When You’re Layering Up for Winter, Don’t Forget Your Skin!
Whether you’re more like a parfait or an onion, you’re made of layers. Layers of skin comprise the largest organ you’ve got, and it’s got a big job to do. Among a myriad of other things, skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regular body temperature, and allows us to sense heat and cold.
From the inside out, the three main layers of skin are the hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis. The hypodermis is made of fat and connective tissue. It controls your body temperature and keeps the next level, the dermis, attached to your muscles and bones. The dermis contains hair follicles and sweat glands. It also produces oil which helps skin be soft and smooth. The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin. It’s waterproof and its coloration is what we call skin tone. It also makes up the most physically visible part of you!
The epidermis is also known as the skin barrier. Your top layer of skin works double duty: like a shield, it keeps moisture and particulates out. It also acts like a dam, trapping moisture in and preventing skin from drying out. A thin, weak, or damaged skin barrier lets bad things in and good things out, and it can also increase skin sensitivity so that it irritates more easily. So building up your skin barrier has both appearance and physiological benefits - basically, boosting your skin barrier helps you inside and out!
The skin barrier is made up of lipids, chemical molecules or compounds that are not soluble in water, and dead skin cells that are tough and weatherproof because of their keratin. Think of the skin cells like bricks in a wall, and the lipids are like the mortar that holds them in place. These lipids are responsible for maintaining skin hydration, firmness, and softness. When your skin barrier is at peak condition, your complexion will appear smooth, clear, and have an even tone. That’s when it is retaining water effectively, and will be resilient and flexible. It will have just the right amount of self-generated oil, and will look radiant.
When it is damaged, the irritation will manifest as inflammation, redness, breakouts, rashes, dryness, tightness, and other skin issues. Skin will look dull or scaly, and can even peel, flake, or bleed. These conditions can be exacerbated by the environment, particularly seasonal changes in temperature and weather. The skincare routine that worked in spring and summer may not be up to the challenges of autumn wind and winter chill. The skin barrier can also be damaged by over-exfoliation. The rule of thumb on exfoliation is 1-2 times a week, but we recommend listening to your skin and see what it needs.
Don’t leave your skin barrier high and dry! Here are some tips to building up a super-powered skin barrier that looks more like Captain America than Thanos.
Replenish and strengthen as your first line of defense. Our bodies are over 70% water. Healthy skin starts with proper moisturization and water retention. Our aged honey is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Mixed with royal jelly extract, a highly concentrated compound of vitamins, minerals, amino and fatty acids, our Royal Honey Moisture Toner & Emulsion help repair the skin barrier and keep it in tip top working condition.
Feed your skin the right food. Avoid chemical agents like sulfates and go easy on the astringent and acidic treatments. Use of these ingredients can trigger skin irritation and dry out your epidermis. Try our Royal Honey 100 Hour Moisture Cream, an ultra-moisturizing cream made with gentle and nourishing royal honey. Free of mineral oils, silicone oils, artificial fragrances and colorants, it’s safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Double hydrate from dual sides. Look for a skincare product that penetrates deep into the skin barrier and also fortifies it so the hydration you carefully built up doesn’t evaporate away. The aged honey and propolis, or bee glue, in our Royal Honey line work both to attract moisture and retain it. Try our Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence, a nutritious essence that contains 63% bee propolis extract, 10% royal jelly extract and aged honey - ingredients that moisturize from the inside out and create a firm and protective barrier for a strengthened and healthy skin barrier.
