If you’ve ever had to deal with a home repair – a faulty foundation, an infestation of literally anything, even a broken AC unit in the middle of a hot and humid summer – you understand how even one damaged system seems to make everything else fall apart. One problem leads to, or exposes, another. This is the same thing that happens when your skin barrier is damaged.
The skin barrier is your body’s first line of defense against external aggressors (think pollution, bacteria, and other irritants). It’s also the key to glowing, healthy skin. But when your skin barrier is weakened, a domino effect of problems can begin, including acne, redness, dehydration, dark spots, and sensitive skin.
So, when you notice that your skin is ringing the alarm for some TLC, it may be your skin barrier that’s calling out for attention.
What is Your Skin Barrier?
Your skin is made up of multiple layers, but the most important three are: the epidermis (top), the dermis (middle), and the hypodermis (bottom). The skin barrier is the outermost layer of the epidermis.
To keep with the house analogy, think of your skin barrier as the bricks and mortar of your body. The bricks are your skin cells, while the mortar are the lipids that hold those cells together. Skin cells are largely made of keratin (you may be familiar with this protein from your hair care products) and Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs), or amino acids that keep your skin hydrated. The mortar is the glue, or in the case of skin, lipids made up of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. These elements work together to keep the skin moisturized by preventing water and electrolytes from escaping your body, while also keeping out environmental aggressors.
A strong skin barrier is imperative for overall skin health, helping to prevent dryness, regulating water balance, and warding off environmental aggressors. When functioning properly, your skin is healthy, smooth, plump, moisturized, and glowing. Yes, please!