We often talk about the mystical skin barrier, but do you know why it's actually so important? And how to keep it healthy? And how do you know if yours is damaged? All these questions will be answered in today's article. Keep reading. 

What is the skin barrier?

In fact, we call the skin barrier the outermost layer of the skin. It is our shield. The skin barrier performs two main functions: 

1. Protects against harmful environmental influences (such as cold, pollution, etc.). 

2. Retains all the beneficial substances deep in the skin (those that the serum, for example, supplies us with). The strength of the skin barrier is key to a hydrated, radiant and even complexion. 

Signs of a broken skin barrier

There are a few surefire ways your skin will signal you if you're not taking proper care of your skin barrier. If you have a damaged skin barrier, you may experience some of the following skin problems: irritated or itchy skin, skin infections, delayed healing of pimples, redness, dryness, dehydration, feeling tight and stretched.

Once you've figured out what the signs are, it's good to tell you what can lead to them as well. 

What can damage your skin barrier?

Because our skin barrier is constantly "fighting" and protecting us from damage, sometimes it suffers too. Here are some of the biggest causes of a damaged skin barrier:

• Excessive exfoliation of the skin. *It is good to do this once a week depending on the product. 
• Smoking and cigarette smoke in particular damage the skin barrier. 
• Lack of sleep and stress - besides our general health, also affect our skin. 
• Nutrient-deficient diet. 
• Chemical peels, acne medications. 
• Pollution and the windy and dry climate, as well as excessive exposure to UV rays. 
• Using cleansers with strong chemicals that strip the skin of its natural oils. 
• Using any facial products that are harsh on the skin can lead to the breakdown of the skin barrier. 

How can you improve your skin barrier?

We've come to the most important part, which is how to protect your skin barrier from damage and help it fight the external factors that we can't escape. 

Stop with the intense scrubbing. Be it with an exfoliating product, a cleanser, or even with the towel after washing. Be gentle on your skin, choose natural products that nourish without exhausting.

Wash your face only with lukewarm water, not hot! Washing your skin with water that is too hot will strip it of its natural oils and cause further damage.

Use the right products without strong chemicals! Choosing the right ingredients in your skincare is key to your skin barrier.