The functional skin: Understanding skin Barrier function

By Dr. Joesph Nastasi

Your skin does an incredible job of protecting you from the outside world, keeping out harmful substances and locking in much-needed moisture. But this protection comes from a hardworking layer known as the skin barrier. Let’s dive into what makes the skin barrier so important and how you can take care of it with support from NATIVE EXTRACTS.

What is the Skin Barrier and why does it matter?

Think of your skin barrier as a protective wall. It is located in the outermost layer of your skin (the stratum corneum) and consists of corneocytes (dead skin cells) surrounded by a matrix of lipids (such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids). This setup acts like a brick-and-mortar structure—the cells are the bricks, and the lipids are the mortar holding everything together.

To maintain this structure, bioactive ingredients found in NATIVE EXTRACTS’ Red Velvet Oil™ and Native Sandalwood Seed Oil can play a significant role. Red Velvet Oil™, rich in lycopene and linoleic acid, helps stabilise lipid bilayers and replenishes essential fatty acids to prevent moisture loss. Learn more about how to maintain your skin barrier from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Why your Skin Barrier is so important

The skin barrier’s job is to keep the good stuff (like hydration) in and the bad stuff (like bacteria and pollutants) out. Here’s what it does:

• Blocks harmful substances: Keeps environmental toxins, bacteria, and irritants from entering your skin.
• Prevents moisture loss: Maintains hydration by reducing water loss through the skin.
• Supports natural repair: Helps your skin stay resilient and repair itself when exposed to daily stressors.

For antioxidant protection, NATIVE EXTRACTS Kakadu Plum Cellular Extract, known for its high ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) content, can help neutralise free radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. Read more about how antioxidants, specifically ascorbic acid, protect your skin from the Harvard Medical School. For a more in-depth look, consider reading the science behind these processes in this scientific review.

How lipids keep your Skin Barrier strong

Lipids in your skin—ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol—play a key role in keeping the barrier strong and flexible. When these lipids are out of balance, the skin barrier can weaken, leading to issues like:

• Dryness: Your skin feels rough and tight.
• Irritation: Redness and sensitivity become more noticeable.
• Inflammation: Skin may react more easily to allergens and irritants.

What can damage your Skin Barrier?

Several everyday factors can disrupt the skin barrier:

• Too much sun: Overexposure to UV rays breaks down essential lipids and causes free radical damage. Learn more from the Skin Cancer Foundation's UV protection resource.
• Harsh skincare products: Strong soaps, toners with alcohol, and over-exfoliation can strip your skin of natural oils.
• Pollution: Airborne pollutants can weaken your skin’s defences by increasing oxidative stress. Antioxidant-rich extracts like NATIVE EXTRACTS Native River Mint Cellular Extract, are high in rosmarinic acid to help combat pollution-induced damage.
• Poor diet and dehydration: Not drinking enough water or missing out on key nutrients can leave your skin barrier struggling.
• Stress and sleep deprivation: High stress and poor sleep disrupt the skin’s ability to regenerate and produce essential lipids.

How to protect and improve your Skin Barrier

The good news? You can repair and strengthen your skin barrier with some simple, effective changes to your routine.

Protect your Skin Barrier daily:

• Gentle cleansers are key: Swap harsh soaps for pH-balanced cleansers that won’t disrupt your skin. Garnier provides great insights.
• Skip over-exfoliation: Limit exfoliation to a couple of times a week to avoid damaging your skin’s surface.
• Sunscreen is a must: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen every day to shield your skin from UV rays.
• Stay hydrated: Use moisturisers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides.
• Incorporate botanical oils: Ingredients like NATIVE EXTRACTS Native Sandalwood Seed Oil (containing ximenynic and linoleic acids) support lipid replenishment and soothe inflammation.

How to repair a damaged skin barrier:

• Add barrier-boosting ingredients: NATIVE EXTRACTS Emu Bush Cellular Extract, rich in verbascoside, helps reduce inflammation and supports structural repair.
• Use antioxidant serums: NATIVE EXTRACTS Green Tea and White Tea Cellular Extracts provide catechins that combat damage from pollution and UV exposure. Read more from this scientific review.
• Eat for skin health: Include foods rich in omega-3s (like salmon and walnuts) and antioxidants (like berries) in your diet.
• Hydrate from the inside: Drink plenty of water to support overall hydration.

NATIVE EXTRACTS and skin health support

NATIVE EXTRACTS harnesses the power of nature to create extracts that support your skin’s natural defences. Their advanced extraction methods preserve the potency of bioactive compounds for maximum efficacy.

Botanical ingredients that strengthen your skin:

• NATIVE EXTRACTS Red Velvet Oil™: Rich in lycopene and linoleic acid, this upcycled oil improves hydration, reduces oxidative damage, and supports lipid replenishment.
• NATIVE EXTRACTS Kakadu Plum Cellular Extract: Packed with Vitamin C and gallic acid, it boosts collagen synthesis and strengthens the dermal layer.
• NATIVE EXTRACTS Native River Mint Cellular Extract: Rosmarinic acid provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection, ideal for defending against environmental stressors.
• NATIVE EXTRACTS Mountain Pepper Berry Cellular Extract: Its anthocyanins help repair UV-damaged skin and reduce redness.

Why NATIVE EXTRACTS stands out:

With science-backed solutions and a focus on preserving plant potency, NATIVE EXTRACTS' products are designed to strengthen and repair the skin barrier. Their glycerol-based extraction protocol aids in producing ingredients with:

• Enhanced hydration.
• Stronger, more resilient skin.
• Effective, gentle care for sensitive and damaged skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I tell if my skin barrier is damaged?

Look for signs like redness, flakiness, dryness, and increased sensitivity.

What is the skin barrier function?

The skin barrier protects against external irritants and prevents moisture loss.

What ingredients help repair the skin barrier?

Look for extracts containing ceramides, niacinamide, antioxidants, and fatty acids—such as NATIVE EXTRACTS Quandong Cellular Extract and NATIVE EXTRACTS Red Velvet Oil™.

Can harsh skincare damage the skin barrier?

Yes, using harsh cleansers or over-exfoliating can strip away essential oils and weaken your skin’s defences.

How long does it take to repair a damaged skin barrier?

With the right care, improvements can be seen in as little as a few days to a few weeks.

What’s the best way to protect my skin barrier?

Use gentle, hydrating products and apply sunscreen daily to keep your skin barrier strong.

In Summary

Your skin barrier is your first line of defence, and taking care of it is key to maintaining healthy, glowing skin. You can keep your skin protected and resilient by making small changes—like switching to barrier-friendly products and staying hydrated. With NATIVE EXTRACTS’ innovative botanical formulations—like NATIVE EXTRACTS Red Velvet Oil™, Kakadu Plum Cellular Extract, and Mountain Pepper Berry Extract—you can give your skin the extra support it needs to look and feel its best.