The most important thing you need to know about your skin: Barrier Function

I'm the type of person that likes to know the why behind everything, especially when investing time and money into something. I talk about skin barrier, barrier repair, and inflammation all the time in the treatment room, but I recently realized that I rarely take the time to explain what that means and why it is so important. So, if you're anything like me and want to know the why, keep reading.

Understanding the skin barrier and how it works will also help you understand the treatments and products you invest in. 

Addressing your skin concerns and ensuring that your skin health is in tip-top shape means that we need to manage your barrier function.  Let's break down what barrier function is, the symptoms of barrier disruptions, internal and external contributors, and how to achieve and maintain a healthy skin barrier.

The Barrier, Explained
​As the first line of defense for our body, the skin barrier can be considered part of our immune system (which shows us just how important it is!). The skin barrier makes up the outermost layer of the skin (the stratum corneum). Think of the it as the gatekeeper to the skin, resembling a brick and mortar wall - with skin cells as the resilient "bricks" and oils as the mortar that holds them together. Your skin barrier also contains other components that synergistically work together to block and protect against daily assaults such as: pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and anything else that can aggravate the skin. Our skin barrier is responsible for normal function and ALL the mechanisms of our skin. If the skin barrier is deficient, your skin cannot function properly, and it will act out and let you know. 

Our skins first line of defense the stratum corneum aka skin barrier shown above.

What is your skin trying to tell you?
​Symptoms of an unhappy barrier

Internal and External Contributors

Once your skin notifies you how its feeling with its signs of inflammation, identifying and trying to eliminate any possible causes is so important. These are both internal and external contributors.  

Common external factors that trigger this inflammation are:

• Harsh soaps and detergents (like SLS)
• Fragrance and some essential oils 
• Overuse of active ingredients and/or combining ingredients incorrectly
• UV overexposure
• Blue Light (HEV)- from screens on our devices
• Bacteria
• Seasonal changes
• Centralized heating and air conditioning 
• Cold and low humidity weather conditions
• Exposure to harsh wind
• Exposure to hot water
• Certain chemicals, such as chlorine in swimming pools or over-exposure to pollutants
• External allergens
• Excessive sweating or overexertion that strains the body
• Gas and particle pollutants within the atmosphere (free radicals)
• And one of the most common, over-cleansing and over-exfoliation. 

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Internal Factors that can cause inflammation are:

• Medication
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Overconsumption of diuretics, such as caffeine, alcohol, or diuretic medications 
• Internal dehydration 
• Internal inflammation
• Internal allergens
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Genetic predisposition (low on Fitzpatrick scale- fair skin)
• Stress
• And some diseases or conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and hypothyroidism.

The most common causes of barrier dysfunction are modern diets, stress, lifestyle factors, increased pollution, climate, and increased access to active skincare formulas. Many are factors are in our control. However, some may not be, like medications and health issues. As always, I want you to be aware of what can cause the problems at hand to empower you to choose to improve your skin's health. 

Identify and Eliminate

Once you identify and eliminate exposure to possible causes of barrier disruption, you can increase the effectiveness of the products you apply: the healthier the barrier, the better that active ingredients are absorbed and delivered. If the barrier is imbalanced or deficient, it can't effectively carry out this task. 


Replenish and Repair

Choosing products that mimic the components of the skin barrier is the first place to start.
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Here are my picks that I use and recommend for a healthy barrier: 

• Renewal Lotion: Any of Epionce Renewal products are the best place to start for barrier repair. They hydrate, strengthen, and repair the barrier. Reduce inflammation and redness and help reduce visible signs of aging by stimulating collagen synthesis. Renewals increase hydration from the inside out. 
• Intense Defense Serum: Your multivitamin for the skin with 23 vitamins (A, B, C, D, and E) Provides daily anti-aging and repair benefits. This serum would take the place of a vitamin C serum, growth factor serum, peptides, and hyaluronic acid because it has it all! It has been clinically proven to outperform the leading competitor's Vitamin C and Growth Factor Serum for fine lines and wrinkles.
• Rescue Epidermal Repair Serum: Helps with barrier repair, acne, pore size, hyperpigmentation. I love this serum for anyone with a compromised barrier, sensitive/sensitized skin, rosacea, and those with chronic barrier damage and orange peel texture. 
• Correct Vitamin A Serum: Non-irritating form of Vitamin A with nine different collagen stimulators and seven antioxidants. Gentle enough to use around the eye area and lips. Osmosis MD makes three different Vitamin A Serums. So there is one for everyone. Even those that have a difficult time tolerating  Vitamin A (retinoid). 

Pro Glow Tip: I mix Rescue, Correct, and one spray of Infuse together at night and apply to my face, neck, and chest. This adds extra hydration and I use less product.  

• Intensive Nourishing Cream: Ultra hydration and great for photo-aged (sun damage) skin. It helps reduce symptoms of rosacea and is a must for the neck and chest.

• Daily Shield tinted SPF 50: A physical or mineral SPF is typically the best choice for an impaired barrier. It doesn't alter the skin's natural processes to provide UV protection or create heat within the skin like a chemical sunscreen. 

Some things you can do internally to help support a healthy barrier are:

• Drink 8-10 cups of water daily (or half of one's body weight in ounces)
• Omegas 3 and 6
• Increase electrolyte and potassium levels​
• Multi-vitamins
• And collagen supplements which can support skin hydration retention​​

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Just remember, the healthier your skin barrier is, the easier it is to create changes and to correct your concerns. Listen to your skin. It is remarkable and is constantly communicating with us. Identify and try to eliminate any of the possible irritants that disrupt your skin barrier and invest in professional products that replenish and repair the skin.

Now that you understand that barrier function is a huge part in how your skin responds to treatments and products, you can make more informed decisions about how you care for your skin, and I hope it will help you make good choices with your skincare routine when I am not there with you. 

Do you need some help and guidance choosing products that help support healthy barrier function? Let's schedule you a consultation! ​