Why is the skin moisture barrier so important?

Why is the skin moisture barrier so important?

Moisture loss in the skin is a common issue influenced by various factors such as hormonal changes, aggressive laser treatments, dermaplaning, and retinoid use. While these treatments can be beneficial, they can also degrade your skin’s natural moisture barrier. If you're not consistently fortifying your moisture barrier, you’re not maximizing the benefits of these treatments. Essentially, you’re taking two steps forward with a laser treatment but two steps backward without effective foundational skincare products to maintain skin health.

Your skin’s moisture barrier, or stratum corneum, is the outermost layer that protects against environmental aggressors and retains moisture. This layer is made of skin cells bonded in place with a combination of fatty acids, ceramides, and cholesterol. When this barrier is compromised, it can lead to dryness, irritation, and increased sensitivity, negating the positive effects of advanced treatments.

Ensuring daily care for your moisture barrier is crucial. Here’s why and how to achieve it:

  1. Use Hydrating Ingredients: Incorporate products with humectants like snow mushroom and glycerin to attract and retain moisture. Get Quench now.
  2. Seal with Emollients: Emollients such as ceramides and fatty acids help to restore the lipid barrier, ensuring long-lasting hydration. Get Shield now.
  3. Gentle Cleansing: Opt for gentle, non-stripping cleansers to avoid further damage to the moisture barrier. Bare cleanser is coming this fall!
  4. Moisturize Regularly: Complete and consistent moisturizing is key, especially after treatments that can strip the skin of its natural oils. Layering your hydration serum under your oils/balms/creams is the most effective, long-lasting regimen to achieve this. Get The Duo now.

Balancing advanced skincare treatments with daily moisture barrier fortification is essential for achieving and maintaining healthy skin. By prioritizing foundational skincare products that support your moisture barrier, you can enhance the efficacy of treatments and enjoy more radiant, resilient skin.

Back to Cult of Reason blog