Understanding Your Skin Barrier: What It Is and Why It Matters

 

To embark on an authentic journey of skincare and routine, one needs to have prior and deep knowledge on the concept of skin barrier and its importance. As humans, one needs to be aware that with an extensive skin coverage area of 1.8 m, it performs important homeostatic functions and additionally the skin structure and composition works in tandem to maintain its unique equilibrium.

Introduction to the Skin Barrier
Skin is the largest organ in the human body consisting of epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Epidermis being the outermost layer further comprises of four distinct epidermal layers. The dermis lies below the epidermis and consists of a fibrous extracellular matrix. The last and the deepest layer is hypodermis comprising mostly of fatty cells. These three structures form the basis of skin barrier. The major role of this barrier is to prevent structural damage and regulating the passage of moisture.

Composition of the Skin Barrier
If we look into the skin barrier minutely, the epidermis harbours two barrier structures: stratum corneum (SC) and tight junctions (TJ). The outermost layer of the epidermis (SC) is composed of corneocytes embedded in complex lipid extracellular matrix. The lipid matrix acts as a continuous pathway for chemical the skin encounters. This makes the lipid structure of skin extremely important to the barrier function role. The lipid matrix is composed of ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL) and free fatty acids (FFAs). These components pack the lipids tightly into a 3D form. The dermis layer below the epidermis consists of collagen and acts as a supportive layer to the above region.

Functions of the Skin Barrier 
As the first line of defence against all pathogens and chemicals, skin barrier plays multiple functional roles in its protection.
• Firstly, skin serves as a watertight barrier to all external elements. It also helps prevent any structural damage to skin.
• Secondly, skin barrier plays an important role in water retention and keeping the necessary moisture locked within. All components and layers have specific defined role in protecting each layer and keeping entry of unwanted pathogens and chemicals at bay.
• Lastly, it is the foremost protectant against external stimuli like allergens and irritants.

Importance of a Healthy Skin Barrier 
A healthy skin barrier will result in plump clearer looking skin quality. The skin cells renewal capacity is aided by a healthy barrier to create balanced proliferation and differentiation process. As a sensory organ, skin barrier acts as an interface between internal and external world. The protective mechanism of the barrier keeps pathogens and allergens from entering into skin cells. It protects all kinds of skin types from sensitivity and environmental triggers. A well-functioning neuronal termination helps the skin keep away from skin related disorders and regulate temperature along with proper hydration.

Signs of a Compromised Skin Barrier 
A compromised skin barrier leads to its dysfunction often manifesting with symptoms of dry, flaky and inflamed skin. Scientific studies have reported that skin barrier disruption leads to significant medical issues like xerosis cutis, ichthyoses, and atopic dermatitis. Common symptoms of such disorders include excessive dryness, itchiness, and scaly skin with much discomfort. The natural moisturizing capacity of skin comes down as the skin barrier breaks making it hyper sensitive to regular skin care products.

Factors That Weaken the Skin Barrier
Various factors play a significant role in bringing down the skin barrier and quality of ones’ skin.
• Pollution and particulate matter in air is a major reason of a weakened skin barrier. Every day a person is exposed to harsh environmental conditions that include dust, smoke, debris etc. This often breaks down the skin barrier over a time period leading to skin disorders at a later time.
• Other factors include stress, lack of sleep, unbalanced diet and nutrition, weak immunity, genetics and using over the counter skin products without understanding the intricacies of skin type.

 

Steps to Strengthen and Protect Your Skin Barrier 
Evidence based skincare and products can aid in controlling the factors that weaken the skin barrier. The need for effective skin restoration agents is on a rise.
• Products with ceramides have gained a lot of attention. An intact ceramides structure within the stratum corneum helps protect the skin barrier. Hence ceramides are considered key ingredients in development of new skincare products.
• Another important component is hyaluronic acid which starts depleting from human skin at around 25 years of age. One needs to add such elements in their skin care routine as it has been scientifically proven to contain anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and other restorative properties.
• Importance of daily moisturising and hydration in strengthening skincare is already a well-established fact.

 

Conclusion
The hallmark of good skin care has been consistency in taking care of it over the years and also to change or upgrade it as per one’s changing environment, age, immunity and other factors. Adapting the skincare to external and internal factors can go a long way in preserving core structural integrity of the skin barrier. Lifestyle habits including good sleep, diet and a sound mental health can positively impact good skin quality in the longer run.

 

Author : Dr Mrinmayee Mukund, Dermatologist at Cozderm Clinic