Skincare is a very hot topic all over social media, and many women and men want to find out how to take care of their skin barrier. Naturally, you would want to protect your largest organ and at 15 percent of your total body weight, your skin needs all the attention you can give it.

The proper skincare routine can help you keep your skin in tip-top shape if you address the matter early. Read on to find out more about your skin barrier health and how to take care of it.

What Is Your Skin Barrier?

Your skin is made out of different layers, each with its own purpose. The exterior layer is referred to as the skin barrier and we could say it resembles a brick wall. In this context, the skin cells (corneocytes) are the bricks held together by the lipid membrane mortar (ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids).

This “brick wall” literally acts as the line of defense for your internal organs protecting them from external damage, including inflammation, toxins, pollution, infections, and more. It also plays a role in water and toxin elimination, along with temperature regulation.

If your skin barrier loses its strength, then it is no longer able to protect you as efficiently as it did before. This can easily happen if the pH of your skin is disrupted, damaged, or gets dry and it’s the main reason why proper care is necessary.

Signs of a Compromised Skin Barrier Health

Your skin barrier can keep various external factors at a distance, protecting your internal organs. However, certain factors such as overwashing your skin, improper use of products, over exfoliation, sun exposure, aging, pollution, or psychological stress can compromise it. Here are the signs of a damaged skin barrier:

• Acne breakouts
• Skin itchiness
• Dry or flaky skin
• Infections
• Rough patches
• Tenderness and sensitivity
• Inflammation and irritation
• Stinging when applying skincare

To put it simply, whenever you are experiencing some kind of skin issue, there is a good chance that your skin barrier may be damaged. While your skin cells renew themselves every few days, you also need to apply the proper skincare to help promote growth.

How to Restore and Protect Your Skin Barrier Health

Remember that your skin is already sensitive enough as it is, so you do not want to trigger it further. For this reason, you should apply the right products and make sure you’re gentle while doing so. Follow these tips to help protect your skin:

1. Cleanse Correctly

Cleansing is a very important part of your skincare, so you need to do it right. Use warm water (not scalding), as hot water can strip away your natural oils. Soap has the same effect, which is why you should use a soap-free cleanser. Ideally, you should be using a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin’s natural oils. 

2. Apply a Nurturing Serum

Serums feature active ingredients and are great for improving the texture of your skin. For instance, our Hyaluronic Peptide Serum is an oil free, highly concentrated hyaluronic acid gel that’s formulated to enhance skin moisture and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

3. Finish With an Intensive Repair Cream

Now, the last step in your skincare routine should be to apply an intensive repair cream. Dr. Ostad’s Nia-C+ cream features a hydration complex with five percent Niacinamide, fatty acids, and ceramides. This can help hydrate your sensitive skin while promoting regeneration.

The Bottom Line

Taking care of your skin barrier health is very important if you want to obtain that glowing look. This is why you need to make sure you use the right skincare and apply it correctly. Call Dr. Ostad for an appointment, and he will set up the proper skincare routine for you.

For more information about your skin barrier health and how you can protect it, you can contact Dr. Ariel Ostad, MD, at 212-517-7900. He would be more than happy to help you out. Alternatively, you can fill out the online contact form, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.