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We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable feeling of dry, irritated skin. This is the feeling of a compromised skin barrier.
TL;DR – A Compromised Skin Barrier
(Too Long; Didn’t Read)
● Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin
● It’s all that stands between you and the outside world
● Barriers can become compromised
● When it is compromised it doesn’t look or feel good
● Eighteen B has an excellent solution: Firm + Replenish Serum
● Packed with NMF and lipids to replenish + scaffold your barrier
● Clinically tested to significantly improve firmness + elasticity
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We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable feeling of dry, irritated skin. This is the feeling of a compromised skin barrier. A compromised skin barrier means that it is impaired in performing its normal functions:
(1) keeping the bad stuff out: like defending against environmental aggressors
(2) keeping the good stuff in: like maintaining hydration
It turns out that a compromised skin barrier can affect skin appearances as well and signs of aging. Read on to learn more about what it means to have a compromised barrier and how to defend it.
Skin barrier’s purpose?
The skin barrier is located in the epidermis of your skin, specifically your stratum corneum (more on skin anatomy here). Your skin barrier defends you from things like abrasion, dirt, micro-organisms, and chemicals and pollution. It does this with a powerful combination of tightly packed corneocytes, lipids, natural moisturizing factor, pH, and your microbiome. The upper-most layer of your skin is truly amazing.
A compromised barrer?
Our skin barrier is pretty awesome, but like all things it can become compromised. How can it become compromised? Things like detergents and overwashing, allergies, exposure to irritating and toxic chemicals, and even over use of common skin care ingredients like retinoids and glycolic acid can all cause the formidable skin barrier to become breached. Literally, the skin will become more permeable.
Why does it matter?
When the skin barrier is compromised it can show. Skin might look and feel inflamed. It could take on a dry and scaly appearance. Many peer-reviewed publications have found a link between a compromised skin barrier and things like itchy/inflamed skin (e.g. contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis), dry skin (xerosis), rosacea, and acne.
Your role?
Luckily you can do a lot to control the health of your skin barrier. Obviously a board-certified dermatologist will be your best resource, from a medical standpoint. Keeping skin moisturized from the inside (drink water) and from the outside (use a nourishing cream, day and night). Protect your skin from harmful UV by wearing SPF regularly. Additionally, use a gentle cleanser and do not go crazy with the resurfacing products.
At Eighteen B we are also offering the Firm + Replenish Serum – packed with NMF and lipids to replenish your natural skin barrier. It also contains our B-SILK PROTEIN, which physically defends against stealthy environmental aggressors.
We tested this product clinically, and quantitatively measured a greater than 2x improvement in skin’s firmness and elasticity compared to the control after 12 weeks of daily use. Expert grading found significant improvement in skin’s fine lines and wrinkles, lifting, and overall healthy appearance.
Science for the win!
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