Rising pollution levels have various detrimental effects on our health and one of them is also on our skin. Though not commonly recognised due to lack of awareness, skin barrier dysfunction is a stark reality that damages our skin’s ability to protect us from infections and thus makes us susceptible to infections.
The human epidermis contains epithelial cells, immune cells, and microbes which provide a physical and functional barrier to the protection of human skin. It plays critical roles in preventing environmental allergen penetration into the human body and their reaction to microbial pathogens. Multiple factors, including immune dysregulation, filaggrin mutations, deficiency of antimicrobial peptides, and skin dysbiosis contribute to skin barrier dysfunction.
Also Read: Know your skin type to use to right serum
Understanding skin barrier
Your skin barrier is essential for your overall health and needs to be protected to help your body function properly.
The outermost layer, called the stratum corneum, is often described as a brick wall that consists of tough skin cells called corneocytes that are bound together by mortar-like lipids. This is your skin barrier.
Inside the skin cells, or “bricks,” you’ll find keratin and natural moisturisers. The lipid layer contains cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides
Without this fantastically thin brick wall, various harmful environmental toxins and pathogens could penetrate your skin and cause adverse effects inside your body. Also, without your skin barrier, the water inside your body would escape and evaporate, leaving you completely dehydrated.
What is skin barrier dysfunction
The epidermis consists of a 15- to 30-nm-thick layer of proteins and lipids, and provides a physical and functional barrier to the human body. The physical skin barrier is mainly localised to the uppermost area of the epidermis which is the cornified layer. Epidermal barrier proteins, including lack of filaggrin (FLG), TGs, keratins, loricrin and intercellular proteins, are cross-linked to form an impermeable skin barrier. Skin barrier dysfunction facilitates allergen sensitisation and leads to systemic allergic responses, such as increased IgE levels and airway hyperreactivity.
The skin is one of the largest immunologic organs in the body and a continuous target for allergic and immunologic responses. Impairment of the skin barrier or skin barrier dysfunction increases the likelihood of external antigens and pathogens entering and creating inflammation, which can potentially lead to skin infections, allergies, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic and contact dermatitis.
External and internal factors that can affect your skin barrier
- Too humid or too dry environment
- Allergens, irritants, and pollutants
- Too much sun exposure
- Alkaline detergents and soaps
- exposure to harsh chemicals
- Over-exfoliation or over-washing
- Ateroids
- Psychological distress
- Genetic factors that may make you more prone to certain skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis
Signs and symptoms
When your skin barrier is not functioning properly, you may be more prone to developing the following skin symptoms and conditions:
- Dry, scaly skin
- Itchiness
- Rough or discolored patches
- Acne
- Sensitive or inflamed areas
- Bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections
- Treatment of skin barrier dysfunction
Moisturisers, including petrolatum, physiological lipid mixtures, and ceramide-dominant triple-physiolosic lipid play critical roles in the management of skin barrier dysfunction. They improve clinical symptoms and skin barrier function, and reduce bacterial colonisation.
Adequate levels of micronutrients such as vitamins are important to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier as deficiencies and toxicities can disturb the skin barrier function.
Not all skincare ingredients work for everyone. That’s why you may want to try a few different products or a combination of some to determine which one works best for keeping your skin healthy, protected, and well moisturised, going by your skin type and aligning it with the pH rating of your product.
