As the weather heats up and your mind turns to ways to keep your skin protected, SPF may be the first product that comes to mind. Yes, wearing SPF is essential for protecting your skin against damaging UV rays, but there’s something else you need to know when it comes to ultimate skin protection…
A healthy barrier function is your best defense against any kind of environmental damage!
Don’t worry if you have no idea what I’m talking about. That’s what this article is for! By the end, you will be far more familiar with the importance of a healthy barrier function for healthy skin all year round.
So let’s dive in!
What is the skin barrier function?
To become more in tune with the way your skin works, you need to understand the skin’s microbiome and its impact on the way your skin barrier functions. The skin barrier is made up of layers, including the microbiome and the acid mantle.
A community of microorganisms, existing together in a particular habitat is referred to as a microbiome. The skin’s microbiome is a community of bacteria (living microbes) with many important functions, but I will get to that in just a moment. The microbiome is a crucial component of our skin barrier, along with the acid mantle and the lipid barrier. The microbiome, however, is the topmost layer and our skin’s first line of defense against invading, potentially harmful bacteria.
The acid mantle is the next layer, also known as the hydro-lipid film. It is thin and slightly acidic, offering protection by creating an environment where harmful microbes cannot survive. This layer also helps to promote the growth of healthy microflora. The acid mantle is your skin’s natural film. You know how your skin feels perfectly clean after cleansing, and then a short while later you feel that soft film again? That is your acid mantle that has rebuilt itself once it has returned to its healthy pH. If you’ve ever washed your face with a harsh cleanser and stripped your skin of natural oils, then you may have experienced a tight feeling in your skin, indicative of a disrupted acid mantle. This is due to using ingredients that are too harsh that strip your skin of natural oils.
The skin barrier performs many important functions, primarily preventing water loss through the pore by trapping water molecules in the skin. When your barrier function is strong and working optimally, your skin will remain perfectly balanced, clear, and hydrated with no flare-ups or irritation.
Let’s talk about the importance of your skin’s pH levels
Keeping your skin’s pH at a healthy level is essential for a healthy functioning barrier function. The pH scale is a measure of acidity and alkalinity and ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral (neither acidic nor alkaline). This is measured on a scale that ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being right in between and, therefore, neutral (neither acidic nor alkaline). Anything above 7 is alkaline and anything below 7 is acidic.
The average person’s pH is actually slightly acidic; a healthy pH usually hovers around 4.7 to 5.5 on the pH scale.
You can usually tell if your pH is off depending on the state of your skin. Too acidic and you run a higher risk for inflammatory conditions like acne. If it’s too alkaline your skin may appear red, dry, and flakey. Your skin will always tell you what’s going on!
A few factors that contribute to the disruption of your skin barrier
- Using harsh synthetic products that cause over-exfoliation and strip the skin of natural oils
- Eating foods that increase inflammation in the body and, therefore, affect the skin externally too
- Environmental factors such as harsh winds or UV rays. Adequate protection is always needed
- Stress can impact the barrier function by releasing cortisol and increasing inflammation
How to protect and strengthen your skin barrier
So by now, you know how important it is to ensure your pH levels are perfectly balanced at all times. Healthy pH levels, along with nutrients that feed the good bacteria in your skin is what you need to keep your barrier function strong.
- Exfoliate with skincare products that won’t strip your skin of natural oils, yet will effectively help to slough off dead skin cells. This makes way for new skin growth and ensures optimal absorption of your follow-up products. Our Botnia Essential Enzymes will soothe inflammation while gentle enzymes exfoliate to remove skin build-up. Try our Rhonda Allison Bamboo Scrub for silky smooth skin and a streak-free self-tanner application, suitable even for sensitive skin types.
- Protect your skin with high-quality mineral sunscreen for optimal protection. I also recommend including powerful antioxidants into your routine. Fill up on fresh fruits and veggies and treat your skin to a blend of topical Vitamin C and peptides.
- Hydrate your skin to keep your skin barrier strong and healthy. Drink at least two liters of water a day and use products that will keep your skin moisturized and protected topically. If your skin is normal to dry you can’t go wrong with our Blueberry Milk Moisturizer by Sorella, brimming with water-loving hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. For very dry, reactive skin try Hale and Hush Vital Lipid Lotion, designed to repair and defend the skin barrier.
- We never want to burn but when it happens be sure that you have our best healing friends; Iso Cell Recovery Solution by Le Mieux and NeoGenesis Recovery Solution Spray.
- Protect your skin from the inside out by boosting your diet with antioxidants. I recommend 8 oz of organic pomegranate juice per day as well as taking this supplement to boost your internal sun protection.
These simple yet effective tips will help repair your skin barrier and ensure you are summer-ready. Your skin will be healthy and protected!
