It’s everybody’s dream to have soft and smooth skin but achieving it may come with some obstacles. To actually have skin that is as smooth as a baby’s bottom, you would have to take really good care of your skin barrier.
You might be wondering, “what is a skin barrier?” Well, the skin barrier refers to the outermost layer of the epidermis. This is the layer that would actually assist in protecting your skin from components that would cause damage to your skin. Besides, your skin barrier also locks in moisture so that your skin does not get too dry.
If you have a damaged skin barrier it would lead to your skin developing inflammation, irritation, and acne. Normally your skin should feel soft and smooth. However, if you have already developed a damaged skin barrier it would look dull while the texture of your skin appears rough and dry.
So, now that you have understood what a skin barrier is, it is time to know what causes it to actually get damaged. Continue reading to know how you can protect your skin barrier.
Over exfoliation
There are two types of exfoliation, which are physical and chemical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation is when you need to rub or scrub the product to exfoliate while a chemical exfoliation is usually a peel. There is also the option of using both types of exfoliation. Try switching between both gentle scrubs and mild chemical exfoliants. Try starting slow with exfoliation if you have not done it before. Moreover, research the ingredients in your exfoliators to know which would work best with your skin type.
Exfoliation is basically the process of shedding off dead skin so that it can make way for revitalized skin cells that are beautiful and healthy. When you exfoliate too much you might damage your skin. Especially if you are using products or brushes with sharp edges.
This is because they would cause micro-tears in the skin. When micro-tears occur it allows moisture to leave your skin. Besides, it would also result in products irritating the skin, leaving a stinging sensation. Over exfoliation causes you to develop a damaged moisture barrier. Moreover, exfoliating your skin too much could also cause an interruption to your barrier as it causes your skin to produce more oil.
Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet rays from the sun can be harmful to one’s skin. The damage of the skin barrier is caused by UVB rays that project out of the sun. Moreover, the sun also produces UVA rays which would damage the dermis also known as the thickest layer of the skin. You should avoid going out in the middle of the day under the hot sun and do not let children below the age of one be exposed to direct sunlight. To protect your skin from being overexposed to sunlight, ensure that you use sunscreen every time before you leave the house. It not only protects your skin from sunburns but reduces other damages caused by the sun such as discoloration, dark spots, sagging skin, and wrinkles.
Smoking
Moving on, as you know cigarettes contain a lot of ingredients that are harmful to one’s body. If you are a smoker you are at risk of going through lipid peroxidation which causes your skin cells to be damaged. This is due to the fact that the smoke that comes out from cigarettes contains many oxidants and it includes free radicals.
Besides, smoking also has the ability to cause harm to the immune system and it will also cause you to develop skin inflammation. Another issue that stems from smoking is ending up with clogged pores. Based on the reasons stated, you should try to reduce smoking and wash your face as frequently as possible after you smoke. This is so that you will be able to restore the effects that smoking has on your skin barrier.
Harsh Face Cleanser
Next, you should pay very close attention to the ingredients in your cleanser, some cleansers have the tendency of removing natural oils from your skin and this would sabotage your skin barrier. A cleanser is important in your daily routine as it helps remove makeup, dirt, oil and dead skin cells along with any other type of pollutant.
Besides, if you are using the wrong cleanser your skin may appear dry, flaky and even tighter. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should look for a new cleanser. It is best to know what your skin is sensitive to and pick a cleanser that is best suited for your skin type.
Also, the right pH value for facial cleanser should be 5.5-6. Try staying away from cleansers that have fragrance and/or essential oil-induced in them. Facial cleansers have the tendency to disrupt the acid mantle which eventually causes the enzymes that function your skin barrier to stop working. So, you should try to avoid overusing facial cleansers for the benefit of your skin.
If you are unsure of how to choose a facial cleanser to consider talking to an expert or even a dermatologist especially if your skin is prone to get damaged easily. Having your skin barrier gets compromised due to a harsh facial cleanser is a nightmare for any person. A facial cleanser should work to clean your skin and not have it damaged.
Water Temperature
Next on the list of things that compromise your skin barrier, is water temperature. You should use lukewarm water to protect your skin. Hot water has the ability to dry out your skin while water that is too cold is just not good for the skin. Another way to protect your skin from being exposed to too much hot water is to keep baths and showers short. The ideal amount of time per bath or shower should be ten minutes.
Your skin barrier would be damaged due to derma water loss and barrier dysfunction. This occurs when water on the surface of your skin is evaporated causing moisture to be pulled out from the deeper layers of your skin. Even sweating too much could lead to the damage of your skin barrier.
An additional fact is that the pH value of your skin varies depending on the area. For example, the areas in which there is the skin on skin contact such as your armpit are more alkaline. These are the areas that actually require soap as compared to the other areas of your body.
Aging
Lastly, age is also one of the causes of a damaged skin barrier. The younger you are the less damaged your skin barrier is. You should know that ceramide is an important component in your skin barrier and aging causes your skin not to have enough of it.
As you get older, you should use moisturizer as it will start the process of your skin barrier being repaired. Moisturizing your skin is the best way to repair derma water loss and keeps your skin hydrated. The best time to use a moisturizer is when it’s still moist as it would absorb the product into your skin faster.
Do not be afraid if you have acne or eczema, moisturizers would not make it worse. In fact, using a moisturizer is the best way to treat these skin problems and do not worry as it would not lead to breakouts. However, if you want clarification and advice on which moisturizers you should use feel free to speak to a dermatologist or skincare professional.
