No wonder they say that the skin is a mirror of the body, while it is important to note that it is bilateral, since the skin reflects everything that happens inside the body. At the same time, it reflects all external influences, and, first of all, those associated with the destruction of the epidermal barrier..

It is known that the skin is one of the largest human organs and, on average, occupies an area of \u200b\u200babout 2.5 m2.. At the same time, in our understanding, skin care mainly correlates with external data: the preservation of youth and beauty.. The contribution of the skin to the preservation of human health remains underestimated.

Since school, we know that the top layer of the skin is called the epidermis.. It is on him in everyday life that we regularly have an impact: whether it is washing hands or applying a caring cream. The top layer of the epidermis, or stratum corneum, normally changes every 25-28 days. The duration of cell renewal is directly related to the processes of skin regeneration, and hence wound healing.. In the process of aging, as well as with regular violation of the epidermal barrier, the renewal cycle can increase up to 60 days. Let's take a closer look at what the epidermal barrier is, because it is he who is responsible for the protective function of the skin as a whole..

The epidermal barrier and its functions.

The epidermis, or rather its upper stratum corneum, is a protective armor of 5-6 layers of skin cells (keratinocytes) between which layers of water and lipid layers are arranged in an orderly manner.. That is why the surface of the skin resembles a brick wall, where epidermal cells act as " Such a dense system of aggregation of skin cells is called the epidermal barrier.. In addition, the "

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It is this complex structure of the upper layer of the epidermis that provides softening, antimicrobial protection, and the prevention of water loss, both from the surface and deep layers of the skin.. A very important feature of the hydrolipid mantle is its acidic character.. Let's see why.

The answer to this question is quite simple: families of microorganisms live on the skin, forming their own skin microbiome.. " ), in the course of life, produce free acids (for example, lactic), which maintains a slightly acidic pH (in the range of 5.2-5.8). It is this pH range that inhibits the vital activity of pathogenic microflora and provides immune function..

Thus, we get a complex interconnected system: a normally functioning epidermal barrier protects the deeper layers of the epidermis and dermis from dehydration, nourishes and softens the stratum corneum, and also prevents the penetration of foreign allergens, harmful microorganisms and fungi.

3 ways to destroy the epidermal barrier, or how we ourselves provoke the occurrence of skin diseases Let's look at what factors of everyday life negatively affect the skin:.

Use of detergents, cleaners and disinfectants.

It's no secret that when we come home, each of us forgets about our professional duties and begins to solve ordinary household issues, from repairs in the garage and gardening, to cleaning the apartment, washing, cooking and washing dishes.. At the same time, not everyone protects their hands at least with gloves.. Nevertheless, any detergent and cleaning agent has the most unfavorable effect on the hydrolipidic mantle: the surfactants in their composition extract, along with impurities, also the skin's own lipid barrier.. As a result: the natural fat layer is washed away, and there are no obstacles for the evaporation of water from the superficial and deep layers of the skin..

The skin becomes dehydrated, which reduces its elasticity and triggers premature aging processes.. At the same time, the renewal cycle of the epidermis increases, which leads to thickening of the stratum corneum, peeling, inflammation and redness of the skin.. In addition, the alkaline nature of household chemicals, getting on the skin, leads to a shift in its pH to the alkaline region, and this inhibits beneficial bacteria and opens the gate for pathogenic microflora..

What to do: Use gloves, protective creams or cleansers containing mild surfactants and caring oils (no SLES, SLS).

To ensure a protective effect, the cream must be hydrophobic in nature, i.e.. repel water-soluble substances. This is achieved through a certain type of water-in-oil emulsion.. Such a product will contain a large number of components that form a protective barrier, such as beeswax (CERA ALBA), Shea butter, etc.. , as well as an inverse emulsion stabilizer (magnesium stearate or sulfate) and a small amount of water. The content of components that provide additional hydration (urea, glycerin, aloe vera extract, allantoin) and nutrition is also welcome - fat-soluble vitamins (A, E), oils. To cleanse heavily soiled skin, it is important to use only mild cleansers that do not contain aggressive surfactants (sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)). Also important is the presence of moisturizing ingredients and natural oils in cleansers, which are necessary to restore the level of moisture and lipids in the surface layers of the skin..

Excessive and uncontrolled use of skin antiseptics.

The second most common reason for the violation of the protective properties of the skin is the lack of a culture of consumption of skin antiseptics.. We all occasionally find ourselves in a situation where we are forced to eat something on the go.. However, most often there is no opportunity to wash hands before eating.. In this case, a skin antiseptic becomes simply necessary.. Nevertheless, a large number of people use these funds too often, not realizing what it is fraught with.. After all, by treating our hands with a disinfectant, we kill not only bacteria that can potentially harm the entire body as a whole, but also our own skin microbiome.. The microbiome, in turn, has an impact on vital body functions such as immunity and resistance to colonization by pathogens.. Skin dysbiosis has now been scientifically proven to be associated with diseases such as atopic dermatitis and eczema..

The most common and widely available type of skin antiseptics are products based on ethyl or isopropyl alcohol.. Alcohol in their composition, by analogy with surfactants in detergents, also extracts the natural hydrolipid layer. The result is dehydrated and overdried skin, a shift in pH to the alkaline region and an increased risk of various dermatological diseases, including those of a bacterial and fungal nature..

What to do: use skin antiseptics when really necessary, choose alcohol-free products. It is worth paying attention to products containing chlorhexidine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine digluconate, benzalkonium chloride or natural antibacterial components (citrus extracts, extracts of horsetail, sage, etc.).

UV and HEV radiation.

In the modern world, few can imagine their leisure time without computers and smartphones.. And, if almost everyone knows about the dangers of UV radiation and its correlation with skin cancer, then information about digital aging is new for many..

Nevertheless, the role of blue light, or HEV radiation, of computers, TVs and smartphones in premature skin aging, violation of its protective and regenerating functions has been scientifically proven..

What to do: Use daily products containing UV filters, as well as antioxidants that prevent oxidative stress..

By following three simple guidelines for the use of protective products, each of us can ensure the prevention of bacterial and fungal infections, contact, allergic and atopic dermatitis, eczema, photoaging of the skin and the associated hyperpigmentation phenomenon, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and, of course, save.

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