Be smart about your skincare to keep your skin healthy and balanced.

Did you know that skin problems like dry skin, fine lines and acne can occur as a result of a damaged skin moisture barrier?

Let’s get to the bottom of your skin issues by tackling what exactly the skin barrier is, what damages it, and how you can repair it so you always have smooth, supple and healthy-looking skin!

What is the skin’s moisture barrier?

The moisture barrier consists of the outer layer of the skin, more specifically, the topmost layer which is called the stratum corneum. This layer is made up of lipids from your oil glands and it is responsible for maintaining skin moisture to give you a radiant and dewy appearance.

At the same time, the moisture barrier also protects the skin from dehydration and repels external irritants like bacteria and debris from penetrating your skin. To put it simply, this barrier locks all the good stuff in while keeping all the bad stuff out!

A baby’s skin is an example of a perfectly healthy moisture barrier. Their skin is plump, smooth, and super soft to the touch.

What are the signs of a damaged skin barrier?

You can assess your moisture barrier’s health by observing your skin. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, your moisture barrier might have been compromised and needs to be restored:

• Dryness
• Dehydration
• Tightness
• Redness
• Itchiness
• Peeling or flaking
• Roughness
• Crepiness and fine lines
• Increased breakouts
• Stinging sensation when products are applied

Yeouth has perfected a line of hydrating products designed to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

What causes damage to my skin’s moisture barrier?

Your skincare choices have a big impact on your skin’s moisture barrier.  The number one culprit for most is exfoliating too often. Exfoliating products like scrubs and chemical peels slough away this layer. Using them too frequently, however,  can damage the delicate balance of your skin. Try to minimize use to once a week or as indicated in the product instructions.

The use of other harsh skin care products, especially overly-drying cleansers, alcohol-based toners and other products laden with synthetic fragrances, can also harm your skin’s moisture barrier. It is important to choose gentle and moisturizing skincare products with no added fragrances.

Other lifestyle factors such as not drinking enough water, drinking too much caffeine, smoking, air conditioning and too much sun exposure, can also be damaging to your skin’s moisture barrier.

How do I repair my damaged moisture barrier?

Keeping your skin hydrated is the best way to revive your damaged moisture barrier. Drink lots of water and choose ultra-hydrating skin care products. As for skincare, we recommend the use of hyaluronic acid. This amazing skincare ingredient attracts water molecules up to 1,000 times its own weight and actually increases the moisture content of your skin.

For a super hydrating combo, check out our Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Hyaluronic Acid Cream. A moisturizing yet non-greasy duo that will mend and maintain a healthy moisture barrier for skin that is dewy, smooth, and supple.

Summary

Your moisture barrier locks in skin moisture while protecting it from your environment. Factors like skincare and lifestyle can damage this delicate barrier resulting in tight, dry and irritated skin.

Using the right skincare products and practicing a healthy lifestyle can easily fix and maintain a healthy moisture barrier for that everlasting-youthful glow!