Know Your Skin Barrier

Skin - The Largest Organ 

It is alive! Yes, you heard that right. Our skin is active, living tissue. Believe it or not, the skin is our body's most ardent defender against external threats. As we all know, the skin has three main layers—epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis—each with several sub-layers that perform unique, specialized functions.

The Skin Barrier: The Outer Layer of the Epidermis

The skin barrier is the outermost part of the epidermis, scientifically known as the stratum corneum. Scientists often liken the structure of the stratum corneum to a brick wall.

Being the largest organ of the human body, the skin is also the most exposed to external threats. This means that the skin barrier serves as the first line of defense against environmental stressors and irritants. To be effective, this layer needs to be as strong as possible. If it is not well cared for, the skin barrier will weaken due to environmental stressors, and you may lose that healthy, smooth skin you once had.

Many of us think these are just common skin problems and often blame our genes. While this is true to a certain extent, there are other factors that cause the skin barrier to weaken, and these factors are within our control. What are these factors, you might wonder?

• Overexposure to the sun
• Over-exfoliation or over-cleansing the face (yes, this is something most people do not realize)
• Use of steroids
• Stress

What Are the Signs of a Weakened Skin Barrier?

• Lack of skin elasticity
• Dry and itchy skin
• Premature aging/wrinkles
• Uneven skin tone/pigmentation
• Increased sensitivity/redness
• Acne

How to Protect and Restore the Skin Barrier

Some might suggest going back to basics with your skincare regimen, while others might recommend a 10-12 step skincare routine daily. We recommend having your skin analyzed by experts to understand the root cause of your skin issues, your skin condition and type, and what your skin can and cannot tolerate. Let the experts help you tailor the best skincare regimen for you. We would also like you to know that we offer some of the best skin barrier protection products suitable for most skin types.

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Best Pick - Skin Barrier Strengthening Products

1. Face Lotion/Toner

Many people skip this step and think that a face toner or lotion is not necessary. However, the truth is that every time you wash your face, you are not only removing dirt but also stripping away skin oils and lipids. The right face lotion or toner can help to rebalance your skin’s pH level. At Sothys, we understand the issues we all face with our skin and know that one generic product cannot solve all problems. That’s why we offer face lotions and toners that cater to individual skin concerns.

2. Moisturizer/Hydration Cream

The skin barrier defends our body against environmental threats while simultaneously protecting our body's critical water balance. Ensuring that your skin retains and locks in sufficient moisture is important for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Moisturizers that contain ceramides or hyaluronic acid can help seal in moisture.

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3. Ultra-Lipid SOS Serum

This is one of our favorite oil serums. Suitable for all skin types, it is formulated with grape flower stem cells, organic precious argan oil, and phytosqualane derived from olive oil. Rich in Vitamin E, it also helps with dry skin. Formulated to immediately soothe feelings of discomfort and restore balance to the skin's ecosystem, the Ultra-Lipid SOS Serum helps to rebuild the protective barrier, protect the skin microbiota, and comfort the skin.

4. Hydra Hyaluronic Acid⁴ Intensive Serum

4x moisturizing power. This scientifically proven formulation will help you hydrate the skin. This serum consists of four different types of hyaluronic acid designed to work like a skin architect, aiming to lastingly boost hydration mechanisms. It contains active ingredients such as 1055 Boletus Extract and Organic Rowan Berry Peptides.

The Bottom Line

With all of this in mind, we also strongly recommend that you get sufficient sleep at night and reduce your exposure to blue light (stop scrolling your IG and TikTok accounts at night). Investing in the right home care products is excellent, but we must also do our part: rest well, reduce UV exposure, eat healthily, and drink plenty of water.

Until next time!

Signing Off.

Sylvie