Your skin is your largest organ, making up around one-seventh—or nearly 15%—of your total body weight. It is what separates your delicate insides from the harsh outside world, making it one of the most important organs in your body. Skin is composed of a vast, complex network of various cells, proteins, ceramides, and lipids—but arguably, the most vital component of all is the skin barrier.
My skin was experiencing some breakouts, so my answer was to use a heavy chemical exfoliant twice a day to dry out those suckers. I felt the familiar burn as the ingredients stung not just my pimples, but my entire face. Yes!! I thought, kill those bacteria and any kind of sebum – be gone!
However, my excitement was short-lived. Not long after I had way more breakouts and a red rash on my chin. So, what did I learn in that process? The burning feeling was a sign I was damaging my skin barrier, the shield that determines how my skin looks and feels.
Now – not all was lost, a compromised skin barrier can be repaired if you understand how to heal it, which DMK-trained Skin Technicians specialise in.
WHAT DESTROYS THE SKIN BARRIER?
Unfortunately, your skin barrier is not as robust as a cement wall. It can be damaged by environmental factors such as sun exposure, pollution, smoking, extreme weather variations, etc. Physical factors that a person can inflict, including over-exfoliation or using harsh/irritating products, and finally certain medical conditions like diabetes or even genetics and ageing. This list of damaging components goes on, so make sure you get a Skin Consultation to assess your barrier.
Obviously, some of these factors are out of your control, but generally, the most severe damage will come from using too-harsh products, like gritty exfoliators, intense acids, and drying sulphates. We know that your skin barrier must have an effective balance of moisture and hydration to make your skin look full, plump, and well-maintained.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SKIN BARRIER IS DAMAGED?
If your skin barrier is damaged, your skin might be dry, flaky, sensitive, irritated, tingly, burning, and/or itchy. You may also be dealing with rashes and inflammation since a damaged skin barrier increases your risk of infections and dermatitis. Alternatively, you could be experiencing flare-ups of rosacea, eczema, and keratosis pilaris, and for some more discomfort, you may experience multiple skin issues all at once!
HOW DO I MAKE IT BETTER?
Firstly, get to a professional so you do not waste time and money on using the wrong products. With so many symptoms that can be caused by a damaged skin barrier, you do not want to risk making things worse. In general, most cases require product formulas that improve dryness and strengthen the skin barrier with active ingredients such as ceramides or glycerine. Most medical-grade products strip the skin, much like an antibiotic stripping the gut of bacteria. So, therefore, it is important we replace the lost moisture as this is your body’s first line of defence against external threats. Depending on the level of damage, never expect a ‘quick fix.’ Although the steps are easy to repair a compromised skin barrier, it can take between 2 weeks to several months to reverse the damage.
Look at a holistic approach to your skincare by ensuring you are also looking after your digestive health. Try an Essential Fatty Acid supplement such as DMK’s EFA Ultra and drink at least 2L of water a day.
For more information contact Aura Skin.
