Everyday, the majority of us apply products in the attempt to obtain beautiful, glowy skin, but what if I told you that some of the ways people go about “improving” their skin, can actually wear down the very thing in place to protect it.
Our barrier from the outside world
Our skin naturally has a built in shield, the skin barrier. It is constantly working to fend off things like dust and allergens from penetrating the skin. When in perfect harmony it helps keep our skin:
- Hydrated
- Clear of breakouts
- Protected from age-causing inflammation
- Soothed for irritants
Alternatively, when our skin barrier is broken and damaged our skin can become more prone to breakouts, redness and overall irritation. It also helps the skin stay protected from loss of water which is imperative to the skin’s overall texture and elasticity.
Ways we compromise our skin barrier
In the attempt to achieve better skin, individuals unknowingly destroy their skin barrier by exfoliating their skin incorrectly.
- Harsh beaded exfoliants
- Exfoliating too frequently
- Not properly caring for your skin post-exfoliation
…are all ways to put your skin barrier at risk. Instead, using gentle exfoliants like the Sleekskin® Overnight Facial Exfoliant, made with Glycolic, a naturally-occurring non-toxic Alpha Hydroxy Acid found in Sugar Cane. The Sleekskin® Hibiscus Microderm Scrub is another great option for a gentle exfoliant, great for use 1-2 times per week.
Restoring the skin barrier
Hope is not lost if you have done some damage to your skin barrier. Incorporating products with barrier-restoring into your routine can have your skin back to glowing and protected in no time!
Antioxidants – Getting plenty of A, E and C vitamins can help both protect and restore your skin.The Sleekskin® Brilliance Antioxidant Serum is a potent blend of antioxidants great for fending off UV damage, including damage to the skin’s barrier.
Arnica Extract – This anti-inflammatory skincare ingredient is great for reducing inflammation. Sleekskin® Arnica Barrier Serum contains arnica extract along with cucumber seed oil which are great for reducing redness and restoring the skin barrier.
For more information on safely treating and caring for your skin without compromising your skin’s integrity, contact Sleekskin® Aesthetics today!