Characteristics of Impaired Barrier Function

Barrier function refers to the complex of lipids (fatty materials – ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol) that is present between the cells in corneum. This lipid barrier guards moisture (TEWL - transepidermal water loss) and protects against dehydration, redness and hypersensitivity and it also provides a lipid barrier to prevent irritants from entering the skin.

Think of your skin like a brick wall, your cells are the bricks and are held together by the mortar caller intercellular lipid matrix. These lipids fill in the gaps between the cells in the same way mortar fills the spaces between bricks in a wall.

Common causes and characteristics:

• Overuse of aggressive products, and use of products with excessive perfumes and preservatives

• Harsh climate

• Removal of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF), the substances that are responsible for maintaining the skin’s hydration and pliability, by attracting and holding moisture. Removal of the NMF will result in transepidermal water loss (TEWL)

• Interruption of intracellular lipids found between the dead surface cells and responsible for trapping water in the stratum corneum; this lipid bilayer provides an occlusive, impermeable barrier and prevents the loss of water and NMF

• TEWL from inside the body through the epidermis to the surrounding atmosphere; a small amount of TEWL is critical to skin sensitivity; TEWL is increased when the epidermis is compromised and the NMF is decreased

• Keratin denaturation, an alternative of the protein’s shape through some form of external stress (ex: application of heat, acid or alkaki), may prevent the keratin from carrying out its normal cellular functions.

• Foods containing high levels of Omega 3’s (3000mcg) essential fatty acids provides powerful anti-inflammatory characteristics. Some common sources are salmon, chia seeds and kiwi seed oil.