The Importance of our Skin Barrier and how without it your skin is more sceptical to sun damage
The skin barrier, also known as the epidermal barrier or stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of the skin. It is composed of lipids, such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. This protective layer is responsible for preventing moisture loss and protecting the skin from external damage.
You have properly heard many times the important role our skin barrier plays in our skin health.
Just to recap the skin barrier function works to keep harmful substances out of the skin while retaining essential moisture. It protects the body from environmental factors such as UV radiation, pollution, and microorganisms. When the skin’s barrier function is compromised, the skin can become more susceptible to infections and other skin conditions.
The signs of a compromised skin barrier
When the skin barrier function is compromised, it can lead to a variety of skin problems, including dryness, flakiness, redness, and irritation. It can also increase the risk of infections and other skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.
Some class the skin barrier as dead skin cells, which often gives the impression they must be removed. However, these ‘dead’ skin cells actually play a vital role in the health and protection of our skin.
Our skin naturally exfoliates in a process called desquamation and as we age, this process does start to slow down and we can help speed up this process with chemical or manual exfoliation. How much exfoliation is needed is what needs to be analysed carefully as too much and the skin barrier then becomes compromised. Exfoliation is a fine balance between encouragement and over exfoliation resulting in inflammation.
If we do inflame our skin barrier the rate in which it helps can vary and until then your skin can be left more exposed to external elements.
Why is the skin barrier health so important in protecting from the sun?
Our skin barrier health is so important especially with increased sun exposure. Please do not mistake this comment as our skin barrier provides protection from the sun, rather it provides a protective layer for the deeper layers of the skin and without this sun exposure will be much more damaging.
SPF, limiting direct exposure especially during the hottest times of the day, wearing protective clothing, hats etc and using other advantages such as antioxidants and DNA repair enzymes are vital components in sun protection.
Our skin barrier is our skins first line of defence and aids in protecting the layers underneath. UV rays are strong enough to affect the proteins that help your skin cells adhere to each other. So once your skin barrier is exposed to these rays, the cells in your skin barrier or stratum corneum become weaker and lose their ability to bond with other cells. Due to this your skin’s structural integrity will been damaged.
Therefore, we know the sun damages our skin barrier. So, if we already have a compromised skin barrier this damage is only going to be more notable and prevalent.
Researchers found a significant negative correlation our skin barrier function and sun sensitivity. With an increase in Trans Epidermal Water Loss (a sign of barrier disjunction) , skin UV sensitivity increased.
Highlighting the importance of less is more when it comes to exfoliation especially during the summer months when sun exposure increases.
Top Tips of maintaining a healthy skin barrier
The skin barrier function is critical for healthy, hydrated skin. Here are some tips to maintain a healthy skin barrier:
- Write a list of exfoliation you do daily. Usually, people do not realise how much exfoliating they are doing until they analysis it. This includes AHA, BHA, Retinoids, any cleansing mitts/scrubs and check all your products for these.
- Choose gentle cleansers: Avoid using harsh soaps and cleansers that can strip away the natural oils from your skin. Look for products that are gentle and pH balanced to moisturize your skin regularly: Keeping your skin hydrated is essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
- Use sunscreen: UV radiation can cause damage to the skin barrier function. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen daily, and reapply it every few hours when outdoors.
- Skip the hot showers: Hot water can strip away the natural oils from your skin. Choose lukewarm water instead for your showers and baths.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Harsh chemicals such as alcohol and fragrances can irritate the skin and damage the skin barrier function.
- Internal health – stay hydrated and healthy internally to support optimal skin health