Our Skin Barrier : The barrier layer of our skin does so much for us and is responsible for a healthy complexion. If you want balanced, symptom-free skin, prioritising barrier function should be at the top of your list. Here we explain the skin barriers vital role and how to protect, restore and nourish it for optimum skin health.
Our skin barrier… the unsung hero of our skin that works hard to protect, prevent and nourish our complexions by helping to keep out irritants, pollution and dirt while locking in vital-skin plumping ingredients. It dictates everything - from how fast we age to whether we look rosy and glowing or red and blotchy… simply put, if you have a good barrier, then you have the basis of great skin.
That being said, in recent years the health of skin and function of the barrier has often been overlooked or unintentionally compromised with the excessive use of resurfacing products. It wasn’t so long ago high-strength acids and retinols were reserved only for the derms office, but these days potent products have made their way into our bathrooms and their overuse and misuse is causing more damage than good.
The layering and combining of too many irritating actives onto the skin will compromise the health of the barrier - for instance, combining two exfoliating acids, an acid and a retinol or a retinol and vitamin C in one sitting is enough to irritate and inflame the skin, leaving tiny breaks in the skins barrier. If you continue to break down the barrier like this it can lead to a host of skin issues, think inflamed, dry, sensitive, blemishes, red or sore skin …
If you’re seeing the signs of a depleted skin barrier, it’s time to rebuild that important outer layer and start nourishing your barrier.
Here we show you how.
The remedy needn’t involve ditching your active products – at least, not on a long-term basis. Ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids can be truly transformational, but it’s vital to use them in a way that respects, rather than challenges, your skin. Working them slowly into a consistent routine and taking a more measured, gentle approach will ensure healthy skin and better long term results.
Our skin barrier… the unsung hero of our skin that works hard to protect, prevent and nourish our complexions ....It dictates everything - from how fast we age to whether we look rosy and glowing or red and blotchy… simply put, if you have a good barrier, then you have the basis of great skin.
Learn to spot the signs of inflammation; redness, swelling, pain, excessive peeling - if an active product seems to be too strong for your skin, try not to be tempted to carry on use despite how hyped the formula may be. If you’re reacting to a strong acid like Glycolic, opt for gentler exfoliating acids such as lactic or mandelic; keeping in mind that when it comes to skincare, stronger is not always better.
A formula such as Josh Rosebrook’s Daily Acid Toner (https://www.inesstore.com/products/daily-acid-toner)is a gentle alternative to potent acids that exfoliates with intelligence – nourishing, toning and balancing the skin simultaneously as it goes.
TIP: . Exfoliating twice a week with stronger acids or exfoliating masks is absolutely enough to keep skin soft, polished and healthy.
Adequate hydration is essential even if you’re skin seems to be oily. If your barrier is compromised it’s super important to restore any lost moisture and keep hydration levels up, the more hydrated your skin is the stronger it is.
Feed your skin with nourishment rather than simply dissolving the bad things away. Follow up your serums and acids with balanced barrier-building creams such as Dr Rogers RESTORE Cream or Lotion which are dermatologist designed to deliver intense hydration and restoration for optimum skin health.
TIP; If you’re feeling concerned your skin is damaged or compromised consider the recovery plan from Doctor Rogers. A simple, recovery plan that will return skin to a healthy equilibrium. Discover the RESTORE Reset Skincare Regime HERE
Adequate hydration is essential even if you’re skin seems to be oily. If your barrier is compromised it’s super important to restore any lost moisture and keep hydration levels up, the more hydrated your skin is the stronger it is.
It’s all about making every cell in the body as healthy as possible. A diet of omega-rich foods such as cold-water fish, flaxseed and walnuts, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and adequate H20 can change the skin a matter of weeks as they protect the cell membrane, therefore helping a compromised barrier.
TIP: For an intense dose of daily Omega intake try The Beauty Chef Omega Elixir. (https://www.inesstore.com/products/omega-elixr) - this nourishing formula quenches dry, irritated skin from within with omega 3,6,7 and 9 to smooth and soothe skin from the inside out.