What is the skin barrier? The skin barrier protects your skin – keeping water in and pollutants out. A damaged skin barrier can lead to sensitised skin.
Ceramides can help bring hydration back to the skin, so it looks and feels nourished and smooth.
The skin barrier — otherwise known as the lipid barrier, or the skin’s natural moisture barrier — helps protect the skin by keeping water in and pollutants out. The skin barrier takes on three essential jobs:
So, how do you know whether your skin barrier is damaged or healthy? If your skin is hydrated, plump, and smooth, you likely have a healthy skin barrier. You’ll also find that your skin tends to be less sensitive when your skin barrier is functioning properly.
You might notice that your skin is more dry, flaky, irritated, or itchy as a result of a compromised skin barrier. You could also experience rashes, or that products you apply leave behind a tingling or burning sensation.
However, when your skin barrier is not functioning properly — i.e. when it’s damaged – your skin will be susceptible to further damage. You may find your skin feels sensitive or is dehydrated, dull, or dry.
Can having a damaged skin barrier lead to more sensitive skin? In a word, yes. Sensitive skin has many causes, like genetics, stress, hormone changes, skin conditions, or environmental stressors. But, frequently, sensitive skin is a direct result of a damaged lipid barrier. It stands to reason, then, that to fix sensitive skin, you need to fix the damaged skin barrier. (An aha moment, right?)
What causes a damaged skin barrier? Just like sensitive skin, a damaged skin barrier can have many causes — like environmental factors (sun exposure, pollution), physical (exfoliating your skin too much or using products that are too harsh), and genetics. One of the most important things to consider, when looking at the skin barrier –is ceramides. Ceramides are one of the key components of the skin's lipid barrier.
- Ceramides, made of sphingosine bound to fatty acids, are well-known for their prominent role in the formation and maintenance of the skin barrier function. Dry, sensitive skin cannot synthesize sufficient ceramides — so one approach to improving the skin barrier is to use a topical moisturizer containing soothing ingredients to calm, moisturise, and hydrate the skin.
What are some ways to help sensitive skin? Drinking more water (aim for 8 glasses a day). Avoiding triggers like allergens, irritants and pollutants. Refraining from over-washing or over-exfoliating the skin. Including skin products with ceramides in your skincare.
if I have sensitive skin, what should skincare routine include? Moisture, moisture, moisture. In general, it's important to do two things: keep your skincare regimen simple, and make sure it includes a rich, super-hydrating moisturiser.
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