What is a moisture barrier, and why should I care about mine?
We could talk about your moisture barrier all day! First, let’s look at what a moisture barrier is, and then some reasons why we should treat it well.
Wait, what is it and what does it do?
The skin’s moisture barrier, or acid mantle, is the protective outer layer of the skin. It’s physically made up of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, lipids (oils) and cells. These lipids are made up of ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids. The moisture barrier protects from things like bacteria, potential irritants, and dehydration. It also keeps water in the skin, which keeps our skin feeling comfortable, and appearing dewy and smooth. Essentially, it’s like a force field - keeps the bad stuff out and the good stuff in.
Is an intact moisture barrier essential to skin health?
Yep! When our moisture barrier is compromised, so is our skin’s health. We’re talking dry, rough and flaky texture, tight and itchy, accompanied by sensitivity, redness, and inflammation. And when our skin is in this condition, it leaves us susceptible to bacteria and irritants, which can lead to further complications such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, acne, and other skin conditions. For this reason, it’s super important that we make moisture barrier health and maintenance a priority.
So wait, how does my moisture barrier become compromised?
Most often we see a compromised moisture barrier from overuse of harsh products that strip the skin, but unfortunately other ways this can happen. Some examples of culprits are:
repeated use of the incorrect cleanser for your skin type
over exfoliation, such as overuse of products with high percentages of strong ingredients such as AHAs or harsh scrubs
not using moisturizer or using the wrong one for your skin
overuse of certain at-home skincare tools, such as hard bristle cleansing devices.
Environmental stressors, such as too much sun, wind, and extreme cold or heat (think hot showers), can also contribute. We do see that for some people diet can have an impact, such as too much alcohol or caffeine. It’s worth noting, though, that more research is needed on the topic of diet and the moisture barrier in general.
So, it’s my fault? Crap! Can we fix it?
There’s no room for blaming ourselves when it comes to skincare. There’s a lot of noise out there because skincare has become so popular. Trends emerge everyday. The only thing that comes out even faster? Skincare brands! It can be hard to know what’s what. And when we are trying to address an issue with our skin that really bothers us, we’ll try almost anything. That’s a totally normal feeling and response, so just know it’s not your fault.
And the good news?! Typically, the moisture barrier can be repaired. We usually see this repair process take about a month, but it can take up to a year, depending on the current condition of the skin. It’s about finding the right balance of products with ingredients that can heal, soothe, and deeply hydrate the skin, while also addressing the other contributing factors. That’s where we come in! The FSA Advanced Consultation analyzes all of the various components causing an impaired moisture barrier. Then we tailor the solutions to your skin, so you leave with a personalized, simplified plan. Addressing moisture barrier health first can also make addressing your other skin concerns and goals a bit simpler because we often see that most concerns stem from an impaired moisture barrier. Plus, healthy skin responds so much quicker to corrective treatments. It’s all about healing and strengthening your skin to get healthy, smooth, and yes dare we say it, glowing skin.