Skin barrier: what is its role?

Our skin is subject to various fluctuations and understanding how it works is not always easy. To keep its suppleness and radiance , we accumulate care products without knowing the origins of its condition. Have you ever found it dull , dry and dehydrated ? What if one of the main causes was the state of your skin barrier ?

What is the skin barrier?

The skin barrier is a waterproof protection whose main function is to protect the skin and keep it hydrated. It refers to the outer layer of the epidermis. We will come back to its role in more detail in this article.

To better understand how it works, let's go over some basic concepts.

The skin is made up of three main layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis.

The epidermis is the outer layer of your skin. It is visible to the naked eye and we can touch it. It is a living part in permanent renewal. The life cycle of each cell lasts about twenty days. Its role is to protect the body from external aggressions.

The dermis is the second layer of the skin and is found below the epidermis. It is four times thicker than the latter. It is composed of 80% water and is very rich in elastin fiber and collagen. Its main function is to nourish it, as well as to protect and repair damaged tissues.

The hypodermis is located below the dermis. It is a tissue made up of fat and blood vessels. It is flexible and deformable and will serve as an interface between the skin and the organs it covers. Its role is to control the temperature of the body and to reduce the pressures to which the skin is subjected.

Why is the role of the skin barrier so important?

When the skin barrier is damaged, your skin becomes dull and dry due to loss of nutrients. It becomes fragile and no longer manages to protect itself from external aggressions. Skin imperfections such as spots and signs of aging are difficult to fade.

While a healthy skin barrier allows for soft, supple and plump skin. It is resistant to bacteria and polluting particles.

If your skin is showing signs of a damaged skin barrier, we suggest implementing a daily routine to strengthen it.

How to take care of your skin barrier?

• Golden rule 1: Use lukewarm water and not water that is too hot or too cold to avoid damaging the skin;

• Golden rule 2: Avoid soaps likely to attack the epidermis. Prefer gentle cleansers. The Cleacnatyl cleansing gel cleanses the skin of all its impurities thanks to a gentle, purifying formulation rich in active ingredients;

• Golden rule 3: Exfoliate your skin with a gentle, non-abrasive scrub. Exfoclear exfoliating gel gently exfoliates the skin while respecting the skin barrier. You can use it once or twice a week;

• Golden rule 4: Moisturize the skin daily with treatments adapted to your skin type;

• Golden rule 5: Apply sunscreen or a cream that contains an SPF greater than 30 before leaving the house, regardless of the season. The HRB - 3 anti-dark spot day care reduces hyperpigmentation spots and protects the skin from sun filters;

• Golden rule n° 6: it is important to have a healthy lifestyle. Stress, smoking, a diet high in saturated fat, and lack of sleep can damage the skin barrier.

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How to restore a damaged skin barrier?

Choose products that have moisturizing properties. The ingredients to favor in the choice of your care must be:

• Niacinamide: This ingredient is one of the three forms that vitamin B takes. It strengthens the skin barrier, and moisturizes the skin.

• Ceramides: these are lipids naturally present in the skin. They enter into 50% of the composition of water. Their presence in care products strengthens the skin barrier and protects it from external aggressions.

• Peptides: these are small proteins. Their role is to transmit messages to the cells. They are there to heal wounds. In cosmetics, they are used to soothe the skin, stimulate collagen, moisturize and repair the skin.

• Glycerin: it is a fatty substance naturally present in the skin. This moisturizing active ingredient has the ability to attract and retain water. Its presence in cosmetic products helps to form a protective barrier on the skin.

• Aloe vera: it no longer needs to be presented as its virtues are acclaimed by beautystas! Used on the skin, this plant contains moisturizing, healing and softening properties.

• Hyaluronic acid: this humectant is naturally present in the body. However, with age, its amount decreases. Its use plumps up and hydrates the skin deeply. It is able to hold 1000 times its weight in water.

To learn more about the benefits of niacinamide, read this article .

You are finally armed to regain healthy and radiant skin!

On the same theme, we suggest you read: 10 signs to recognize dehydrated skin .