Skin Barrier- maintaining a healthy one

The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum.  Its role is to protect your face and body from external irritants, pathogens and moisture loss.  It is essentially, a protective shield!  It is made up of corneocytes (dead skin cells) and lipids (fats) that work together like bricks and mortar to form a strong barrier.  When it is strong and intact, skin is hydrated, smooth and healthy.... nice and tidy...

However, when it's compromised, hello! We experience dryness, irritation, and breakouts.

When our skin barriers are compromised, we may experience some, or all of the following issues:

• Dryness/flakiness
• Redness/inflammation
• Itching
• Increased sensitivity (stinging/burning)
• Tightness
• Increased breakout
• Peeling/rough texture

The most common causes of a compromised skin barrier are:

• Over-exfoliating (too many acidic products or scrubs)
• Using harsh cleansers
• Skipping moisturisers
• Cold or dry weather
• Over-use of strong actives (Retinoids/Alpha-Hydroxy Acids/Beta-Hydroxy Acids)
• No sunscreen use (UV damage weakens the skin barrier)
• Repeated sunburn

Sun-damaged skin is a big issue in this country that not only compromises our skin barrier, but its effects are long term, and often not considered until the damage is already done!

Sun-damaged skin shows up as:

• Dry/rough texture
• Hyperpigmentation (dark spots/uneven skin tone)
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Redness/inflammation
• Lost of elasticity (sagging skin)

What can we do to help to repair a compromised skin barrier?

1. Use a gentle cleanser- avoid harsh soaps and over-exfoliation.  These strip your skin of moisture!  A cream cleanser is ideal.  Only exfoliate a few times per week with a gentle exfoliant like bamboo powder.  Our Lilly Pilly Face Scrub is gentle enough for daily use.
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  Use a toner that is hydrating (has glycerin in it).  Glycerin is a humectant that attracts water to skin.  Cucumber Toner with Malic Acid both removes dry and flaky skin whilst soothing irritation.
3. Use a water-based face serum during the day.  Ensure it has Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, and other soothing ingredients in it.  Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum with Lilly Pilly is an ideal daily face serum.
4. Use a nourishing moisturiser that includes soothing and gentle ingredients, and includes Vitamin C, and a bit of Shea Butter to give the skin barrier some protection while it heals. Our Lush Face Cream covers it all and is suitable for all skin types! 
5. Use a daily sunscreen on sun exposed areas
6. Incorporate a night face oil that nourishes, softens and repairs skin.  Hemp Seed Oil (rich in omega fatty acids) helps to replenish the lipids in your skin barrier;  and Bakuchiol (anti-inflammatory and gentle) are great for both sun-damaged skin and acne-prone skin.  Try 2-3 times per week, followed by a gentle moisturiser. Check out our Hemp Seed and Bakuchiol Face Oil, which is suitable for all skin types...

And let's not forget the rest of our skin!  As we age we have cumulative damage to exposed areas such as arms and legs.  A good moisturising body lotion takes a few minutes to apply... will soften hard skin plaques and address the dryness. Plain Jane Body Lotion is a nourishing lotion and is fragrance free.

Cracked heels are common in the warmer months when we are wearing sandals, slides or flip flops... and can be painful.  Try soaking your feet in warm water, followed by exfoliation.  Our Citrus Hand and Foot Scrub is a foaming blend with ground pumice to exfoliate dry skin. 

Follow it up with either Peppermint Foot Cream or, for a more intense treatment, our Calm It Down! Body Custard provides a rich, soothing treatment and is quickly absorbed.  

Avoid long, hot showers!  Drink plenty of fluids... and be patient!  It won't happen overnight, so patience and taking simple steps will go a long way to improving your skin barrier.

At jean & andy our philsophy is to formulate products that are gentle, nourishing, and help repair compromised skin barriers.

Reach out if you are not sure which of our products might be beneficial for your skin barrier repair journey!