Why your skin barrier is the key to a healthy glow
Your skin barrier not only protects you from environmental stressors and inflammation, it is also vital to achieving the kind of complexion you’ve always wanted.
Your skin has many layers; the skin barrier, which is the outermost layer (called the stratum corneum), is essentially your skin’s protective shield.
“The skin barrier is like having a fence around your home, stopping unwanted visitors coming inside your house,” Monash Health consultant dermatologist Dr Niyati Sharma says.
In this instance, those “unwanted visitors” include harmful toxins, bacteria and allergens. The “fence”, or your skin barrier, is made from the skin’s own version of bricks and cement — the cells are your skin’s “bricks”, while lipids like ceramides make up the “cement”.
Why is the skin barrier important?
It acts as both a physical and an immune barrier for the skin.
“If there’s something nasty on one side of the barrier, it will signal an internal process that will put the alarm bells on and allow the immune system to remove the potential invader, whether it’s a virus or pathogenic bacteria,” Dr Sharma says.
“If the barrier is broken, it sends signals to your cells to start repairing that area.”
Dr Sharma says it also determines the outward appearance of the skin.
“A healthy skin barrier means your skin looks perfect — there’s no itchiness, dryness or flakiness, redness or sores,” he says.
Cosmetic nurse and nutritionist Madeline Calfas adds that along with keeping out pathogens and environmental toxins, the skin barrier keeps moisture in and helps to regulate body temperature.
- Stop scratching: How to fix itchy skin
How to protect the skin barrier
When it comes to taking care of your skin, more isn’t always better so keep your skincare routine relatively simple.
“Don’t use anything with fragrance; also, don’t rub but dab your skin dry with a towel; and put a good amount of moisturiser on straight after showering,” Dr Sharma advises.
“If you’re not sure what moisturiser to use, go for a cream, not a lotion — lotion has a lot more water content and less oil content, while cream has equal amounts of water and oil (and is more effective at moisturising dry skin).”
Avoid hot showers, don’t use soap – opt for soap-free washes instead — and always wear sunscreen before you head outdoors.
Madeline says a good diet can also help look after your skin barrier.
“Having a diet that is low in refined sugars, predominantly made up of non-processed foods and plenty of fresh veggies, and high in antioxidants (also known as free radical scavengers) will make all the difference to your skin,” she says.
- Improve your skin: What foods to eat (and not eat)
Written by Tania Gomez.
