Part 2: The warning signs of a damaged moisture barrier

In the previous post  I told you about the moisture barrier,

what it is, and why it is important..

But the bigger question is:

is your moisture barrier damaged?

The interesting thing about this defense system our skin has, is that there isnt one specific symptom,

there's a few of them,

and some of them can look like one thing, when, in fact they are another.

So, How do you recognize a damaged skin barrier?

Let's see how it might show up in your skin:

-Have you noticed that your skin looks shiny to the point it's like plastic-looking? Like there is a healthy glow, and then there is a lifeless shine that looks very different from the rest of your normal skin.

-Or has your skin become so sensitive that even your regular, gentle cleanser gives you a stinging sensation?

-And due to that, do you deal with constant redness or blotchiness that doesn’t go away?

- Something else you might notice is that your skin feels dry but also oily, like you see the oil on your skin, but you still feel dryness and tightness

- And lastly, your products suddenly feel like they’re “just sitting there” and not really penetrating your skin.

If any of these (or a combination of them) feel familiar to you, then it's possible that your barrier is compromised.

Why is it important to realize this?

Because you might have been obsessing about your skin and dealing with the breakouts and dryness when in reality the issue is deeper than that.

Or, you have become too dependent on products, because your skin has been left so vulnerable and easily irritated, and you might think you will have to deal with very sensitive skin forever.

Or, you are just confused about the state of your skin and are trying so many products with no results....

Knowing that it is, in fact, your moisture barrier that is compromised will put on the track to faster relief,and will help you adjust the way you think about your skin.

Because oilyness can cause you to use drying products,

and breakouts can lead you to use harsh products,

You might even think that a burning or tingling sensation on your skin is a good thing,

when in reality is a warning sign your skin is sending.

let me tell you, our skin is built in an incredible way,so everything your skin does has a purpose.

The redness and itchyness? this is your skin rushing blood into an area that is calling out for help.

The bumps and swells? this is your skin creating a buffer zone to heal the affected tissue

the oilyness? your skin is trying to maintain a healthy balance, so if oils is stripped from it, it will produce more to bring things back into balance

Recognizing the symptoms

The symptoms that upset us,

is our skin trying is best to heal itself.

And it is so resilient, that recovery is absolutely possible.

The way that Allah created the systems in our body to self-protect and survive, means that all you have to do is

• learn how to take a step back,
• change your approach
• and give your skin some room.

Not all paths to healthy skin are the same..

When learning about the consequences of a damaged skin barrier, it's likely you wont have all the symptoms,

so the same rule can't be applied to everyone.

For some, it might just be the confusion of dry and oily skin,

or it could be the redness and irritation that bothers you most...

So finding a solution is more like figuring out a strategy that will work for your specific needs,

That is the goal for the next post, in sha Allah!