Latest news with #skinbarrier
News24
05-07-2025
- Health
- News24
How winter health affects your skin barrier and acne
Winter's cold, dry air weakens the skin barrier, making it prone to irritation, dehydration, and breakouts. Illnesses like colds and flu, combined with stress, poor sleep, and dietary changes, exacerbate acne by promoting inflammation and excess oil production. Dr Mamello Ntsele advises adapting skincare routines to the season with hydrating products and SPF, emphasising personalised care to maintain healthy, radiant skin. As the winter days get colder, the dry air can lead to dehydrated skin and a weakened skin barrier. This makes it more vulnerable to irritation, sensitivity and breakouts. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is vital to comfort and confidence, whether you have oily, normal, dry or combination skin. But it's not just the weather. Your physical health, including illnesses like colds and flu, plays a significant role in skin health. How winter illnesses like colds and flu trigger acne Common winter illnesses, such as colds or flu, can stress the body, leading to a pro-inflammatory state. Since acne is an inflammatory condition, it often flares up under high stress. 'Any illness that causes stress on the body can lead to a pro-inflammatory state,' explains Dr Mamello Ntsele, a dermatologist. 'Acne is an inflammatory condition that flares up in the setting of high-stress levels.' Winter also disrupts sleep patterns, and people drink less water during colder months. Poor sleep increases stress, inflammation and hormonal imbalances, while dehydration weakens the skin barrier and triggers excess oil production. Why acne worsens in winter Acne behaves differently in winter because the skin's barrier dries out more easily. When skin loses moisture, it overcompensates by producing more oil (sebum). Excess sebum causes skin cells to stick together and clog pores, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), where oil glands are most active. Diet also plays a role. 'Dietary shifts in winter, when people tend to eat more comfort foods, can contribute to breakouts as high-glycaemic foods are linked to more severe acne,' says Dr Ntsele. Common winter skincare mistakes Summer skincare routines don't work in winter, and not changing routines to suit the weather is a common mistake. Others include: - Over-cleansing, which strips natural oils - Using gel or foaming cleansers in dry seasons - Skipping moisturiser or sunscreen (UV rays still damage skin in winter) Dr Ntsele recommends switching to richer creams with ceramides, glycerine and hyaluronic acid and always using SPF. How to adapt your skincare routine A consistent routine is key. Dr Ntsele's winter skincare steps: 1. Hydrating cleanser 2. Hydrating serum 3. Hydrating moisturiser 4. Non-comedogenic sunscreen She also suggests gentle exfoliation, such as Eucerin's DermoPurifyer Scrub, one to two times weekly to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. 'It's not about making your skin adapt; it's about adapting to your skin,' says Dr Ntsele. Factors like age, hormones and environment affect skin needs, so she advises tailoring your routine accordingly.
CNA
01-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
Seal the deal: How ceramides help lock in skin health
For those struggling with skin issues, it can be tempting to overdo skincare routines. This was true for a 32-year-old patient of Dr Joseph Toh, who used harsh exfoliants daily in an attempt to improve her complexion. But the excessive cleansing did more harm than good – she soon developed severe redness, stinging and flaking, recalled the consultant dermatologist at Parkway MediCentre Dermatology Clinic. 'She described her face as feeling like it was 'burning all day',' he said. WHY THE SKIN BARRIER MATTERS AND WHAT DAMAGES IT The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, made up of skin cells and lipids. It acts as a shield, locking in moisture and keeping harmful substances out. When intact, skin stays smooth, hydrated and resilient. When compromised, it can become dry, irritated and inflamed. In Dr Toh's patient's case, her symptoms were classic signs of a damaged skin barrier: Increased sensitivity, stinging after applying products, tightness, itchiness, rough texture and inflammation. He explained that this happens when the skin can no longer retain moisture or block out irritants. Beyond harsh soaps and over-cleansing, several environmental and genetic factors can weaken the skin barrier. Singapore's high humidity and heat can encourage the body to produce more sweat, which may aggravate sensitive skin. Urban air pollution can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, while prolonged exposure to air-conditioning can dehydrate the skin. 'Ongoing exposure to these elements without adequate moisturisation can weaken the skin barrier, especially in those with existing sensitivities,' said Dr Toh. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is one example. Mutations in the filaggrin gene – present in up to 10 per cent of individuals – impair skin hydration and structure, making skin more vulnerable to environmental stressors. Dr Toh shared that scratching itchy, eczema-affected skin further disrupts the barrier, creating a vicious cycle of damage and irritation. 'A compromised skin barrier increases trans-epidermal water loss and lets irritants and allergens in more easily, worsening conditions like eczema, acne and rosacea,' he elaborated. 'This can reduce quality of life and cause persistent discomfort.' While skin can often heal itself, it sometimes needs a helping hand. When damage is caused by eczema, ageing or excessive cleansing, the skin barrier may struggle to produce ceramides, said Dr Toh. Ceramides are waxy lipid compounds that make up about 50 per cent of the skin's lipid matrix – a protective coating on its surface. If you think of skin cells as bricks, ceramides are the mortar holding them together, he explained. 'They prevent moisture loss and protect against environmental damage. Without adequate ceramides, the barrier becomes leaky and vulnerable.' Furthermore, inflammation and stress can reduce the enzymes needed to produce ceramides, making it harder for the skin barrier to repair itself. 'Topical products supply ceramides to replenish what the skin lacks, accelerating healing. They integrate into the lipid matrix, helping to seal gaps, reduce trans-epidermal water loss and soothe inflammation,' said Dr Toh. According to Dr Toh, the specific 3:1:1 ratio is key because each component plays a specific role. Cholesterol provides structure and stability, while free fatty acids maintain fluidity and help acidify the skin's pH, deterring harmful bacteria and supporting enzyme activity for repair. TOWARDS HEALTHIER, RESILIENT SKIN Dr Toh recommends that people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin avoid long showers and harsh soaps, and choose creams that mimic the skin's natural 3:1:1 lipid ratio for effective skin barrier repair. He recalled a patient in his 40s who eased monthly eczema flares by switching from a fragranced shower gel to a gentler, non-scented alternative and applying a ceramide-based moisturiser after every shower. 'This small change helped improve his symptoms,' he noted. Ceramide-based products come in various forms – from cleansers to moisturisers and barrier creams. The Ceradan range, for example, includes options for daily use and more intensive care, all formulated to be both effective and gentle on skin. For best results, Dr Toh suggests applying ceramide creams at least three times a day, especially after bathing or handwashing. Ideally, they should be applied within three minutes of towel-drying to lock in moisture: 'Damp skin enhances absorption. Keeping the cream in the fridge can also provide a cooling, anti-itch effect.' While some assume oily skin does not need moisturising, that's a misconception. 'Even oily skin can have an impaired barrier and benefit from lipid-rich moisturisers,' he added. Dr Toh's other tips include using a humidifier during long hours in air-conditioned environments, showering in cool to lukewarm water, wearing breathable cotton clothing to reduce sweat-induced irritation and managing stress to prevent eczema flares. 'Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with foods like flaxseed or salmon,' he advised. 'Don't fall for the myth that drinking water alone hydrates the skin – real hydration comes from your skin's natural moisturising factors and topical lipids like ceramides.'
News24
24-06-2025
- Health
- News24
Why preventative body skincare should be your new daily ritual
Harsh environments and cleansers can damage the skin barrier. It's important to keep up a body skincare ritual to protect your skin barrier. Use lotions enriched with ceramides, urea and thiamidol for intense moisturisation. Mix tissue oils with lotions for a double layer of protection and moisture. _______________________________________________________________________ This season's harsh air and winter rain can wreak absolute havoc on your skin. For a lot of people, body care is only a priority when their skin starts to feel dry, tight or uncomfortable. Irritation sets in and only then do we look for those intensive creams and moisturising lotions. It becomes a vicious cycle, and the only way to end that cycle is to make skincare an everyday ritual - not just for your face but for the whole body. @truelovemagazine #NomzamoMbatha is the ambassador for Neutragena. She shares 2 common skincare mistakes that people make. #skintok #beautytok ♬ original sound - TRUELOVE How to stop dry skin before it starts The skin doesn't just dry out for no reason. Zethu Zulu, the product development technologist at Unilever, tells TRUELOVE, 'At some point, all of us have healthy-looking skin and that's what we desire. But because of environmental stressors, harsh cleansers and stuff like that, you'll end up having dry and ashy skin, and that's because of a compromised skin barrier. That's when you lose moisture and your skin feels rougher and it doesn't feel as smooth as you want it to be.' Lotions equipped with ceramides and urea for moisture, Thiamidol for uneven skin When we look at the science of skin, Zethu explains that our skin barrier is basically skin cells glued together by ceramides, which are fats or lipids. One of the most effective tools in the preventive skincare arsenal is urea, a natural compound already found in healthy skin. It's a moisture magnet, drawing hydration into the skin and helping the skin retain it. There are skincare lotions that combine urea with ceramides for deep moisturisation, and they help improve the skin's water-binding capacity. Ceramide-enriched body creams also offer a huge dose of these ceramides to lock in moisture, while body lotions that are infused with thiamidol - a patented skincare ingredient that targets dark marks - target hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TRUELOVE Magazine (@truelovemagazine) Double up with tissue and body gel oils While ceramide-enriched creams are a great start, using them alone might not be enough, especially for those with especially dry and cracked skin. Zethu explains, 'Skin cells [are] glued together by the lipid layer and, for you to boost hydration, you need to fix the lipid layer ... What we know about ceramides is they're quite large molecules and because of that they're not able to penetrate the skin well and that limits their efficacy. 'So, no matter how much you add to your skin cells, it doesn't penetrate. It just sits on your skin. It does moisturise you but it doesn't do much for the lipid layer that needs boosting.' @truelovemagazine Pamela Mtanga shares her top winter skincare tip when it comes to dry feet. #pamelamtanga #winterskincaretips ♬ original sound - TRUELOVE To get that extra layer of moisture deep through the skin, add some tissue oil or body gels packed with vitamin E, cocoa butter and sesame oils into your preferred body lotion. If you don't want the whole bottle infused with oil, a few drops into the palm of your hand mixed with some lotion will do the trick. Body gels give 'the body the building blocks that it needs to build its own ceramides or to boost its ceramides,' Zethu explains.
The Herald
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald
Here's how you can nourish your skin as temperatures drop
With the seasonal change bringing in cool and dry air, it's time to protect your skin from tightness and sudden dullness, specially for those experiencing a dryer texture. 'Winter is the time to support the skin's barrier function in a more intentional way,' said Ruan Winter, from Vitaderm . 'People tend to focus only on hydration, but it's also about locking in that moisture, replenishing what the skin has lost and reinforcing its natural defences.' Here are Winter's top tips to give your skin a nourished feel. Your skin is a mirror of its environment In the same way you swap linen for wool in your wardrobe, your skincare also needs to adapt. Colder weather brings lower humidity, which translates to less moisture in the air and, consequently, less moisture in your skin. Heating systems don't help, further zapping hydration levels and often leading to increased sensitivity. However, the goal isn't simply to coat the skin in thick products. Nourishment goes beyond hydration. It's about feeding the skin with essential nutrients, lipids and actives that help it function optimally even in challenging conditions.
