Skip to main content

The global pandemic has made us hyper-aware of our personal hygiene and health. New daily preventive measures, such as rigorous hand hygiene and the use of masks, have given our skin a lot to adjust to. Repeated hand washing and the use of sanitizers can damage proteins in the upper layer of our skin (epidermis), and cause changes in the lipids that naturally preserve and protect the skin. 

It’s no surprise, then, that dermatologists are seeing a resurgence of hand eczema. There has also been an uptick in cases of skin irritation and the worsening of existing primary skin diseases, related to mask-wearing.

To maintain the health of our skin, our living barrier, we should combine our preventive actions with protective and care actions. 

The role of skin in our health

Our skin also hosts a delicate balance of complex microbial communities, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, called the microbiome. As the skin is the interface between the body and the external environment.

The primary role of the skin is to serve as a barrier, protecting our body from potential assaults. These assaults come from micro-organisms, toxic substances, and other external factors such as UVR, pollution, and climate.  Think of it this way: your skin is your body’s biological armor. If the barrier is compromised, your skin will be more sensitive to pollutant molecules, UV rays, and infections.

Skin health is even more important as we age since the skin-aging process disrupts the epidermal barrier function. 

Our skin also hosts a delicate balance of complex microbial communities, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, called the microbiome. As unpleasant as this may sound, mounting evidence suggests that a diverse microbiome has a positive influence on metabolic processes, contributes to immunity, and helps to prevent pathogens from growing on the skin.

Protecting the body

In fact, the skin microbiome has recently been described as a crucial component of the epidermal barrier. It plays an essential role in protecting the body and modulating overall health, in addition to benefiting skin health.

Studies on hand show frequent washing and the use of sanitizers disturb the skin barrier. This results in skin irritation and changes in the microbiome. Moreover, many of our “daily use products”, such as cosmetics, hygiene products, and moisturizers, contain harsh preservatives and synthetic ingredients that can result in detrimental modification of the microbiome.

Lately, the potential for topical formulations with prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy skin microbiome has gained increased attention and research.

Maintaining skin health while staying protected

Adequate skin hydration is essential for preserving the skin’s elasticity and resistance properties. So it’s best to moisturize with lipid-replenishing creams. This is a great way to safeguard your skin’s barrier and prevent irritation (from masks, for example).

Ideally, you should moisturize your face morning and evening, and switch to gentle cleansers to offset the impact of mask-wearing. Recent novel formulations for our skin barrier include ingredients such as mineral-enriched thermal water. This has been shown to strengthen the skin’s natural defenses and restore the skin barrier. It’s also been found to enhance immunity, in addition to having prebiotic and probiotic benefits.

In the coming years, in a post-COVID world, we can expect skincare to increase to enhance not only the aesthetic properties of skin but also the functional – as it should.

support
Dr. Tarryn Jacobs

Dr. Tarryn Jacobs

Dr Tarryn Jacobs is a Pretoria based specialist dermatologist at NoviSkin. She completed her post-graduate degrees through the University of Pretoria, obtaining the Fellowship of the College of Dermatology as well as her Masters in Dermatology with Cum Laude. She has been awarded the prestigious Peter Gordon-Smith medal for academic excellence in dermatology. She is actively involved in medical education and training. She is an honorary consultant dermatologist at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and part-time lecturer at the University of Pretoria. She has also published original reports in scientific literature. Having an in depth understanding of cosmeceuticals, she is passionate in bringing clinical dermatology expertise to mainstream beauty and skincare. She is a member of the South African Dermatological Society, South African Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology and the International Women's Dermatologic Society.

Longevity Live is a digital publisher AND DOES NOT OFFER PERSONAL HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE. IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE STARTING ANY NUTRITION, DIET, EXERCISE, FITNESS, MEDICAL, OR WELLNESS PROGRAM.

This content, developed through collaboration with licensed medical professionals and external contributors, including text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, procedure, or treatment, whether it is a prescription medication, over-the-counter drug, vitamin, supplement, or herbal alternative.

Longevity Live makes no guarantees about the efficacy or safety of products or treatments described in any of our posts. Any information on supplements, related services and drug information contained in our posts are subject to change and are not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Longevity does not recommend or endorse any specific test, clinician, clinical care provider, product, procedure, opinion, service, or other information that may be mentioned on Longevity’s websites, apps, and Content.

error: Content is protected !!