The Importance of Protecting Your skin Barrier During Winter
Winter can be harsh on your skin, especially if you already struggle with concerns like dehydration, uneven skin tone, dullness, or sensitivity.
“The skin barrier, an intricate protective layer, becomes particularly vulnerable as the cold, dry air and harsh environmental conditions wreak havoc on our skin, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and discomfort,” explains Bradley Wagemaker, medical director and co-founder of Lamelle Research Laboratories. “Safeguarding our skin barrier during winter and implementing effective measures to maintain its health and integrity is something that everyone should be aiming for when reassessing their beauty regime during this time.”
Understanding the skin barrier
The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, has three layers with the first being the stratum corneum. This layer is made up of dead skin cells called corneocytes.
“If you think of a brick wall the corneocytes would be the bricks – flat and tightly packed. These ‘bricks’ are surrounded by ‘cement’, the lipid bi-layer, which holds everything in place. Together they form a physical barrier that prevents the entry of harmful substances, such as bacteria, allergens, and pollutants, into the deeper layers of the skin,” explains Wagemaker.
When this lipid bi-layer becomes compromised or damaged, resulting in a weaker structure, our skin becomes dry and sensitive. Before implementing ways in which to stop this from happening, it is important to first understand how the lipid bi-layer can become damaged:
- Increased Trans-epidermal Water Loss (TEWL): Cold weather and low humidity levels can lead to water evaporating more readily from the skin’s surface. As a result, the lipid bilayer is unable to effectively prevent excessive water loss, which can lead to dryness and dehydration.
- Disruption of Lipid Barrier: Harsh environmental conditions, such as cold winds and low humidity, can disrupt the integrity of the lipid bilayer. The lipid molecules that make up the barrier can become disorganised or damaged, making it less effective in preventing water loss and protecting the skin.
- Reduced Sebum Production: In colder temperatures, the sebaceous glands that produce sebum (the skin’s natural oil) tend to be less active. Sebum plays a vital role in maintaining the lipid bilayer and preventing moisture loss. When sebum production decreases, the lipid barrier can become compromised, resulting in drier skin.
- Thicker Stratum Corneum: Exposure to cold temperatures can cause the stratum corneum to become thicker. This is a natural protective response of the skin to withstand harsh conditions. However, a thicker stratum corneum can impede the efficient diffusion of moisture and hinder the skin’s ability to absorb hydrating substances.
Tips to protect your skin and the lipid bi-layer
Knowing how the lipid bi-layer can become damaged, makes it easier to implement solutions to protect it, giving you the best chance of healthy skin during winter. Wagemaker suggests trying the following tips to effectively protect your skin and the lipid bi-layer:
- One of the primary reasons for protecting the skin barrier during winter is to combat excessive moisture loss resulting in dry, dehydrated skin that is prone to itching, flaking, and even painful cracks.Using a range such as Lamelle’s Serra which has been formulated to rebuild your skin’s lipid bi-layer by restoring your skin barrier and providing your skin with what it needs to survive the colder weather. By restoring the skin barrier, Serra alleviates dryness, redness and irritation returning your skin to its healthy status. This range includes Lamelle’s patented Ceramide-P which mimics the lipids in your skin so that it is recognised as your own and uses it to fill in the gaps in your skin barrier. Restoring pH levels and strengthening the lipid bi-layer to hold in moisture. Read our full review of some of the Serra range products here.
- Winter conditions can compromise the skin’s protective barrier, stripping away its natural oils and upsetting its delicate pH balance making the skin more susceptible to external irritants and environmental stressors. Wearing appropriate clothing, including gloves, scarves, and hats, to shield your skin from cold winds and extreme temperatures minimises the negative impact of these elements and preserves the skin’s health.
- Winter often exposes our skin to various potential irritants, such as hot water, harsh soaps, and detergents compromising the skin’s protective barrier, resulting in irritation, redness, and inflammation. By prioritising the protection of the skin barrier, we fortify its resilience and reduce the risk of negative reactions. Opting for gentle cleansers and avoiding prolonged exposure to hot water can help maintain the barrier’s integrity.
Caring for your skin barrier during winter is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin. By understanding the significance of preserving moisture balance, shielding against harsh weather elements, alleviating sensitivities, defending against irritants, and strengthening the skin defence, your skin health will remain and improve during this time.