Are you tired of dealing with a dull-looking complexion? Have you started to notice pesky signs of skin damage staring back at you in the mirror? Maybe it’s acne scars, sunspots, or fine lines that seem to have taken up residence on your canvas.
But fear not, because the journey to repairing some of the visible signs of skin damage and restoring your natural radiance begins right here.
What is Your Skin Barrier?
The skin barrier is the unsung hero of our body’s defense system. Also known as the epidermal barrier, it works as a protective shield to keep your skin healthy and balanced. It’s made up of a combination of cells, lipids, and proteins that form a layer between the underlying living layers of your skin and the external environment.
Its primary duties are to keep your skin hydrated so that all of the skin’s important functions can continue effectively, as well as to act as a fortress to shield it from harmful pollutants, irritants, bacteria, and external aggressors.
Your complexion is protected and kept smooth, supple, and robust when your skin barrier is strong.
What Causes Skin Damage?
In addition to lifestyle factors, such as stress and lack of sleep, various external factors such as weather, pollution, use of overly-harsh skincare products for your skin type can compromise your complexion, leading to issues like dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation.
But it’s important to note that everyone’s skin is unique, and what may cause damage to one person’s skin may not affect another in the same way.
However, to keep you mindful, here are a few common factors:
- Over cleansing – excessive cleansing runs the risk of stripping your skin from its natural oils, which may imbalance the skin.
- Environmental factors – exposure to harsh weather conditions, such as extreme cold or dryness, as well as environmental pollutants and UV radiation can contribute to a compromised skin barrier and lead to further skin damage.
- Unsuitable skin care products – introducing too many or the wrong skin care products for your skin (e.g. a high level of retinol too soon, without your skin building up its tolerance), may can irritate your complexion over time.
- Lifestyle habits – if you’re a night owl and often distract yourself from getting the recommended hours of sleep (7-8 hours), it can take a toll on your skin’s healthy appearance.
- Water temperature – when washing your face, using water that is too hot may damage the integrity of your skin’s barrier. This is because using water that is too hot could strip your natural oils. The ideal water temperature is lukewarm.
- Age – as we age, our skin barrier functions can naturally start to decline, making it more susceptible to damage.
- Genetics – some may be genetically predisposed to having a weaker skin barrier, making them more prone to experiencing barrier-related issues.
The Signs of Skin Damage
If you’ve noticed a recent decline in your skin’s radiance, you might be curious if damaged skin is to blame. Let’s explore some prevalent indicators that suggest your skin may be damaged:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone
- Uneven texture
- Dryness and dehydration
- Loss of firmness
- Increased sensitivity
- Visible signs of redness and irritation
How to Repair Skin Damage
To answer the most important question – are visible signs of skin damage reversible? The answer is yes. Signs of skin damage can be reversed to a certain extent, depending on the severity and underlying causes.
Following a healthy lifestyle and a consistent skincare routine can be the stepping stone to improving the health of your skin. Here are a few of our tips for repairing signs of skin damage and restoring the radiance on your canvas.
1. Fuel Your Body with a Balanced Diet
Nourishing your body with vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may be able to maintain good levels of proteins and lipids in the skin barrier. There is strong evidence of links between general health and how your skin look and feels on the outside
2. Exercise
Exercise really is the gift that keeps on giving. With its endless health and fitness benefits, it can also work wonders for your complexion. This is because it can help promote healthy circulation, which could deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells.
3. Prioritize Your Sleep
Adequate sleep helps to support the repair and regeneration of your skin cells. You should aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to support the rejuvenation process of your skin.
By harmonizing the health of your body and skin, you can unlock a luminosity that shines through.
4. Use Sun Protection
Protecting your skin from harmful UV radiation is essential for maintaining a healthy complexion. Even if the sun isn’t out, UV rays can still penetrate through clouds, making SPF an essential item in your skincare regime to minimize the risk of skin damage.
5. Exfoliate Once a Week
Lightly exfoliating your complexion can help replenish your skin by removing the excess cells and decongesting your pores.
It’s important to opt for a light exfoliator that isn’t harsh on the skin like our Lift and Luminate Dual Action Cleansing Exfoliator. Powered by vitamins C, E, and B5, this product contains gentle exfoliating particles to lightly buff and renew your skin cells, without causing further damage.
6. Maintain Hydration
Hydration plays a crucial role in protecting your skin from the inside out. A damaged epidermis requires moisture, so drink up and reach for replenishing creams and serums like our brand-new Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum and our Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream.
Our new serum and night cream are powered by Pepticology™, a patent-pending peptide technology, and are designed to reverse the appearance of skin damage.
