The Skin Barrier Explained
So, you might be wondering what on earth is the skin barrier and why is it so important for skin health? There is a VERY strong connection between skin symptoms and barrier function, so let us explain a little more about why this is so important:
Essentially, this barrier is the layer of skin that works to protect the skin. It is the protective result of a mixture of lipids, microflora and the healthy presence of a slightly acidic pH level held in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis. It protects against foreign invasions such as viruses and allergens, as well as prevents transepidermal water loss.
The skin’s moisture barrier is our body's first line of defence and a key aspect of our immune system. It’s made up of natural oils and moisturizing factors that sit between the cells in the outermost layer of the skin to create a physical barrier — blocking harmful allergens and bacteria from entering the body and keeping water locked in.
When the skin barrier is intact it keeps our complexion smooth, calm and hydrated. The health of our skin barrier determines how effective the products we apply will be and it need to be protected in order to function properly. That’s because it’s through the barrier that active ingredients are absorbed and delivered — and if it's imbalanced or deficient, it can’t effectively carry out this function.
What is barrier dysfunction?
When our barrier is disrupted, the depleted barrier allows irritants and bacteria to enter the skin and precious water to escape.
In this state, your skin can only focus on one thing — rebuilding that protective barrier. This means that not only will active ingredients from your products not be effectively delivered into the skin, but your skin’s immune response is activated.
This immune response is known as inflammation and leads to a variety of visible skin conditions and can often be the reason why it looks and feels, dry, sensitive, red and irritated.
Barrier dysfunction is the cause of so many different visible skin conditions including dry and scaly skin, acne, skin itchiness, rough patches, skin discolouration as well as red and reactive areas.
What causes a skin barrier to become impaired?
Things to avoid doing to maintain the health of your skin barrier:
Over-cleansing
Over-exfoliating
Formulas with excessive fragrance
Too much sun
Very hot showers
Try to manage stress as much as possible (yes, stress can negatively impact the skin)
SLSs (sodium lauryl sulfates) in products and incorrect product usage
Too many high-performance actives (like Vitamin A products), especially in combination
Things you can proactively do to maintain Skin Barrier function:
Ensure you are hydrating with 8- 10 glasses of water daily
Take Essential Fatty Acids (known as EFA’s) - we love EFA Ultra by DMK
Wash your face with cold water only
Exercise at least once a week flush your skin
What products can I invest in that can help repair my Skin’s Barrier?
DMK has an incredible range of products that really help to boost the skin which are created based on decades of research, knowledge and experience to produce precise formulations. Each product is designed to work with specific internal functions of the skin by matching the body’s chemistry to work effectively in tangent with our professional treatments.
They are integral to the DMK concept REMOVE, REBUILD, PROTECT and MAINTAIN.
Beta-Gel - DMK’s signature immune boosting serum designed for reactive, irritated, or traumatised skin. reparative functions of the skin both locally and systemically. Beta-Gel is excellent to aid in the treatments of traumatised skin, for pre- and post-operative clients. It also works well for acne, congestions and rosacea, ageing, sun-damage and red-reactive skin.
Herb & Mineral Mist - This beautiful mist is an instant delivery multi-vitamin, mineral and amino acid supplement spray, which encourages active product ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin.
Seba-E - Designed to imitate the skin's lipids and natural oils to promote barrier repair. This assists to re-establish hydration.
Biologique Recherche’s range also contains some incredible products to help heal and support the epidermal shield.
Lotion P50 - is a fantastic product to rebalance the pH level of the skin - it contains three key active ingredients - AHA, BHA and niacinamide, which work together to re-calibrate the skin to be more acidic. This is turn helps barrier function while also speeding up the process of repairing and rebuilding the epidermal shield. If you are unsure about which Lotion P50 would be right for your skin - please send us an email here and we can advise you in more detail.
Biologique Recherche also offers Serum T.E.W.L - which is deeply supports the skin to reinforce epidermal protection systems, this serum works like a genuine lipidic shield thanks to its formula boasting a wealth of lipid replenishing, repairing and protective active ingredients.
Toleskin [C] Creme - also helps restore the microbiota balance and reduces skin reactions and enhances skin barrier integrity. It also reduces sensitivity, itching, discomfort and improves skin tolerance.
What treatments do you offer that will help skin barrier concerns?
We offer a range of professional treatment as healing mechanisms to strengthen the skin’s barrier:
The first step in this process is always LED light therapy. This skin therapy uses light energy to stimulate your body’s natural processes and promote healing from deep within. It is non-invasive and results are visible after each relaxing and healing treatment, but most profound after cumulative sessions. You do not need a consult with this treatment and it is suitable for everyone.
We also offer a variety of DMK Enzyme Treatments - these enzymes (live molecules in the body) work with certain minerals to orchestrate your body’s natural processes. They remove dead protein, toxins and other discharge from the epidermis using a process called reverse osmosis. When enzymes function correctly, they strengthen the structural integrity of the skin and create a healthy environment for cells to thrive in. These treatments are safe and effective as Enzyme Therapy mimics your body’s natural processes to enhance its functioning.
All our enzyme treatments are suitable for everyone and do not require a consult to book. Please note, these treatments are not suitable for pregnant women.
DMK Enzyme Therapy uses the benefits of enzymes and works deep at a cellular level to:
Restore skin to its best condition and promote deep healing
Calming eczema or psoriasis
Stimulate the facial muscles
Keep skin firm, healthy and nourished
Recently, we also launched the new Toleskin Treatment from Biologique Recherche which is formulated for sensitive and reactive skin instants. Toleskin Face is extremely soothing and is highly effective at reducing skin sensitivity, itching and discomfort. Regular use helps skin becomes more tolerant and less irritated, while the skin's texture becomes smoother and redness is reduced. It is perfect treatment if your skin is in a state of crisis and you feel like you are unable to receive any treatment because of the reactivity of your skin.
What sunscreen protection should I use for skin with an impaired barrier?
A physical or mineral SPF is typically the best choice for an impaired barrier because it doesn’t alter the skin’s natural processes to provide UV protection (a chemical SPF provides SPF by creating a controlled chemical reaction resulting in heat as a by-product).
If you have skin concerns then we recommend that you book in for a skin analysis so that we can properly understand the factors that may be causing and contributing to your symptoms. From there we devise a personalised skin treatment plan that is focused on our holistic approach to ensure we can achieve your skin goals.