Keep reading to learn the causes and signs of a compromised moisture barrier and how to get hydrated, glowing skin. + My favorite gentle skincare routine to help repair the skin’s barrier.

Hydrated skin is an indicator of a balanced moisture barrier, not only does it glow brighter, feel softer, and look more youthful but it will also be stronger, more resilient, less sensitive, and able to protect itself. Dehydration is a common skincare concern that causes skin to lack water content. A damaged skin barrier will lose its ability to regulate hydration. The skin is a detoxifying organ that aids in the removal of toxins. If you’re properly hydrated, your body can remove toxins and poisons from your liver, kidneys, and other parts of your body. Along with toxin removal, hydration levels also improve digestion and circulation. Below we are going to dive deeply into the causes of a damaged skin barrier, and ways to support hydrated skin inside and out. 


WHAT IS THE SKIN’S NATURAL MOISTURE BARRIER?

The natural moisture barrier makes up the upper most layer of our skin called the stratum corneum and consists of a tight layer of skin cells and lipids. This brick-and-mortar like structure acts as the first line of defense, keeping good things in and environmental stressors, bacteria, pollutants, and other irritants out. Our sweat glands and sebaceous glands work together to produce a thin coating of oil (lipids) and water (perspiration) called the acid mantle. This acid mantle our outer skin’s natural protective barrier. The moisture barrier plays a crucial role in retaining hydration, If its structure or composition is compromised, dry skin may result as a consequence of poor water retention.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SKIN BARRIER IS DAMAGED?

• Redness

• “Angry” acne

• Dry/tight feeling

• Shiny, not glowing

• Dullness

• Exaggerated fine lines

• Flaking/scaling

• Slow healing

• Rough texture

• Sensitivity/burning/reactive

TOPICAL WAYS TO DAMAGE/IRRITATE THE SKIN’S BARRIER:

• Over exfoliating

• Benzoyl peroxide

• Sodium lauryl sulphate (harsh surfacing)

• Glycolic acid

• Steroids

• Overuse of strong retinol/retinoids

• Too many drying acne products

• Picking/scratching the skin

• Perfumed/synthetic fragranced products

• Cleansing brushes

• Shaving the face

• Aggressive with rough towels

• Sun burns

• Acne medications

• Simple alcohols in skincare

• DIY remedies such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, toothpaste

INTERNAL DEHYDRATION FACTORS

Toxins
When the liver can’t function properly anymore as a result of EBV infection, it often gets to the point where it can’t handle fats—it can’t process them or protect the bloodstream from too much of them. Higher elevations of fat in the bloodstream reduce oxygen levels delivered to the dermis; less oxygen means that the toxins can’t be flushed out of the skin properly. This means that the skin ends up harboring toxins, which cause the skin to become inflamed and even to erupt in cracks as it tries to release those poisons. – Excerpt from Thyroid Healing by Anthony William, Medical Medium, p55.

Caffeine
Caffeine dehydrates our organs (remember the skin is our body’s largest organ) and can hinder collagen formation. Caffeine products can accelerate aging, and increased caffeine consumption is why some men and women are starting to age earlier in life. One reason caffeine can age the body is long-term, chronic dehydration. Coffee, matcha tea, caffeinated teas, and chocolate are diuretics that force critically needed hydration out of the living cells in your body, essentially starving the cells of what they need. Caffeine is a toxin, a low-grade poison, that prompts your body to want to rid it. Unfortunately, as your body is trying to rid you of this toxin, it throws the toxin out along with important nutrients, trace minerals, phytochemical compounds, critically needed enzymes, and antioxidants. In your body’s attempt to push caffeine out, it has no choice but to push out other important nutrients too. This chronic dehydration and flushing of important nutrients can lead to someone aging well before their time. – Medical Medium

Salt
Sodium levels are essential for hydration, but this is often confused with the stand alone refined table salts and why some people are sprinkling salt in their cup of water. These salts aren't the life giving mineral salts your body needs to function. Table salts are dehydrating and can pull water content out of your organs (your skin) while preserving and drawing in toxins in exchange. The hydrating, alkalizing, mineralizing and energizing salts people are looking for can be found in certain foods such as lemons, limes, celery, cucumbers, spinach, and dulce. Different leafy greens can contain varieties of minerals and are critical forms of electrolytes. 

Alcohol
Alcohol is toxic in any amount so your liver’s job is to suck it all up. Your liver being poisoned by alcohol hinders its ability to acknowledge, decipher, extract, and retain the vitamins, minerals, and other helpful materials that are also coming in through the blood and dehydrating your body in such a deep way. If your liver is unable to extract nutrients, your skin is also going to lose nourishment and antioxidants vital for its healthy appearance.Being dehydrated also makes it very difficult to cleanse or heal. Having hydrated, clear flow from within is critical for having a hydrated, clear glow on the surface.

Hydrating Melons
The water in melon is nearly identical to our blood and the abundant sodium, potassium, and glucose are also bioavailable making melons one of the most hydrating foods you can eat.  Morning melon can make a wonderful addition to your skin food routine, helping to cleanse the lymphatic system, and replenish your skin. Melons work to flush poisons out of the body, are extremely hydrating, alkalizing, and rich in collagen supportive silica. Enjoy whole, blended or juiced to welcome flow and glowing skin from within. 

OVER EXFOLIATING AND OVER MOISTURIZING

Exfoliating can be beneficial for the skin, but you can have too much of a good thing. Stripping your skin’s precious hydrolipid barrier by scrubbing and dissolving it away is one sure way to dehydrate and sensitize your skin. It is the  protective lipid barrier’s job to keep out bacteria, and lock in moisture. We have this beautifully built-in moisturizing system but often over-complicate our skincare routines and disrupt the skin’s natural functions instead of working alongside them. 

Similarly, sometimes too much moisture rich ingredients can over-hydrate the skin, making it weak and more sensitive to resistance and breakdown. A healthy balance of hydration and moisturization is what will propel the skin into optimal health – Dr.Ben Osmosis Beauty. Nutrient rich serums like Calm Gentle Retinal Serum and Correct Preventative Retinal Serum are able to help to naturally train the skin to increase hydration levels in addition to collagen manufacturing.

13 TIPS FOR HYDRATED SKIN

• Focus on products that will help prevent transepidermal water loss such as Vitamin C Regenerative Balm.

• Mimic your skin’s hydrolipid barrier with the “oil and water” method. This simple pairing harmonizes with your skin’s own innate rhythm, supporting its natural defenses and enhances the skin’s ability to detoxify, heal, and hydrate. When layered together oils hold water to the skin, while waters anchor the moisture from the oils more deeply. Damp skin is more absorbent than dry skin, and getting into the habit of applying skincare after using a facial mist, or mixed with one can help boost the skin’s hydration.

• Incorporate a hydrating and nourishing mask.

• Switch to a cream. balm, or oil textured cleanser.

• Moisturize right after showers or baths to avoid dehydrated skin.

• Sleep with a humidifier at your bedside.

• Avoid lip care products with menthol/peppermint as they can dry out the thin delicate skin on the lips.

• Soak in a dead sea salt bath to help soften skin on the body.

• Exfoliate mindfully. If your skin feels dull or rough with build up preventing products from working properly, gently exfoliating could be a good idea, but limit exfoliation if your skin is feeling sensitized, inflamed or damaged.

• Try sipping on aloe water or coconut water to hydrate your skin from within.

• Be aware of dehydrating food/drinks such as caffeine, alcohol, processed salts and sugars, vinegars, and sodas.

• Increase daily fruit intake, raw moisture-rich veggies and mineralizing leafy greens. 

• Use clay masks as a gentle exfoliation alternative

BARRIER BOOSTING SKINCARE ROUTINE:

My favorite routine for compromised skin, post-facial care, or any skin craving a gentle routine:

Lift Away Cleansing Balm
Key Ingredient:
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil – Rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, Vitamin D, E, minerals, protein, lecithin, and fatty acids, said to have healing and regenerating qualities. Shown to help heal wounds and ease dermatological conditions like psoriasis.

Infuse Nutrient Activating Mist
Key Ingredient:
Frequency Enhanced Water | Water enhanced with epidermal growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal frequencies.

Rescue Epidermal Repair Serum
Key Ingredient:
Trioxolane is a natural plant extract with specialized stable oxygen molecules that repair free-radical damage, repair protein damage, and complete the wound healing process.

Vitamin C Regenerative Balm
Key Ingredient:
Cupuaçu Butter is a rare butter derived from the seeds of the cupuacu tree fruit. It has the amazing ability to attract 240% more water than other butters, so it is intensely hydrating and moisturizing. It absorbs easily into skin to make it more supple and elastic and is also deeply reparative. 

Mineral Purifying Clay
Key Ingredient:
French Green Clay mined from bedrock quarries in France, this clay is untreated, sun dried & 100% natural. It contains tons of beneficial minerals like silica, magnesium, calcium, iron, & montmorillonite. Traditionally, this type of clay is said to have the ability to gently exfoliate, absorb toxins & impurities, & to soothe sores & wounds when applied topically.

Our skin is our armor, always working to protect us on the outside while collaborating with our other elimination organs to purge toxins and mirror imbalances on the inside. Learning to listen to the way our skin communicates, prioritizing a balanced moisture barrier, and hydrating the skin from within can help support hydrated, healthy skin on the outside.

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