The skin barrier is the uppermost layer of your skin, the one you can touch. Despite being largely composed of "dead" skin cells (properly called corneocytes), they are still highly functional and crucial for the health and appearance of your skin.
Harsh skincare, over-exfoliation, overuse of even "good" skincare products, irritating practices, and other triggers can damage your skin barrier beyond its ability to repair quickly. This leads to chronic inflammation and impaired skin functions—significantly affecting your skin’s health and appearance!
An inflamed, damaged skin barrier plays a significant role in the development and PERSISTENCE of acne. Here's how:
Active acne lesions and a damaged skin barrier lead to increased levels of pro-inflammatory molecules like IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-alpha. This can lead to more clogged pores and increased sebum production, both of which contribute to acne.
A healthy skin barrier features a balanced skin microbiome. One of the prominent members is Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes), the bacteria associated with acne. When the skin barrier is damaged, these bacteria can over proliferate and form a biofilm over your skin. This triggers an immune response and further inflammation.
A compromised barrier leads to transepidermal water loss (TEWL), causing skin dehydration. This disrupts the skin's optimal pH, which in turn affects the enzymes responsible for natural exfoliation (desquamation) — leading to more clogged pores (the first stage of acne). Dehydrated skin may also respond by producing excess oil to compensate, further increasing the likelihood of clogged pores and breakouts.
The skin barrier is composed of lipids that help maintain hydration and structural integrity. Damage to this lipid matrix alters the skin's microbiome, creating an environment where acne-causing bacteria thrive and beneficial bacteria decline.
Inflammation from active acne further damages the skin barrier, impairing the normal maturation of skin cells and increasing the likelihood of clogged pores. This damaged barrier perpetuates inflammation and bacterial overgrowth, creating a cycle that leads to more clogged pores and acne.
This is true for most people. Something "internal" STARTS the acne, then acne gets perpetuated by a chronically inflamed skin barrier - worsened by our daily skincare practices!
The mechanism explained in this video
People often imagine a damaged skin barrier as bright red, flaky, irritated skin. However, this extreme level of damage is actually RARE. Much more commonly, breakouts and “purging” are mistaken for a chronically inflamed skin barrier — one that keeps perpetuating acne over time.
Yes, these are the same beautiful ladies as above — just several months later. 💕 My amazing clients who have healed their years-long acne using my approach! 🌟
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