Should I exfoliate if my skin barrier is damaged? But with time and a simpler routine, your skin barrier will begin to function like normal again, fending off irritants and potential stressors to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. If you keep up the same routine that led to a damaged barrier in the first place, you’re not going to see results (sry). $25 at Amazon $25 at Ulta Beauty Credit: Courtesy Image Does your skin barrier heal itself?Ī damaged skin barrier can usually heal itself within two weeks, depending on the damage, but only if you stop all exfoliators (even acids and retinoids) and switch to gentle, soothing products instead, says Dr. “When your skin barrier doesn’t have an effective balance of fats, the moisture and hydration that makes your skin look supple, full, and plump will not be maintained,” says Dr. Obviously, some of these factors are out of your control (see: aging, pollution, desert heat, and freezing winters), but generally, the most severe damage will come from using too-harsh products, like gritty exfoliators, intense acids, and drying sulfates. Stern, “so our skin’s ability to hold onto moisture eventually becomes compromised too." Even your age can affect your barrier: “Ceramide levels decrease significantly as we age," says Dr. Sadly, your skin barrier is way more fragile than a brick wall, and can easily be “destroyed” by environmental factors (sun exposure, pollution, smoking, extreme weather variations), physical damage (over- exfoliating your face or using harsh/irritating products), certain medical conditions (like diabetes), and genetics. And each piece is vital in keeping the ecosystem of your face happy. “The cells, aka corneocytes, are the bricks in your skin barrier, while the mortar is made of various lipids, like cholesterol and ceramides,” she explains. The stratum corneum (skin barrier) is filled with a whole system of cells and lipids that form a barrier to keep your skin healthy, says Dr. Technically, your skin barrier is called the stratum corneum, which is the most superficial layer of your epidermis-think: the top bun on your hamburger. Basically, the entire purpose of your skin barrier is to protect your skin from environmental stressors, irritation, and inflammation, while holding onto all the good stuff (like moisture, moisture, and more moisture). The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin that serves as a protective shield for your face. $16 at La Roche-Posay Skincare Credit: Courtesy Image What is your skin barrier?
0 kommentar(er)
