A prerequisite for healthy, firm skin
The skin barrier is the natural protective covering of our skin. It is the best prerequisite for healthy, long-term smooth and youthful skin. Therefore, a really good facial care product should primarily contain ingredients that are similar to the structure of the natural skin barrier.
What is the skin barrier made of?
The skin barrier is the outermost part of the skin (epidermis) in which new skin cells are constantly being formed. During their development, the skin cells migrate from the lower basal layer (stratum basale) upwards into the horny layer (stratum corneum), where they lose their cell nucleus and form the skin barrier as “dead cells”. The horny cells (corneocytes) are surrounded by the skin's own fats (lipids). The lipids consist of ceramides, phosphatodylcholine, squalene, cholesterol and free fatty acids. The skin barrier is like a brick wall (the horny cells) held together with mortar (the skin's own lipids).
What is the role of the skin barrier?
- Skin's own immune protection
The skin barrier reduces the sensitivity of the skin, it prevents microorganisms such as unwanted bacteria, viruses or fungi from penetrating the skin from the outside as damaging environmental factors and upsetting the healthy skin flora, the so-called microbiome. A strong barrier layer protects the skin from cold, wind, dry heating air, UV radiation, dirt and dust particles that can cause redness, itching, impurities or inflammatory skin disorders.
- Improved moisture retention
A damaged or weakened skin barrier accelerates the evaporation of moisture through the skin. The result is premature sagging and wrinkling of the skin. The skin barrier reduces water loss through the skin (TEWL = transepidermal water loss). It is essential for the skin's ability to bind and store moisture. As an effective anti-aging strategy, a strong skin barrier delays the aging process of the skin cells. The skin remains healthy in the long term and retains its youthful radiance.
How does the acid mantle strengthen the skin barrier?
The horn cells as the outermost layer of the epidermis are reinforced by another additional protection: the acid mantle. The acid mantle is part of the skin barrier. It consists of tallow (sebum), sweat and shed components of the horny cells. This slightly greasy hydro-lipid film has the task of ensuring a slightly acidic environment on the skin's surface. The pH value of our skin is ideally - depending on the body region - between approx. 4.7 to 5.5.
The slightly acidic environment ensures a healthy colonization of the skin's surface with the desired bacteria, viruses and fungi. As healthy skin flora, they form the microbiome, a blanket that lies over our skin, protecting it from the intrusion of unwanted microbes and keeping the skin in balance.
Conclusion
In order to give the skin everything it really needs, a high-quality and healthy face cream should be based on the skin's own protective layer, i.e. the skin barrier.
If you opt for skin-identical natural cosmetics without unnecessary additives such as usual emulsifiers, alcohol or fragrances, you will soon notice a significant improvement in your skin condition and you can look forward to firmer, soft and healthy skin.
