The key to having radiant, resilient skin is establishing a strong and healthy skin barrier.
Your skin plays an important role in defending itself against various internal and external threats every day.
Internally, underlying skin conditions such as adult acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), ichthyosis, rosacea and psoriasis may be associated with having a poor skin barrier.
Externally, some factors that can affect your skin barrier include environments that are too humid or too dry, allergens, irritants and pollutants, excessive sun exposure, alkaline detergents and soaps, exposure to harsh chemicals, over-exfoliation or over-washing.
Over time, your skin may have thinned, leaving you more exposed to external irritants and further damage.
Understanding Your Skin Barrier and its Role
The outermost layer of your skin is known as the stratum corneum . It acts as a protective layer keeping moisture in and harmful elements (bacteria, pollution, and irritants) out.
This layer is composed of skin cells and a matrix of lipids including ceramides, free fatty acids and cholesterol. Together these lipids form structured, multilayer “walls” that help to retain hydration and prevent transepidermal water loss (water loss from your skin).
When these layers are compromised, it results in dry, irritated and sensitive skin.
Common Signs that Your Skin Barrier is Compromised or Damaged
Skin Barrier damage may be evident in the way that your skin looks and feels.
If you are experiencing any of the below, it is likely that your skin barrier has sustained some damage over time:
Dry, scaly and/or flaky skin
Tenderness or sensitivity
Conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and winter xerosis
Premature aging and dullness
Stinging, especially when you apply skin care product
How to Repair and Strengthen Your Skin Barrier with Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, plays a vital role in restoring and maintaining the skin’s lipid barrier.
Research shows that it stimulates ceramide synthesis, supports production of free fatty acids and cholesterol and improves the lipid matrix in the stratum corneum.
Over half of your stratum corneum (the top layer of your skin) is made from ceramides. Niacinamide tells your skin to create more ceramides. Instead of simply applying ceramids, you are using a Vitamin to teach your skin to make more!
By enhancing lipid production and reducing water loss, Niacinamide strengthens the skin’s ability to repair itself making it an ideal ingredient for both prevention and repair.
Niacinamide will pave the way for your skin to rebuild its defences, lock in moisture, improving hydration and elasticity over time.
Bonus Benefit of Niacinamide: Aquaporin Support
In addition to all the amazing benefits of Niacinamide including fading post-acne pigmentation and protecting and repairing the skin barrier, Niacinamide also helps to regulate Aquaporin 3!
Aquaporin 3 is a protein that controls water flow within the skin; this further improves hydration. Providing the plump, smooth appearance that we desire!
Pave the Way for Resilient, Hydrated Skin
At Melvory, we work with the ethos that sustainable skin transformation starts with a healthy foundation.
Our newly formulated Niacinamide HyperBoost® Serum is designed to support your skin barrier, enhance hydration, and restore balance.
Whether your skin is dry, sensitive or stressed, our Niacinamide HyperBoost® serum will give it the nourishment it needs: paving the way for resilient, plump and hydrated skin.
