Tips and products to protect your skin barrier

The outmost layer of your skin is structured kind of like a brick wall. The “bricks” are fairly tough cells (corneocytes) held together by a lipid membrane. This protects all that lies below. However, this vital barrier can be damaged. External factors such as the UVA and UVB rays of the sun, allergens, pollution, dry air, and harsh soaps and cosmetic products strip the skin of its natural moisture and oil and disrupt its pH balance.

Internally, ageing, psychological stress, smoking and an unhealthy diet can cause damage. Plus, research increasingly suggests that a healthy gut biome is vital for a healthy skin biome – the millions of microorganisms that inhabit your skin and help to maintain it. These skin barrier saviours will help.

Cleansers

Cleansing, toning and moisturising are still the cornerstones of skincare, and the choice has never been wider. For cleansing, to protect your skin barrier look for products with a pH close to that of your skin (from 4.6 to 5.5). Many advise against products filled with fragrance and sulfates. “Fragrance acts as an irritant,” says Durban specialist dermatologist Dr Imraan Dr Jhetam. “Sulfates are only an issue with hair."

Try this: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

“Switching up my skincare to protect my skin barrier begins with my cleansing routine,” says Clicks Beauty Squad member Sheena Deepnarain. “I reach for the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser because it’s formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid which help ensure my skin barrier is not compromised during the dryer, colder seasons.”

Moisturisers

When it comes to a moisturiser, helpful ingredients to watch for include humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which can help attract water to your skin and keep it hydrated; ceramides, to help restore the skin’s fat content and prevent loss of water; and occlusive moisturisers – ones containing the likes of lanolin and petrolatum, that create a physical barrier on top of your skin to help keep it moist and hydrated. “Good-quality moisturisers have a combination of humectants and occlusives – these are called enhanced emollients,” says Dr Jhetam.

Try this: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm

“This moisturiser repairs the skins barrier from dry, cold weather and also gives my skin a beautiful glow,” says Sheena.

Active ingredients

Consider including an antioxidant such as vitamin C serum in your skin routine. “It doesn’t help with hydration and skin barrier repair, but protects against environmental damage,” says Dr Jhetam.

Try this: Catrice Hydro Supercharged Serum

“I layer on the hydrating ingredients and my dry skin drinks up hyaluronic acid during winter, I love Catrice Hydro Supercharged Serum,” says Sheena.

Top-ups

If your skin becomes dry during the course of the day, spritzing a face mist can bring relief. Keep one in your handbag for sneaky spritzing on the go.

Try this: Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

“To keep my skin hydrated throughout the day, I spray on a hydrating face mist like the Clinique Moisture Surge which contains aloe for soothing properties,” says Sheena.

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com