Autumn Protocols for Skin Health
Autumn Protocols for Skin Health: Why Hydration and Barrier Support Are Essential with Obagi Hydrate
With the autumn season right around the corner, today I wanted to look at a few essential protocols you can implement to support your skin health as the weather changes. Dehydration is one of the most common skin concerns we start to see emerging as autumn arrives, so let's explore why preventing excessive transepidermal water loss and supporting a healthy skin barrier is so important.
What is Transepidermal Water Loss?
Also known as TEWL, transepidermal water loss is a term that refers to the process of water being lost from the body via the skin. Water evaporates from the epidermis continuously via TEWL, and this process is regulated naturally by the body.
The human body is comprised of 60% water, and it plays many vital roles, including lubricating our joints and regulating body temperature. So while TEWL is a natural and vital process, losing too much water can cause a variety of issues for our body and skin.
A number of different factors can cause higher-than-normal amounts of transepidermal water loss. Our environment is a significant factor, and it's why dry weather conditions in hot and cold climates often cause dry skin.
What are the Signs of High Transepidermal Water Loss?
There are a number of telltale signs that can indicate high levels of TEWL. If your skin looks dry and flaky or feels tight and/or rough to the touch, the chances are your TEWL is higher than it ideally should be. Other signs include experiencing conditions such as eczema and noticing more visible lines.
The Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Skin Barrier
The skin barrier plays an essential role in protecting your body from external stressors and free radicals. It also plays a key role in maintaining hydration levels, as without it, all the water in the body would evaporate and escape.
The skin barrier is formed of tough skin cells which are filled with lipids including ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. So, although it's thin, it works hard to prevent pathogens and environmental toxins from penetrating into your body.
Signs of an Unhealthy Skin Barrier
There are a number of things that can impact the health of your skin barrier, including dry or humid environments, over-exfoliation, sun exposure, and exposure to pollutants, irritants or allergens.
Some of the signs that your skin barrier could benefit from some support include scaly, flaky or dry skin, itchiness, acne, areas of inflammation or sensitivity, and discoloured or rough patches.
How to Support a Healthy Skin Barrier in the Autumn
As the weather starts to change, you may notice that your skin barrier requires some additional TLC to continue protecting your body from external stressors and free radicals. It can be helpful to speak directly with a skin expert with the skills and knowledge to help you build a simple skincare routine featuring products that are ideally suited to your skin type and concerns.
Skincare products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid or glycerin are particularly beneficial for a healthy skin barrier as they work to lock in moisture and support barrier function.
What is Obagi Hydrate?
Obagi Hydrate is one of our most popular and most recommended skincare products, as it utilises innovative technology and skin-boosting ingredients including glycerin, shea butter and mango butter to provide 8-hour moisturisation for all skin types.
Obagi Hydrate contains Hydromanil matrix molecules, which lock in moisture and effectively prevent excessive water loss. These molecules support the skin barrier by enabling the epidermis to retain optimal hydration levels, which will help to improve the texture and appearance of your skin.
Boost Your Skin Hydration Levels with The Pemberley Clinic
If you want to boost your skin's hydration levels or discuss your skin concerns in detail with one of our skin experts, please book your one-to-one skin consultation here at the clinic today!