Skin Barrier: The skin barrier protects the inner layers of the skin from damage, knowing how to keep it healthy.
Your skin is made up of many layers. Each layer has its importance in protecting your body. The outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, is called the skin barrier.

Many beauty products are labeled as “skin barrier protection”. Whenever we look at the benefits of any home remedy, there is a mention of protecting the skin barrier. Not only that, dermatologists also recommend protecting the skin barrier to maintain skin health. But have you ever tried to know what the skin barrier is? If not, then first you should know about the skin barrier. Health Shots brings you important information related to the benefits of the skin barrier for the skin, as well as ways to protect it.

First, understand what the skin barrier is
Your skin is made up of many layers, each important in protecting your body. The outer layer, the stratum corneum, contains tough skin cells called corneocytes. These cells are interconnected, and this is what we call the skin barrier.

The skin barrier protects the body from free radicals and environmental pollution. At the same time, toxins present in the environment can penetrate your skin and cause many skin and health-related problems. Along with this, the skin barrier is meant to maintain hydration inside your skin. If it is damaged, water can evaporate, which makes the skin dehydrated and dry.

Now understand how the skin barrier can be damaged.
Due to prolonged exposure to humid or dry environments.
Environmental pollution can cause allergies and infections.
Spending a lot of time in direct contact with the sun’s rays.
Using alkaline detergents and soaps.
Over-exfoliation and over-washing.
Genetic factors include hypersensitivity to skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Psychological distress.
Steroids.

These signs indicate that your skin barrier is damaged.
Dry and scaly skin
Itchy skin
Rough and discoloured patches on the skin
Skin sensitivity and swelling
Acne problems
Risk of bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections
Learn how to protect the skin barrier

1. Moisturize the skin regularly
   Moisturizers increase the water-holding capacity of the skin barrier. Water-based moisturizers contain ingredients like glycerin and lactic acid, which help the skin absorb water. This keeps the skin soft and also preserves the skin’s elastin. Apply the moisturizer to damp skin to fully absorb it into the skin.
2. Take care of your diet
   A healthy and balanced diet such as whole grains and healthy fats helps maintain skin health. A diet rich in antioxidants and fish oil maintains skin elasticity, as well as keeps your skin looking younger for longer. Eat carrots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, tomatoes, berries, beans, nuts are all very beneficial for the skin.
3. Avoid smoking
   Smoking can cause premature aging of your skin and wrinkles. It narrows the blood vessels in the skin, preventing blood from circulating fully, reducing oxygen supply and making the skin dry. Smoking also affects the levels of collagen and elastin in your skin. These protein cells provide elastin to the skin. Not only this, smoking also causes toxins to build up in the body and increases the risk of skin cancer.
4. Stress management is very important
   Stress is a major cause of skin problems and also damages the skin barrier. This can disrupt your hormones, which can lead to skin problems like acne.
5. Pay attention to the skin’s pH level
   The pH of your skin stays around 4.7. However, the pH of some skin products can range from 3.7 to 8.2. Using these products can affect the skin barrier, so you should use skin care products that have a pH between 4.0 and 5.0 on your skin.

The normal pH level of the skin protects you from skin conditions such as dermatitis, ichthyosis, acne, and Candida albicans infections. However, not all of these products label their pH, so keep that in mind.