Your skin is an important organ and it needs to be properly looked after. Although your skin cells have their own natural abilities to regenerate and recover from damage, there are plenty of things that you can do to improve the health of your skin.
You can buy a range of skincare products that nourish and hydrate your skin, and others that reduce excess oils and prevent blemishes. It’s not just creams and lotions that contribute to your skin’s health.
Environmental chemicals and pollution, ultraviolet rays from the sun, and eating a diet that lacks adequate nutrients can all contribute to poor skin health. Making positive lifestyle changes is key to boosting the health and appearance of your skin.
One of the key functions of the skin is to provide a physical barrier to protect your internal organs and tissues. When it comes to keeping your skin as healthy as possible, identifying ways to improve its strength should be one of your top priorities.
What is the Skin Barrier and What is its Purpose?
The skin consists of several layers and each one has its own important functions. The outer layer of the skin that is exposed to your external environment is called the stratum corneum. It is made out of corneocytes, which are cells that form a strong physical barrier.
The internal layers of the skin are made from proteins called keratin, collagen, and elastin, as well as cholesterol and ceramides that provide extra protection.
Because the skin has so many layers, it reduces the chances of pathogens and chemicals penetrating deep into the skin and entering the body. The skin, therefore, reduces the risk of bacterial or viral infections and keeps your body healthy.
How Can You Improve the Strength of Your Skin Barrier?
There are lots of great ways to strengthen your skin barrier, including the use of skin barrier paste, strengthening creams, and beneficial plant oils. Take a look at the top tips below to boost your skin’s health and improve its protective functions.
Reduce the Number of Products That You Use
It might sound counterproductive to minimize your skincare routine when you’re trying to improve the strength of your skin. However, overusing creams, balms, and lotions can reduce the effectiveness of your skin barrier.
Using several products at once can cause more harm than good. Certain chemicals and compounds can interact and reduce the effectiveness of one another, rendering the products useless. So, you end up spending money on skincare products that aren’t effective.
Overcomplicating your skincare routine and using the wrong products can damage your skin and exacerbate existing skin health conditions, especially if your skin is naturally very sensitive.
If you’re not sure which products are the best for your skin type, book a consultation with a dermatologist. They will be able to test your skin and figure out which ingredients to avoid and which to look out for in your skincare products.
Use Plant-Based Oils to Rejuvenate Your Skin Cells
Applying plant oils directly onto the skin can lower levels of inflammation, as shown by a 2018 study. They are often used in massage therapy for this reason. Many plant-based oils also have antiseptic properties and can limit the growth of pathogens on the skin’s surface.
Some of the best plant oils for your skin include:
- Almond oil
- Argan oil
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Rosehip oil
- Pomegranate seed oil
- Safflower seed oil
- Soybean oil
- Sunflower oil
Most skincare products contain at least one of the above plant oils because of the many benefits that these oils can provide. If you want to boost skin cell repair and strength, search for products that contain a combination of oils. You can apply many products directly onto the skin or massage the oils into your skin until they get absorbed.
Additionally, you may want to look at implementing foods that are more focused on improving your skin and overall health.
Find Products With Other Beneficial Compounds
It’s not just plant oils that can strengthen your skin barrier. There is a range of beneficial ingredients that are often included in skincare products because of their health-boosting effects.
Search for products that contain hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and glycerin. Each of the compounds can provide moisture and nourishment to improve the health of your skin and boost skin cell regeneration.
Keeping your skin hydrated with moisturizing ingredients is key to maintaining a strong barrier to protect the inner tissues of your body.
