Skin barrier repair. A popular buzz word that we may use without really understanding what it means. We’ve spent years, sloughing off skin cells, instead of nourishing and rebuilding our skin barrier which is the key to that coveted, glowing skin.
Active ingredients such as azelaic acid, niacinamide, retinaldehyde and tranexamic acid are being taken off the shelf, in favour of natural, gentle, skin barrier reformative products.
So, if you’re searching for #Skintrends2023 you should be searching for products that improve your Skin barrier health.
Is the Skin Barrier?
You’re not alone. Search terms for Skin Barrier rose astronomically in 2023 and are set to rise again in 2024.
The skin barrier is what keeps good things, like water and minerals, in and bad things, pollutants and irritants, out.
Your skin is made up of three core layers, the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Each of these layers has its own sublayers.
The outermost part of the epidermis is called the Stratum Corneum. This is held together by cholesterol, ceramides and fatty acids and are the skin’s natural moisturising barrier as they keep the deeper layers soft and hydrated.
On the very surface of the Stratum Corneum, is the acid mantle. This is a very fine, vital film, which is slightly acidic, hence the name. It is your skin’s first point of protection against harmful bacteria, viruses and irritants. Damage to the Skin barrier also causes damage to the acid mantle which can alter the PH and therefore hinder it’s protective ability.
What happens if my skin barrier is damaged?
Your skin barrier is the primary determinant of how healthy and even your skin looks. A strong skin barrier, can retain water efficiently, keeping your skin hydrated, smooth and elastic. A strong skin barrier will also help fend off environmental aggressors, like pollution and other irritants, and be less prone to skin concerns like sensitivity and irritation.
If your skin barrier isn’t strong, your skin will be vulnerable to damage. It’ll be more prone to dehydration, or trans-epidermal water loss, resulting in a dull, dry appearance. You’ll also be less able to fend off damaging aggressors, like free radicals. Free radicals can result in physical changes such as discoloration, laxity, and premature wrinkles. Experts estimate that environmental influences are responsible for up to 97% of visible skin ageing!
What causes a damaged skin barrier?
Internal and external stressors can impact the skin barrier. Things like stress and not getting enough sleep as well as UV light (not wearing enough sunscreen), drinking, smoking and pollutants. There are also things that we do such as physical exfoliation or potent chemical products that can damage this integral part of the skin.
Scientists and Dermatologists are constantly researching new products and techniques to keep our skin healthy and sometimes we can get bogged down in the trends instead of keeping to what we know best. Tik Tok trends for Skin Cycling and Skin Slugging are all trendy words for keeping your skin barrier intact. Skin Cycling came about because people started to realise that using daily retinol and other potent chemicals is damaging our skin more than improving it. But who has time to remember which day of their skin cycle they are on?
How do I repair a damaged Skin Barrier?
After reading this article you may be frantically searching for Skin Barrier repair products or wondering if your skin will ever be healthy again. And what about a replacement for all your retinols, niacinamides and serums that you’ve come to swear by?
Our Recovery & Repair Gel is your key to repairing your skin barrier and keeping it healthy. It is a daily use lightweight gel suitable for all skin types. It contains all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your skin needs to keep the skin barrier strong, making it an effective daily treatment for dry skin, eczema, inflammation, rosacea, acne, anti-ageing and many more.
What is Red Algae and how can it help me?
The Red Algae Recovery & Repair gel contains the bio-active compound, Astaxanthin. This super ingredient is highly coveted in the skincare world because the benefits are well-known but efficient extraction has been difficult. Using an innovative scientific technology, we have managed to efficiently extract Astaxanthin in its most potent form to date.
The Recovery & Repair Gel contains ten times more Vitamin A than Retinol, is 550 times more potent than Vitamin E itself and 6,000 times more potent than Vitamin C. It’s also more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid.
Most importantly, it contains naturally active ingredients. The Recovery & Repair Gel hydrates and soothes, working deep within the epidermis and dermis to create more and more healthy cells. This in turn, strengthens the skin barrier, making it less affected by pollutants, irritants and free radicals.
Red Algae is able to even skin tone, reduce redness, clear blemishes, reduce eczema – all by treating the problem of bad skin at the root – the skin barrier.
The miraculous Astaxanthin is an extremely versatile compound making it a major advance in skincare. It’s able to lock in hydration, provide increased antioxidant protection which essentially supercharges your SPF and acts as an even stronger barrier to fight off free radicals.
You can read more about the benefits of Red Algae here.
