Do you ever wonder why some people seem to have an effortless, radiant glow? 

The secret often lies in the health of their skin barrier. This outermost layer of your skin isn't just a protective shield. It's a dynamic living system fueled by lipids, the natural fats that keep your skin strong and resilient. 

Think of lipids as the building blocks that make your skin glow. 

Let’s explore the science behind these essential lipids, their unique roles in skin health, and how you can optimise their power to achieve your healthiest skin.

What is the Skin Barrier, and Why Does it Matter?

The skin barrier or lipid barrier (also called ‘stratum corneum’) adapts to protect your skin from the outside world. Imagine it as a "brick and mortar" system:

• Bricks: Skin cells (corneocytes) form a strong, resilient foundation.

• Mortar: Lipids, including ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, act as the "glue," holding everything together and creating a waterproof seal.

These bricks and mortars work for you by:

• Hydrating your skin by preventing water from evaporating from your skin's surface. This is essential for maintaining a plump, healthy complexion.

• Shielding our skin against environmental damage and preventing aggressors like pollution, UV radiation, and harsh chemicals from penetrating our skin.

• Maintaining your microbiome balance. Your skin is home to a diverse community of microorganisms, and a healthy skin barrier helps maintain a balanced microbiome, essential for preventing skin conditions like acne and eczema. 

The lipids that make up your skin barrier aren't all created equal. Each plays a special role in keeping your skin healthy and radiant:

• Ceramides are the most abundant lipids in your skin barrier. It holds the skin cells together. They provide strength and structure, preventing moisture loss and keeping your skin supple.

• Fatty Acids contribute to your skin's flexibility and resilience. They also help maintain the skin's slightly acidic pH, which is crucial for optimal barrier function and protects against harmful bacteria and fungi.

• Cholesterol. Yes, the same cholesterol we often hear about heart health! In the skin barrier, cholesterol plays a role in regulating its fluidity and permeability, ensuring that it functions efficiently to prevent water loss and protect against pollution and dirt.

Lifestyle Factors That Affect Your Skin Barrier — Lipids

Your daily habits and lifestyle choices have a significant impact on the health and function of your skin barrier. Here are some key factors to consider:

Diet

"You are what you eat" holds true for your skin. A diet lacking in essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), vitamins (especially A and D), and antioxidants can weaken your skin barrier. These nutrients are crucial for maintaining the skin's lipid balance and protecting against damage.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in oily fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, these healthy fats help fortify the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

• Vitamin A: Abundant in sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach, vitamin A is essential for skin cell turnover and repair.

• Vitamin D: Known as the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D supports skin barrier function and can be obtained through sun exposure or supplements.

• Antioxidants: Found in colourful fruits and vegetables, antioxidants protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Hydration

Dehydration doesn't just make you feel thirsty; it also affects your skin's ability to retain moisture. When dehydrated, your skin loses water, leading to dryness, tightness, and a compromised skin barrier. Drinking water is important for maintaining skin hydration and supporting optimal barrier function.

Stress Management

Chronic stress doesn't just affect your mental health. It also affects your skin. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can disrupt the skin barrier's delicate balance, leading to inflammation, sensitivity, and breakouts. Incorporating stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, or time in nature can benefit your mind and skin.

Sleep

Beauty sleep is real! Quality sleep is essential for skin repair and regeneration. During sleep, your body produces growth hormones that help with cell turnover and skin barrier maintenance.

Sun Protection 

Try physical sunscreens that contain active mineral ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Instead of absorbing UV radiation, these ingredients sit on the skin's surface and create a physical barrier that reflects and scatters UV rays away from the skin. Not only does it give broad spectrum protection, but it is also safe for sensitive skin types.

Product Choice

The products you use on your skin can either support or sabotage your skin barrier. Harsh soaps, detergents, and skin care products containing irritants like sulphates (SLS), fragrances, and alcohol can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the lipid matrix. Choosing gentle, pH-balanced products formulated with skin-loving ingredients is essential for maintaining barrier health.

Over-exfoliation

The truth is, less is more when it comes to exfoliation. While exfoliation is important for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, overdoing it can damage the delicate lipid barrier. While the recommendation is typically advised to exfoliate 2-3 times per week, our recommendations can often vary between once a week to even once a fortnight. Each individual skin is different, and methodology will vary.
Choose gentle methods, such as chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs) or soft cloths, over granular scrubs.

Above Skin's Expertise to the Rescue:

At Above Skin, we understand the science of skin barrier health and offer a curated range of products formulated with lipid-replenishing ingredients to nourish and strengthen your skin:

Pure Marula Oil, $65

Provides a natural, vitamin-rich solution, offering barrier repair, anti-inflammatory benefits, and deep hydration, potentially replacing traditional moisturisers.

Aspect’s Extreme B17 serum, $139

Leverages the power of B vitamins to combat dehydration, even skin tone, and support barrier function, resulting in a plump, youthful appearance.

Aspect’s Gentle Clean Cleanser, from $59

Ensures a thorough yet gentle cleanse, removing impurities without compromising the skin's delicate barrier.

Cosmedix Reboot Serum, $69

Works overnight to enhance hydration and reduce wrinkles, incorporating probiotics to balance and strengthen the skin.

Cosmedix Mystic Hydrating Mist, $75

Delivers a probiotic-infused mist that soothes, protects, and hydrates, safeguarding the skin from environmental stressors and preventing moisture loss, all vital for a healthy skin barrier.

Your skin barrier is the foundation of healthy, radiant skin. By making mindful lifestyle choices and using targeted skincare, you can empower your skin to thrive. 

Ready to Discover Your Best Skin?

Explore the Above Skin's range and find the science-backed solutions your skin deserves. www.aboveskin.com.au

Or better yet, book in a 1:1 skincare consultation with Dermal Clinician, Sarah. https://www.aboveskin.com.au/collections/skincare-consultations/products/skincare-consultation