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Whether you’ve taken a dive through Charlotte Parlermino’s TikTok or you’ve been keeping up with the latest skincare launches, you’ve probably noticed that how to protect your skin barrier is presently the industry’s prime concern.
Last month, in fact, Codex Beauty had a huge digital launch to promote their Antü Collection. Hosted by Codex Beauty Labs CEO Barbara Paldus and environmental advocate Stephanie Shepherd, the plant-based biotech beauty brand introduced its Antü Brightening Night Cream and Antü Brightening Moisturizer—both of which are aimed at protecting the skin barrier against inflammation and aiding in UV recovery.
Kát Rudu is an example of a skincare brand that’s always had barrier protection in mind. Its esthetician-backed, medically advanced formulas include glycolic acid, sugar cane, B5, cucumber water and other ingredients that help the skin retain moisture while minimizing pores, irritation and inflammation. All products have peptides that relieve inflammation, nourish the skin and protect the barrier.
To break down even more information about how to protect your skin barrier (as well as how to repair it), we reached out to Kát, herself. The celebrity esthetician, who boasts her namesake Goop-approved skincare studio in Venice, answers all our questions below.
This Is Your Skin Barrier
The skin is broken down into three major layers: the outermost layer being the epidermis (which can be broken down further into five layers), the second layer, the dermis and the innermost layer, the hypodermis. The skin barrier is crucial because it protects the deeper layers. Once the barrier is compromised, you’re no longer protected from excessive trans epidermal water loss, or TEWL, or the penetration of compounds entering the body.
Apart from damaging the skin barrier on the outermost level, damage can happen at the lower levels through invasive procedures such as injections, botox or surgery. The skin barrier has always been a factor, but now with medical advancements, skin experts are trying to go deeper into the aging cycle.
Why Skin Barrier Discussion Is Currently on the Rise
The skin barrier is being referenced now more than ever because the widespread consumer is looking more into the medical definitions of skincare. There has been a shift into conscious shopping and the need to understand the ingredients that are being put into products before purchasing.
How to Protect Your Skin Barrier
Ways to protect the skin barrier are through the use of peptides, niacinamide, retinol, B12 and B5 to increase the amount of skin cells. It’s also crucial to increase your intake of water to add hydration on a deeper level. Additionally, getting enough sleep is imperative when it comes to allowing your skin cells to repair themselves at night.
Signs Your Skin Barrier Is Damaged
The skin barrier is important because without this protection, the skin’s pH is left unbalanced, and hydration retention is disrupted, resulting in dry, irritated skin, an increase in breakouts and loss of elasticity. Barrier damage can be a result of smoking, over-washing, the use of harsh ingredients, going into the sun without sunscreen and high stress levels.
How to Repair Your Skin Barrier
You can repair the skin barrier by layering serums and getting treatments that focus on infusing the skin with hydration and vitamins that aid in the repair of the skin. You can also use calming ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, pure hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
For more beauty guidance, HERE‘s our review of COOLA sun care’s first-ever skincare line.
