The top layer of your skin is referred to as the skin barrier, which is also occasionally referred to as the moisture barrier. It serves as a barrier between you and your external surroundings. It shields your body from allergens and bacteria while also keeping your skin looking and feeling nourished.
Because of this, it’s crucial to maintain a hydrated and well-protected skin barrier. Your skin barrier might have been compromised if your skin starts to feel dry, irritated, itchy, or inflamed. The skin barrier’s primary function is to keep water in your skin, which is essential for both radiant, dewy skin and general skin health.
How Can I Identify If My Skin Barrier Is Damaged?
It can be difficult to identify at times, and many of us initially dismiss our skin as just being “dry” or “prone to acne.” In actuality, this can be repairable barrier damage. Breakouts and allergies get worse when your skin’s protective barrier is disrupted. The most visible indicators of a compromised skin barrier are the following:
- Dryness
- Redness
- Sensitivity
- Itch or flaking
- Dull appearance
- Hyperpigmentation
- Skin infections or acne breakouts
Acne Flare-Ups
Acne-causing bacteria might enter the skin more quickly. Moreover, benzoyl peroxide and other typical acne-treating ingredients can dry out the face, causing additional skin barrier damage and starting a vicious cycle. Acne has incorrectly been associated with bad hygiene. In an effort to remove the pimples, people often end up excessively washing their faces. That is not right!
Redness & Inflammation
Cracks in the skin barrier allow allergens and irritants to pass through, resulting in an inflammatory reaction.
Sensitive Skin & Allergies
Although sensitive skin is commonly inherited, environmental factors can aggravate it. You can get sensitised to an ingredient that hasn’t previously caused you difficulties. This is due to the proteins in the ingredients acting as allergens if they pass your broken barrier.
Dullness or Dryness
As trans-epidermal water losses increase, your skin becomes dry, tight, scaly, and/or flaky.
Slathering A Good Amount Of SPF Is Guaranteed To Protect Your Skin’s Barrier
Wearing a daily SPF is one of the simplest ways to protect your skin’s barrier. But it should also contain antioxidants, much like the rest of your skincare, so that it not only protects your skin from the sun’s damaging rays, but also from other environmental factors.
Skipping sunscreen or going overboard with actives might disrupt your skin’s barrier, also leading to other skin problems. External factors can severely damage our skin if it is not covered and sealed with moisturiser and sunscreen. Sunburned skin can be unpleasant for days until the skin barrier is restored.
Take your sunscreen game to the next level!
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