If you’re experiencing dryness, irritation or skin that’s constantly out of balance, the cause may be a weakened skin barrier. But the path to a healthy skin barrier doesn’t have to be complicated.
In this article, we’ll guide you towards a deeper understanding of your skin’s defences – and how you can strengthen your skin barrier with just a few key elements.
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You can’t see it. You can’t feel it.
A healthy skin barrier is the one you don’t notice.
The skin barrier is the living, functional protection in the skin’s outermost layer. A finely tuned system that regulates moisture, protects against the environment and creates balance so that the skin can function as it should.
The acid mantle is an important part of the skin barrier. It supports the barrier function by stabilising the pH level to a slightly acidic environment, regulating the microbiome and ensuring the optimal function of the skin’s natural lipids.
Together, these elements form the skin’s invisible defence.
Your skin barrier explained
Imagine that the structure of the skin barrier is built like a flexible, living wall surrounding a living home.
– The bricks consist of the skin’s keratinocytes, found in the outermost layer of the skin – the cells that have already done their job and which the skin is naturally ready to shed through exfoliation or peeling.
– The soft mortar between the bricks consists of the skin’s natural lipids and a slightly acidic pH environment, which holds the structure together and provides the best conditions for the skin’s microorganisms.
Together, they form a strong and flexible barrier that helps the skin retain moisture, suppleness and balance, whilst protecting it against pollution, microorganisms and drying climatic conditions such as wind, cold and heat.
When the skin barrier and the microbiome are in balance:
– The skin is protected against external influences such as pollution, microorganisms and external stress factors.
– Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is reduced, helping the skin to retain moisture and suppleness.
– Optimal conditions are created for the skin’s natural cell renewal and repair processes.
When the mortar weakens, the wall becomes more permeable – and the skin loses moisture more easily, becoming more sensitive and less resilient to external influences.
Your skin is not just skin. It is a vibrant, living ecosystem.
The skin is home to a microscopic community populated by millions of microorganisms that work in harmony to protect, nourish and maintain balance.
Imagine your skin is a big city:
– The microbiota are the city’s inhabitants – the good bacteria, fungi and microbes that protect the skin, create order and balance, and shield it from external threats.
– The microbiome is the city’s genetic code, which dictates who builds, who protects and who cleans up.
The greater the diversity of the inhabitants, the healthier the ‘city’. We know the same applies to the gut.
A healthy microbiome helps to:
– maintain the skin’s optimal pH level (more on that later…)
– support the immune system from within
– prevent unwanted bacteria from taking over
– work in harmony with your skin barrier
Your skin is not just skin. It is a vibrant, living ecosystem.
The skin is home to a microscopic community populated by millions of microorganisms that work in harmony to protect, nourish and maintain balance.
Imagine your skin is a big city:
– The microbiota are the city’s inhabitants – the good bacteria, fungi and microbes that protect the skin, create order and balance, and shield it from external threats.
– The microbiome is the city’s genetic code, which dictates who builds, who protects and who cleans up.
The greater the diversity of the inhabitants, the healthier the ‘city’. We know the same applies to the gut.
A healthy microbiome helps to:
– maintain the skin’s optimal pH level (more on that later…)
– support the immune system from within
– prevent unwanted bacteria from taking over
– work in harmony with your skin barrier
When the skin’s balance is disrupted – for example, by over-skincare, acidic exfoliation treatments, harsh cleansing products or stress – it affects the skin. A weakened barrier causes disruption in the microbiome. And a disrupted microbiome weakens the barrier.
That’s why we need to care for both. Gently, wisely and with respect for the skin’s intelligence.
How to carry out a barrier check
The skin communicates through sensations – not with words. It tells you when the barrier needs support, and rewards you with softness and calm when you look after it. Skin in balance is quiet skin – skin you don’t even notice. Skin that lets you go about your day without a second thought.
A weakened skin barrier will send out subtle signals:
– Dryness, like a whisper of imbalance
– Itchiness and irritation, like a plea for calm
– Redness and inflammation, like an inner distress signal
– Small cracks, calling for healing and repair
A healthy skin barrier starts with a healthy pH level
Knowing the basics of skincare means keeping your pH level under control. A stabilised pH level is a key starting point for achieving healthy skin. pH is the numerical value used to measure the acidity of, for example, water, skincare products, food and the skin’s surface.
On a scale of 0–14, pH levels are measured in terms of acidity and alkalinity, where 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. The skin thrives best at a slightly acidic pH level of between 4.5 and 5.5, at which the skin’s barrier function and microbiome work optimally.
When the skin’s pH is out of balance, the skin barrier is weakened. This can lead to dryness, redness, irritation and acne, as the moisture balance is disrupted and inflammation or harmful bacteria gain the upper hand. Over time, this can increase the risk of skin conditions such as eczema, acne and premature ageing of the skin.
If you’d like to read more about the skin’s pH level, take a look at the article “The skin’s pH – skin in balance”
The path to a healthy skin barrier isn’t that complicated. Focus on these key elements: pH stabilisation, moisture, lipids and SPF.
Moisture helps to supply and lock in hydration in the skin. You get this from face mists, serums and as part of a good cream.
Lipids nourish and soften the skin, whilst providing protection. They’re found in good face creams, as well as in oils and plant-based butters.
SPF protection helps reduce the harmful effects of UV rays on both the epidermis and dermis. Without daily protection against UV rays, the skin’s barrier is compromised – and the effectiveness of your skincare is reduced.
A simple, daily ritual that prevents rather than repairs. May we suggest the following skin-barrier-friendly products, which contain everything you need for your ritual – and a little extra.
1. STABILISATION – HERO pH Solution
HERO pH Solution helps restore the skin’s optimal pH level immediately after cleansing, stress or imbalance. The skin barrier is strengthened, moisture is retained and inflammation is reduced. A reset you can’t see – but can feel. If you have dermatologically challenged skin, this step is even more important.
We’ve created this unique product, HERO pH Solution, to address the challenges posed by an unstable pH level.
2. CLEANSE WITH CARE
Cleanseyour skin with the skin barrier in mind – choose mild, balanced cleansers that don’t strip the skin of its natural oils. The right cleanser is the one that suits your skin right now.
Read more in the article “Which cleanser should I choose?”
3. SKINFOOD SUPPORT – DEW AND SOLACE face mists
DEW and SOLACE Skinfood face mists nourish the skin’s microbiota with pre- and postbiotics, creating optimal conditions for the skin’s ecosystem. The skin barrier is supported and strengthened, and the skin’s ability to retain moisture and regenerate is improved.
4. SUN CARE THAT’S SKIN CARE – BB 3-in-1 cream
A multi-purpose product that provides hydration, nourishment and SPF: BB is a day cream that combines a radiance-boosting tint with sun protection in one. Enriched with, amongst other things, hydrating hyaluronic acid (moisture), plant oils (nourishment) and a mineral sunscreen (SPF 30).
Moisture, emollients and SPF are essential for the health of your skin – and, in the long term, for its longevity too – read more about this in our article “Skin health – essential for your longevity”.
All Karmameju products are developed with respect for the skin’s barrier and pH balance. Our skincare contains carefully selected barrier-strengthening ingredients that work in harmony with the skin’s own intelligence.
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Even if you don’t use aromatherapeutic skincare or products for the home, nature still ensures that aromatherapy is all around us. Trees and plants release invisible plant compounds, phytoncides, which research links to lower stress levels and increased activity in the body’s natural defence cells. This is a beautiful account of forest bathing, nature’s aromatherapy and the scientific evidence behind it.
