The Skin Barrier and How to Strengthen It
The Skin Barrier: So Important for Our Skin
In the uppermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, there are keratinocytes, which are essentially dead cells. These are connected to one another by a thin, transparent, watertight mesh with an oily texture, known as the skin barrier. Essentially, it is an extracellular substance made up of lipids that protect the skin. The skin barrier is our defense against environmental threats, as well as against the loss of the skin’s natural moisture. Let’s keep in mind that transepidermal water loss, as it is more widely known, jeopardizes the good health of our skin and of our body.
How the Skin Barrier Works
Every cell of our epidermis is born in its lowest layer, the basal layer. Gradually it multiplies, rises to the surface while changing its form, loses its nucleus, and becomes a keratinocyte—that is, it dies and sheds. This natural maturation is called keratinization and lasts about 28 days. At the same time, to fill the space between the keratinocytes, a lipid composition is created. This includes ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, which unite with the keratinocytes and create an intact skin barrier.
What Disrupts the Skin Barrier?
We can tell the skin barrier is under strain from redness, a feeling of tightness and dryness, a tendency to itch, and flaking. The deterioration of the lipids is caused both by biological and environmental factors and by unwise skincare habits. Undeniably, aging, genetic predisposition, and certain skin conditions weaken its defenses. However, ultraviolet radiation, extreme temperatures, bacteria/allergens, environmental pollution, and oxidative stress also significantly burden it. It’s also worth taking into account the damage from low-quality cleansing/exfoliating formulations and chemical peels: they act aggressively on the skin, break down the lipids of the skin barrier, and cause dehydration.
Restoring the Skin Barrier
pHformula’s S.O.S. line activates the epidermis’s reparative mechanisms and restores the function of the skin barrier. The S.O.S. repair cream, S.O.S. rescue oil, S.O.S. rescue cream, S.O.S. eye rescue, S.O.S. lip rescue, and S.O.S. hydra gel mask formulations strengthen and hydrate the skin, containing:
- Glycofilm, a natural polysaccharide that creates a protective film on the surface of the skin
- A peptide complex that reinforces the skin barrier and maintains its elasticity
- Hyaluronic acid, which retains the skin’s moisture and repairs lipid damage
- Urea, with emollient and moisturizing properties that increases moisture in the upper layers of the skin
- Vitamin E, with excellent moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and healing action
- Panthenol, with anti-inflammatory properties for restoring the skin barrier
