Our skin is our largest organ, and it's more complex than you might think. The skin barrier is like a shield which acts to protect from external elements and preserve internal elements. At Ekó botanicals, we believe in working to nurture a healthy skin barrier by feeding skin a nutrient rich and diverse diet just like we eat. Our products contain vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids from botanical ingredients grown and chosen for their unique ability and track record to work synergistically with nature to restore skin barrier health.
From the outermost layer of dead cells to a network of nerves, blood vessels and sweat glands, our skin provides protection from the elements while also regulating temperature and transducing sensations like touch. But when this barrier function becomes damaged, dryness and inflammation can result leading to scaling and redness as well as sensitivity to topical applications.
The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis is made up of 5 layers of cells.
The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis is made up of 5 layers of cells. Cells in this layer are continually being shed and replaced by new ones at a rate of about 1/3 mm per day. The top layer of this tissue is called stratum corneum (SC).
The stratum corneum (outermost layer) is made up of dead, flattened cells that form a waterproof barrier.
The stratum corneum (outermost layer) is made up of dead, flattened cells that form a waterproof barrier. The skin's natural oils and moisture can't get through this layer- any products you put on your face needs to be able to penetrate it too if you want it to do its job properly.
If your skin is damaged by harsh chemicals or environmental pollutants, those dead cells will start breaking down faster than usual. This means less protection from water loss in dry climates and greater sensitivity to irritation caused by things like pollution or harsh soaps/cleansers which can strip away important oils from the surface of your face before they've had time to soak into deeper layers where they're needed most.
When the stratum corneum loses its ability to protect against damage, dryness, and other irritants, it can become damaged and cause inflammation.
When the stratum corneum loses its ability to protect against damage, dryness and other irritants, it can become damaged and cause inflammation. Inflammation is a response to injury or infection that causes swelling in the skin. It's also accompanied by redness as blood vessels dilate in order to bring more nutrients to the affected area.
When you have inflamed skin it may feel hot or warm to touch--this is because blood vessels near your surface have opened up so that they can bring more oxygenated blood into the damaged area of your skin barrier (stratum corneum). Inflamed skin also tends to itch because there are nerve endings close to where we feel heat or discomfort; they send signals back through our nerves which tell us that something isn't right with our body parts.
This can lead to scaling and redness.
Scaling and redness are common symptoms of a damaged skin barrier. Scaling can be caused by dry skin, sunburn, or irritation. Redness is a sign of inflammation that can result from any number of things: dryness, sunburns (especially if you're not using SPF or spending excessive time in the sun), allergic reactions to products or ingredients in your skincare routine.
Skin that has lost its barrier function may be sensitive to topical applications and soaps that may have been tolerated previously.
Skin that has lost its barrier function may be sensitive to chemicals, topical medications and soaps that may have been tolerated previously.
For example, if you have dry skin and then become more sensitive to the sun because of climate change or pollution, the result could be a painful rash on your face or arms. The same goes for products you use on your hair or face--you might find yourself reacting badly to them in ways that were never an issue before.
The skin barrier is particularly vulnerable when it's dry or damaged due to detergents, soaps and shampoos that contain ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate.
The skin barrier is particularly vulnerable when it's dry or damaged due to detergents, soaps and shampoos that contain ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. These ingredients can strip the acid mantle, which is the outermost layer of your skin.
If you are concerned that your skin is not recovering from damage as well as it should, there are several things you can do at home:
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Use gentle oil cleansers and avoid irritating your skin with harsh products! Avoid soaps or cleansers and detergents that contain artificial fragrances, dyes, synthetic alcohols or other irritants that strip your skin of its natural oils. These sorts of harsh cleansers and scrubs can change the PH balance of the skin, disrupting the natural microflora balance (acid mantle) and damaging the skin barrier.
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AMINA Ritual Cleansing Oil is an oil based cleanser that deep cleanses without stripping and gentle enough to use around eyes. Leaves skin feeling clean but luxuriously soft.
BOTANICAL CLEANSING OIL - AMINA
£48.00
Deep Cleanse A botanical cleansing oil to gently remove away dirt, make-up, sun cream and impurities without stripping your skin. ✔️ Deep Cleansing ✔️ Relieves Dryness ✔️ Restores Radiance ✔️ Nourishes and Restores KEY BOTANICAL TREASURES FROM NATURE RESULTS… read more
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Avoid excessive sun exposure, this includes avoiding UV rays during winter months when daylight hours are shorter; wearing protective clothing when outdoors for extended periods of time (including hats); applying sunscreen regularly throughout the day every day even if there isn't any visible sign yet - this will prevent premature aging caused by free radicals produced by UV radiation hitting unprotected areas such as eyelids where they could cause wrinkles later on down the road due to lack of collagen production over time due solely because we weren't proactive enough about protecting ourselves now rather than later."
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Use a multitasking serum like NEFERTITI Radiance Botanical Serum to restore lost hydration after sun exposure and protect the skin from environmental pollutants.
RADIANCE BOTANICAL SERUM -NEFERTITI
£55.00
Radiance Boosting Serum This potent serum delivers immediate nourishment to help visibly minimize fine lines, boost skin’s natural collagen and hydration, firm skin and diminish dark spots. ✔️ Stimulates Collagen ✔️ Relieves Dryness ✔️ Targets Fine Lines ✔️ Reduces… read more
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MAKEDA Radiance Botanical Oil contains 22+ potent plant oils and bio-actives rich in phytoceramides, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients to restore the skin's natural oil production and boost collagen production to ensure plump and radiant skin.
RADIANCE AGELESS BOTANICAL OIL - MAKEDA
£45.00
Replenish, Brighten & Firm An indulgent skin-reparative magnet with a multitasking potent formula inspired by the ancient Queen of Sheba. Fast absorbing and works to balance skin's PH and promote cell renewal, leaving skin glowing and radiant. ✔️ Restores… read more
Summary
Your skin barrier is essential to your skins health and the radiance and ability of the skin to function at optimal levels and heal itself naturally when using nutrient dense botanical ingredients.
Damaged skin barrier repair is a complex process, but it's one that we can help with. At Ekó botanicals we believe skin barrier repairs start with simplifying your skincare ritual, a less is more approach. By using Potent, Pure and Sustainable botanical ingredients that are from organic sources and free from harmful toxins the skin is able to rebuild its barrier strength over time and heal itself.