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Institut Nohèm : 275 Av. du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny 44500 La Baule-Escoublac | Tél: +33(0)2 40 01 79 69
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Our skin reflects our health: it's a living, intelligent organ, constantly interacting with our external environment . On the skin's surface , a delicate balance is maintained between protection , immune response , and adaptation. At the heart of this complex system lies the skin barrier, an essential and often overlooked player. Understanding its mechanisms and protective role means learning how to care for it naturally and respectfully. We'll explain everything!
Skin, a marvel of ingenuity
The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and arguably the most versatile. It protects us from external aggressions, regulates our temperature, and connects us to the world through touch. With a surface At approximately two square meters, it constitutes a veritable natural shield, equipped with sophisticated defense mechanisms .
Every day, it faces numerous challenges: pollution, climate variations, oxidative stress, cosmetic products, and friction from clothing. To fulfill these multiple functions, the skin is organized into three distinct layers, each playing a specific protective role .
The three layers of the skin: an architecture at the service of defense
- The epidermis , the outermost layer, acts as a barrier. Its superficial part, the stratum corneum, along with the hydrolipidic film, limits water loss and blocks the entry of unwanted microorganisms. This is where the skin barrier is located, our body's first line of defense.
- The thicker dermis is rich in collagen and elastin, two essential proteins that ensure firmness and elasticity. It also houses immune cells, ready to trigger an immune response in case of injury.
- The hypodermis , finally, serves as a protective cushion and energy reserve.
These three layers work together to maintain healthy, resilient and comfortable skin, capable of reacting effectively to the effects of external aggressions.
The skin, a living ecosystem
The skin is a self-contained ecosystem, populated by a rich and diverse skin microbiota. This microbiota, or skin flora, is home to billions of microorganisms that actively participate in our natural defenses. It plays an essential protective role by strengthening the skin barrier, preventing infections, and regulating pH.
When this balance is disrupted, symptoms appear: dryness, redness, irritation, even inflammation or infections. These signs betray a weakened skin barrier, less able to fulfill its protective and immune response functions.
The skin barrier: guardian of our balance against the external environment
The skin barrier
Located on the surface of the skin , it is the first line of defense against aggressions. It functions like a wall of bricks and cement: dead cells (the "bricks") are bound together by lipids (the "cement"), forming a coherent and protective structure.
The hydrolipidic film
This protective layer, a mixture of water and oils, coats the skin and maintains its balance. It preserves hydration, prevents the penetration of pathogens, and supports the microbiota. When this layer is weakened, the skin becomes more vulnerable: tightness, redness, and inflammation can occur.
A key role for our immune system
The skin barrier does more than just protect: it actively participates in the skin's immune response . It detects threats, triggers warning signals, and promotes tissue repair. When it is damaged, the skin loses some of its defenses, which can lead to symptoms of sensitivity or irritation.
What puts our skin to the test: the effects of the external environment
Daily assaults
Every day, our skin is subjected to a multitude of harmful external factors : urban pollution, oxidative stress, UV rays, temperature variations, and unsuitable cosmetic products. These aggressions can disrupt the skin's protective mechanisms , weaken its barrier, and trigger an excessive immune response , leading to inflammation .
The seasons, age and our habits
In winter, cold, dry air weakens the skin barrier; in summer, the sun and perspiration dry it out. With age, the natural production of sebum and lipids decreases, making the skin more sensitive and dehydrated. Even certain habits, such as excessively hot showers or lack of sleep, can weaken our skin's defenses and worsen sensitivity symptoms .
How to identify a weakened skin barrier?
The signs are often visible: tightness, tingling, redness, pimples, or roughness. Skin that dehydrates easily or reacts to everything is generally skin with a compromised barrier. When the skin's flora is disrupted, imbalances appear: dryness, eczema, blemishes… These symptoms betray a disturbed immune response and underlying inflammation .
The right steps to strengthen your natural defenses
Clean without stripping
The first step in pampering your skin is to cleanse it gently, with a mild cleanser like our gentle cleansing jelly , which will cleanse and leave a protective film on your skin. A cleanser that is too harsh can damage the hydrolipidic film and disrupt the pH balance, thus weakening the skin barrier's protective function .
Hydration, the key to resilient skin
Hydration is essential for maintaining cell cohesion and preventing water loss. Choose a rich cream, such as our super radiance hydration serum or our moisturizing and antioxidant cream, which will hydrate and protect your skin from external aggressors. It supports the skin's natural repair mechanisms and limits the harmful effects of the external environment .
A minimalist and adapted routine
No need to accumulate products! A simple and consistent routine with 2-in-1 products, tailored to your skin type, is enough to restore balance. Too many products can disrupt the skin's natural flora and create unwanted reactions, such as inflammation or an excessive immune response .
Ingredients that are kind to the skin barrier
For healthy, soothed skin, choose natural ingredients that support its protective mechanisms :
- Vegetable oils ( jojoba , sweet almond, argan) nourish and strengthen the lipid barrier.
- Ceramides and essential fatty acids restore cellular cohesion.
- Probiotics and prebiotics support the microbiota and modulate the immune response .
- Aloe vera moisturizes and soothes, limiting the symptoms of irritation.
Balanced skin is happy skin
When the skin barrier is healthy, the skin is radiant, supple, and comfortable. It breathes better, regenerates more easily, and tolerates variations in the external environment more effectively. Taking care of your skin is first and foremost about restoring its natural defenses by respecting its protective mechanisms and immune response .
What if we started by listening to our skin?
Every tightness, every redness, every dry patch is a message. The skin speaks; we just need to listen. And what if, instead of trying to "correct" it, we simply learned to understand it and support its natural defenses?
14
Nov
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