Protect the Barrier Function of Your Skin!

The selectively permeable skin barrier is the topmost layer of the skin (so-called "dead skin layer"), which has a tremendous role in protecting dehydration and variable environmental changes.

This layer contains cells without nuclei comprised of keratin filaments sank in a lipid milieu of free cholesterol, cholesterol ionic (sulfate cholesterol), ceramide, and other free fatty acids. The role of each of the constituents of this layer is still an open question.

 

One thing is sure! Any modification in the skin barrier's equilibrium may trigger different skin conditions such a dryness, itchiness, or dermatitis. 

 

Preservation of the skin barrier qualities became a necessity these days when we encounter so many pollution sources around us. To maintain a healthy and active skin barrier, you should moisturize your skin daily. There are many essential qualities that a moisturizer has to achieve to protect the skin barrier.

 One of the essential qualities of a moisturizer is to bring moisture and keep it there. For this purpose, every moisturizer has to contain humectants, preferable natural, such as vegetable glycerin. The glycerin can attract water and trigger the elasticity of the skin.

 

Fatty acids, on the other hand, have a significant role in retaining the moisture in. However, a high concentration of fatty acids without any humectant in a skincare formulation increases the skin barrier's sensitivity to different chemicals. For example, sodium lauryl sulfate, a significant ingredient in synthetic cleansers, can easily penetrate the skin barrier in the above conditions, leading to cell damage. 

 

Some fatty acids are more important than others in the strengthening of the skin barrier. For example, linoleic and gamma linoleic acids, induce the biosynthesis of ceramide, a skin barrier constituent that radically improves the barrier function.

 

Another quality for a well-formulated moisturizer is sunscreen protection. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, Vitamin E, or Coenzyme Q have an essential role in UV protection. However, for photoaging damaged skin, these only ingredients are not sufficient to stop or reverse the aging process. Vitamin A is also required to enhance the biosynthesis of the new skin cells. On the other hand, too high concentration of vitamin A can induce wrinkles. 

In the regeneration process, the most upper layer of the cells has to be removed periodically. The peeling procedure can rapidly obtain the removal of the cells. The stronger the peeling method you choose, the longer time is needed for the skin barrier to regenerate. By using a mild peeling process, the removal of the cells is limited to some extent to those cells ready to be shed. In this case, the regeneration naturally occurs. It is not induced or forced; this keeps the upper skin layer protected.

 

 

 

In conclusion:

 Don't rush for a moisturizer, which claims to contain one extraordinary active ingredient! 

 One or even two active ingredients are not enough to provide healthy skin and protective skin barrier. The active ingredients have to be as many as they can maintain all the skin needs for hydration, regeneration, rejuvenation, and protection. The potential active ingredients have to interact with each other in complete synergy to provide the maximum strengths and a high-quality skincare product. Look for quality Organic Herbal Skincare