Simply BEAUTIFUL
Here’s how to uncomplicate your beauty regimen and reap the benefits…
From dermatologists and aestheticians to skincare enthusiasts, it looks as though beauty lovers are paring back their skincare routines. Why? Since the skincare boom, we’ve all made it our mission to test out and incorporate every beauty innovation into our routines without truly understanding whether our skin needs them or not.
As a result, our skin barrier has been left in desperate need of some TLC. We spoke with Dr Ryan De Cruz, Dermal Therapy brand ambassador and founder of Southern Dermatology Melbourne, on the ways we can protect our skin and keep our complexions as healthy and radiant as possible.
What is a skin barrier and what does it do?
Think of your skin barrier as the layer of skin that we touch, the layer that we apply our copious amount of skincare to. “Our skin barrier protects skin from dehydration through a process known as ‘trans epidermal water loss’ and prevents penetration of bacteria, viruses, dust particles, house dust mite, allergens and irritants,”
Dr De Cruz explains.
How does damage to the skin barrier occur?
It’s easy to do, thanks to “excessive heat, dryness, mechanical irritation (excessive exfoliation, dermabrasion, chemicals or clothing), UV radiation, inflammation from skin disease and use of inappropriate skincare,” says Dr De Cruz. However, the lines are blurry between skin that is prone to irritation from everyday products and skin that reacts to only certain products.
“It may present with signs of ‘sensitive skin’ whereby the skin reacts with redness, burning, itch, irritation, dryness and flakiness to even the most basic of products,” Dr De Cruz explains.
How can I repair my damaged skin barrier?
According to Dr De Cruz, the best way to repair skin is to pack away your extravagant beauty products and reach for the basics until you're healed.
“The best way to soothe and repair a damaged skin barrier is to use basic,
soap-free cleansers that are phbalanced and rich in the natural lipids that are found in the skin,” he advises. “Ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide, shea butter and colloidal oatmeal have been proven clinically to repair a damaged skin barrier and are found in products such as the Dermal Therapy eczema range.”
How can I protect my skin barrier in the future?
“Keeping it simple is key. There’s no need for a thousand-step routine,” Dr De Cruz says. “Simply use a basic, hydrating cleanser, moisturising lotion or cream, and SPF30+ on a daily basis to keep the skin barrier healthy and intact.”
He adds, “Any ‘active’ skincare ingredients should be used gently and slowly, and introduced one at a time, to prevent the skin from being overwhelmed.
“Exfoliation in particular should only be undertaken once or twice per week, with gentle products, in people who genuinely need to exfoliate above the skin’s normal processes (eg people who suffer from acne or keratosis pilaris).”