When your skin barrier isn’t functioning properly, you may be more prone to developing the following skin symptoms and conditions:
dry, scaly skin
itchiness
rough or discolored patches
acne
sensitive or inflamed areas
bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections
How to protect and restore your skin barrier
Given the importance of maintaining your skin barrier and acid mantle, what can you do to keep them both healthy and functional? Let’s look at five strategies that can help.
Simplify your skin care routine
If you’re performing a complicated daily skin regimen involving a basketful of products, you may be inadvertently weakening your skin barrier. Consider talking to a dermatologist or skin care expert about which products are essential and most effective.
If you’re exfoliating, notice how your skin reacts to the method you use. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, those with sensitive skin and darker skin tones may want to use a soft cloth and a mild chemical exfoliant.
Some types of scrubs and brushes may temporarily damage your skin barrier.
Pay attention to pH
Your skin’s delicate acid mantle hovers around a pH of 5.7. But the pH of some skin products can range from 3.7, all the way up to 8.2.
Researchers recommend cleansing with a product that’s close to your skin’s natural pH.
Keeping your skin’s pH at a healthy level may help protect you from skin conditions such as dermatitis, ichthyosis, acne, and Candida albicans infections. Although not all products list their pH, some do.
