Getting To Know Your Skin: What Is The Skin Barrier?
Our skin is made up of 3 main layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Our obsession with ageing can cause us to become preoccupied with the collagen-rich dermal layer, however, the skin barrier also plays a vital role in maintaining our youth.
What Is The Skin Barrier?
The skin barrier, or stratum corneum, is the outermost part of the epidermis. Under a microscope it takes on the appearance of bricks and mortar, with skin cells playing the part of the bricks and ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids binding them together.
The skin barrier has three main functions:
- It protects your body from outside stressors such as pollution, UV rays, toxins and infections.
- It regulates water loss from the inside out, helping to lock in moisture and hydrate the skin.
- It transports vital nutrients to the skin.
If your stratum corneum is functioning efficiently, your skin appears hydrated, bright and healthy. If, however, it is not working as it should, the skin starts to show signs of damage. Increased trans-epidermal water loss can lead to dehydration, which can cause the skin to appear dull and lifeless, accelerating signs of premature ageing. If the skin is unable to fend off free radicals, physical changes such as discolouration and skin laxity may occur.
What Can Damage The Skin Barrier?
The skin barrier is vulnerable to many outside influences. The most common and harmful factors include UV radiation, smoking, excessively hot baths and showers, and over-exfoliation. High stress levels and a lack of sleep may also play a role in disrupting the skin barrier’s efficiency.
How To Protect Your Skin Barrier
There are many sources of skin barrier impairment, however, the vast majority are within your control. By making certain lifestyle adjustments, you are able to prevent damage from occurring.
Use The Correct SPF For Your Skin
We are not only vulnerable to the sun’s rays during the hot summer months. UV levels can be high without the associated temperature spike, so getting into the habit of applying sun cream daily is a must. Choose the appropriate SPF for your skin for adequate protection.
Improve Your Sleep Routine
When we sleep, the blood flow to the skin increases, which helps to support skin barrier function. Turning off electronics at least half an hour before bed and sticking to a sleep schedule both help to ensure you get enough sleep.
Quit Smoking
The chemicals in cigarette smoke restrict the blood vessels, inhibiting healing within the skin. As a result, smokers may experience an increase in rashes, rosacea and visible scarring compared with non-smokers. Deciding to quit is easy; sticking to your decision is not. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about finding the support you need to stop smoking for good.
Invest In Your Skincare
The skincare market can be a minefield. Clever marketing can make it challenging to know for sure which products offer genuine results. Obagi® is a skincare brand unlike any other, with all of their products grounded in science. A dedicated research team commits their time to finding the most efficacious ingredients at optimal concentrations, to improve skin health to the fullest extent possible.
Whether you wish to maintain a healthy skin barrier, or you want to reverse the damage caused by its inefficiency, Obagi® have a range of products that can help. Richard Peppiatt, the founder of RP Aesthetics, is the lead Obagi® ambassador for the North East. His unrivalled knowledge of the brand’s products allows him to assess a client’s skin and recommend an effective course of action.
Book Your Consultation At RP Aesthetics
The future of your skin is in your hands. By taking a few simple steps, you could improve the function of your skin barrier and help to delay the first signs of ageing. To book a consultation with Richard Peppiatt, call 0191 281 8775 or complete the online contact form.
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