Learn how to protect the skin barrier for healthy, glowing skin with these 5 tips below.
Do you struggle with acne? A common misconception amongst people with acne is that it's caused by poor hygiene and you need to be cleaner. Yet people with acne often spend a lot of money on skincare with active ingredients, acids, retinol, physical exfoliants, or foaming cleaners and are overwashing their skin. If your face is red, patchy or sensitive after doing your skincare, or if you often skip out on SPF before heading into the sun, then your skin barrier could be compromised.
Your skin is made up of layers that each perform an important function for protecting the body. Your Stratum Corneum, or outermost layer of the skin, is your skin barrier. The Stratum Corneum's job is to protect your skin and body from the external environment.
I'm a naturopathic nutritionist specialising in acne and I'm here to tell you 5 ways that you can support your skin barrier to achieve clearer, healthier skin:
Be mindful of over-exfoliating with both physical and chemical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants include shaving, rough cloths, and scrubs with salt, sugar, or beads. They can cause microtears in the skin. Chemical exfoliants include retinol, BHAs, and other acids. These ingredients can be very beneficial for acne skin when used correctly.
Wear SPF every day even in the winter and if you're inside. Water loss in the skin barrier can be caused by UV exposure. If you're already over-exfoliating, you don't want to show bare skin to the powerful sunlight.
Be mindful of your skin's PH and the PH of the skincare you are using. It is estimated that the 'natural' skin surface PH is 4.7 and below 5. (PMID: 18489300)
Stop overwashing with harsh cleansers and soaps and remove ingredients that are stripping the skin of its natural oils. These can include alcohol, fragrances and DIY ingredients like lemon and baking soda.
Restore the skin with lipids to help keep moisture within the skin. Lipids are fatty acids and ceramides which help seal water into the skin to avoid water loss.
We can also be protecting our skin barrier from the inside out by consuming antioxidant-rich foods, heathy fats, and keeping our cells hydrated.
Melissa <3
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