known as houttuynia cordata, if you noticed this new ingredient and wonder what it will do for your skin. We are here to give you a heads-up! Heartleaf extract gained popularity because it’s a powerful ingredient that almost all skin types will benefit from it. Let’s break down why heartleaf extract is a great ingredient to use when your skin barrier is damaged.
First of all, heartleaf extract has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can calm your irritated skin. Skin conditions like rashes, redness, itchiness are common symptoms when your skin barrier is damaged. Secondly, heartleaf extract is rich in polysaccharides. It is a humectant that will ward off skin’s dryness and retain water in the skin. This really benefits those who that has an impaired barrier that is unable to trap moisture in their skin.
In addition, heartleaf extract is a potent antioxidant that is high in amino acids and fatty acids. Antioxidants help to defend our skins from the external stressor and slow down free radical production. Fatty acids and amino acids support and strengthen skin barrier and smooth rough textures on the skin.
Source:
Healthline: What to Know About Your Skin Barrier and How to Protect It
Healthline: Cica Cream will be your Next Favorite Skin Care Product
Skinlibrary: What is Houttuynia Cordata?
