Why your skin barrier is kinda a big deal
I think it’s a very appropriate time of year to be writing about skin barriers because it’s the colder months when I feel my skin barrier is most compromised by external factors. But first, let’s chat about what exactly your skin barrier is…
Your skin barrier is actually a pretty big deal! It’s basically the outer most layers of your skin and when kept healthy they are smooth, plump and soft to the touch. When they are damaged skin can feel dry, irritated, dull and rough to the touch. It has 5 mains functions that include acting as a barrier for moisture, immune responses, antioxidants, photoprotection from UV’s and an antimicrobial barrier. So it’s pretty important!
It’s not just colder weather that damages your skins barrier function. Low humidity, UV rays, smoking, pollution, hectic lifestyle and stress are all inflammatory to the skins barrier and can break down its level of protection.
During my ambassadorship with Neutrogena® I have learnt more about how to best take care of your skin barrier, our skin’s first protective layer. A solid skincare routine should be a balancing act of adding in benefits to help skin feel and look better like; hydration, essential fatty acids and antioxidants whilst reducing the less savoury elements like excess oil, dirt and grime, pollution and old makeup.
A cleanser can often be the product in your routine that eliminates most of the dirt and grime by cleaning the skin. With the trend of double or even triple cleansing becoming the norm for younger people who are into their beauty routines and living in polluted cities, you run the risk of over cleansing and potentially damaging your skin barrier. I am pretty much religious in my daily double cleansing, whether it’s with a micellar water and cleansing gel, or just two goes with the cleansing gel (makeup and daily activities depending). So, I have found it super important to use a cleanser that does not strip the skin of its natural oils or compromise the skin barrier in any way.
Lots of cleansers are too harsh and strip the skin of its moisture every time you use it. It’s not uncommon for someone with excess oil or acne to want to use a harsher, more astringent cleanser to remove oil. Daily use of this type of cleansing product can over strip the skin and end up removing the very oils and lipids that keep your skin barrier functioning normally.
Within the Hydro Boost range there are a series of skin-loving cleansers that make freshening and cleaning the skin easy and satisfying whilst maintaining skin hydration levels, so you are protecting that ever-important barrier. The Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser is a particular favourite of mine because it has such a lightweight gel formula that when mixed with water activates into a smooth lather that helps remove oil, dirt and makeup. My skin is left feeling super smooth and clean, but also soft. No tightness or dryness.
The Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Cleansing range uses technology that is patented alongside hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration whilst cleansing. It’s also suitable for sensitive skin types. To use, simply lather onto wet skin and massage your face gently. Rinse thoroughly with luke-warm water (never hot, which I’ve found to be very drying on sensitive facial skin) and follow with your regular skincare.
The Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Cleansing range includes: Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser, Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Gelee Milk Cleanser and Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Triple Micellar Water.
*This blog post is sponsored by Neutrogena.
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