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If you’re suffer from dryness, redness or inflammation as soon as the temperatures drop, it could be a sign of a damaged or compromised skin barrier, which means your skin can no longer perform its normal functions optimally.
And while this isn’t ideal from an ~aesthetic~ point of view, it’s also not from a physiological perspective either. Our skin is involved in protecting the body from external pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, as well as helping to reduce the impact of unavoidable environmental stressors like UV radiation, pollution and free radicals.
“It’s important to recognise the signs of a compromised skin barrier early and act quickly,” says Melbourne-based pharmacist Alyssa Dimaggio. “The good news I just because you have damaged your skin barrier once, it doesn’t mean you are more likely to damage it in the feature.”
Ahead, Dimaggio shares simple hacks you can use to keep your skin comfortable and therefore glowing this winter.
Simplify Your Skincare Routine
“Applying too many skincare products or applying products incorrectly can cause irritation and inflammation to the skin,” Dimaggio says.
Don’t Exfoliate Too Hard
“Even though a damaged skin barrier can result in dry and flaky skin, resist the urge to use coarse physical exfoliators or chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid. Rather, focus on using humectants like glycerin, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and fragrance-free moisturisers which can all help to add moisture to the skin and prevent further moisture loss.”
Go Easy on Active Ingredients
“Active ingredients can overstimulate the skin and if used incorrectly can cause inflammation. Active ingredients such as retinoids applied at too high of a concentration, or applying AHAs and BHAs, like glycolic acid and salicylic acid, too frequently can irritate and compromise the skin barrier.”
Use a Skin Renewal Product
“Treat dry skin debris and build up (cue dull-looking skin), with a skin renewal product that uses naturally derived ingredients to be gentle and can be applied daily to keep your complexion looking fresh. I recommend Embryolisse Active Night Peeling ($46).”
Get Enough Sleep
“Over my years as a pharmacist people are often surprised to hear that lack of adequate and restorative sleep can contribute to poor skin barrier function. There’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep, When you sleep, your skin works to rebuild collagen and repair damage caused by UV exposure. If we aren’t getting enough sleep, it affects our skin’s ability to repair and function at its best.”
Apply SPF Daily
“Applying SPF every day is a non-negotiable, especially here in Australia where our UV index can get very high.”
Protect Skin From Pollution
“Protect skin from pollution and free radical damage by using a product that imitates the skin’s barrier and limits the adhesion of fine particles to the surface of the skin. Ongoing stress, smoking and constant exposure to harsh weather, like wind, cooler temperatures, can also contribute to a damaged skin barrier.”
