If your skin is mostly well-behaved and randomly starts acting out but you can’t figure out why, it might be down to a broken skin barrier. The skin barrier isn’t anything new, we always have and always will have one, but it’s fairly new to the chat as it’s still not quite the first thing we think of when our complexions aren’t feeling our best selves.
In short, a healthy skin barrier keeps the stuff we want in, and the stuff we don’t want out, so why would we do anything to compromise it? We wouldn’t, not on purpose anyway. Still, many of us put it at risk, day in and day out without even realising (oopsie), which is why we’re here to talk more about the skin barrier, what it does, what causes a broken skin barrier, and how to strengthen and maintain it with what we do best: facials.
Our skin is made up of several layers, and the very top layer, called the stratum corneum, is the skin barrier. It’s the body’s first line of defence, protecting it against external threats. Cells, known as corneocytes, act like the bricks of the wall, tightly cemented together with mortar-like fats. Without a healthy skin barrier, you’re basically rolling out the welcome mat to all sorts of chaos.
Unfortunately, a lot. The skin barrier can become compromised by environmental stressors, such as UV rays and pollution that spike the production of unstable free radicals, and even harsh weather conditions like high winds and cold temperatures. Age can also affect your skin’s barrier as hyaluronic acid and ceramide levels begin to decline. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws and retains moisture whilst ceramides hold skin cells together – two essential components to a healthy skin barrier.
But the main culprit causing broken skin barriers that we can actually control is *insert drum roll here*… us. We’re talking overuse of intense acids, harsh exfoliators, at-home chemical peels (which are never a good idea), and just neglecting your skin in general.
In most cases, you’ll just know your skin’s barrier is broken. You’ll be experiencing sensitivity, irritation, inflammation, and/or burning/tingly sensations, all of which are pretty hard to miss. But there are some more subtle signs of a compromised skin barrier in need of fixing like redness, dry patches, and discolouration.
This facial treatment soothes and fixes compromised skin barriers with CBD, a natural anti-inflammatory bursting with essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, and E. It’s also one of the most potent antioxidants out there, preventing free radical damage and promoting self-repair within the cells they’ve already damaged. Sebum plays a huge role in strengthening the skin barrier as it’s mixed with fat molecules, aka lipids, that create a protective, moisturising layer on the skin. But overproduced sebum leaves your skin looking oily, and underproduced sebum will leave it dry and vulnerable. CBD oil can help regulate its production to maintain a healthy skin barrier that comes with alllll the glow, and none of the grease. Just how we like it.
The high concentration of oxygen in our Signature Oxygen Facial encourages a healthy skin barrier by boosting blood circulation which stimulates cell regeneration, elastin and collagen production, and nutrient delivery to the skin. Taking some of the pressure off of the skin barrier and preserving its strength for when it’s truly needed, it’ll ease acne by destroying the type of blemish-causing bacteria that can’t survive in optimal levels of oxygen. Working alongside your skincare routine, this facial treatment increases product absorption, meaning you’ll start to see the full effects of all those skincare products you invested in to fix your skin’s barrier – ka-ching!
Strengthen your skin’s barrier and reduce the signs of ageing with the IMAGE Skincare Signature Face Lift. The 2-in-1 facial treatment features hyaluronic acid to restore the skin barrier by increasing moisture levels in the skin whilst minimising transepidermal water loss. With its ability to draw up to 1,000 times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid can also smooth out fine lines and wrinkles as it plumps up the skin. Vitamin C, an antioxidant, repairs and prevents free radical damage, as well as brightens the skin, fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and assists in the production of collagen fibres.
To book one of these facial treatments to start healing and/or preventing a broken skin barrier, please contact Young LDN today.
