How often do you see clients with sensitive or dehydrated skin? Redness, spots, tightness, and flaky or itchy skin are all symptoms of a compromised skin barrier. Yet, the skin barrier is crucial to healthy, radiant skin, so treating it with care is paramount if you want your clients to see visible results. GERnetic’s newest innovation is a dream for sensitive and barrier-impaired skin. Read on to discover why we think you need it in your salon. But let’s start at the beginning and re-acquaint ourselves with the remarkable functioning of the skin barrier.

What is the Skin Barrier?

Your skin barrier is your natural defence against the outside world. As the body’s largest organ, the skin is complex and fascinating.  With the rise in inflammatory skin conditions, taking care of the skin barrier is vital.

The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is a specialised layer that protects the body from the harsh aspects of our environment; UV, pollution, toxic chemicals, and infection, to name a few.

The lipid matrix holds this outermost layer of skin cells, composed of ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids. The skin barrier is often described as the ‘bricks and mortar’, which acts as a security guard for your skin, preventing potential problems from passing through.

If this barrier is weakened or damaged, irritants can penetrate, and skin becomes sensitised, leading to a host of skin issues.

One of the skin barrier’s most critical functions is protecting it from trans-epidermal water loss.   As this term suggests, it locks in moisture to keep skin soft, supple and firm. When the skin barrier is damaged, the quick water loss leaves the skin feeling tight and dehydrated. As a result, your clients may suddenly experience irritation, and the skin becomes red and inflamed.

A strong and healthy skin barrier is paramount if you want healthy skin results.

Signs of an Unhealthy Skin Barrier

Atopic skin is a delicate, fragile type of skin that is characterised by a weak skin barrier. As a result, the skin appears extremely dry and irritated with red patches and is very vulnerable to external aggressions. 

The basic understanding of atopic skin is that inflammation and flare-ups occur due to an excessive number of inflammatory cells in the skin. 

Those dealing with atopic skin typically have a compromised skin barrier. Therefore, replenishing lipids to strengthen the skin barrier is essential to managing irritated, dry, or atopic skin.

These conditions are partly caused by a genetic defect in the skin barrier. However, additional outside damage to the skin barrier can cause these conditions to flare up. 

If your clients experience any of these conditions, then it’s time to address the skin barrier health:

• Rosacea and eczema. 
• Chronic skin irritation 
• Itchy skin
• Dehydrated, dull skin
• Hyperpigmentation 
• Skin infections
• Delayed wound healing

How does the Barrier Function Become Impaired?

There are many reasons why the skin barrier may become compromised, including:

• Over-cleansing the skin (particularly with strong cleansers and foaming agents)
• Over-exfoliating the skin (especially with harsh physical exfoliants and acids)
• Nutrient-light diet – in particular, those low in fats resulting in an EFA (Essential fatty acid) deficiency
• Long-term emotional stress and anxiety
• Lack of sleep
• Smoking
• Overuse of AHAs and Retinol
• Topical moisturisers containing irritants such as synthetic fragrances, colours etc
• Incorrect ph. of products (too acidic or too alkaline)
• UV damage (sun damage)
• Environmental damage (pollution)

Once you understand what is causing the impaired barrier function, you can start to address it and slowly begin the healing process.  

Traditional moisturisers provide a band-aid solution for highly sensitive, damaged skin. Unfortunately, they don’t contain the nourishing ingredients needed for the skin barrier to repair itself and instead, the skin gets caught in a downward spiral of damaging effects. It’s time to treat your clients with a skincare range that strengthens the vital surface layer by rebuilding it from a cellular level.

GERnetic Skincare for Skin Barrier Repair

GERnetic skincare has always believed treating the skin holistically to be the key to long-term skin health. This means we treat the external skin with nutrients and healthy natural ingredients to nourish and heal. But we also understand the need to maintain a lifestyle that meets the skin’s needs. This includes eating well, sleeping, exercising, removing anything toxic to the skin, and managing stress.

GERnetic is referred to as the healthy food pyramid for your skin. Dr Albert Laporte, who created the innovative skin care range, based the concept on the ability of the body to restore its health and harmony when its cells receive accurately measured essential active ingredients. He established that many skin complaints are the result of nutritional deficiencies at a cellular level. GERnetic was created to replace those missing nutrients and help the skin to regenerate and repair itself. Packed with vitamins, trace elements and amino acids, GERnetic skin care is a superfood for your skin.  

Introducing the NEW Cold Cream Mousse

GERnetic’s newest innovation is the Cold Cream Mousse, created with the most fragile skins in mind. It can reinforce the natural immunity of damaged or atopic skin and improves the skin barrier to restore health to sensitive skin.

The intensely nourishing properties of Cold Cream Mousse restore lipids to the skin to rebalance it. An ultra-sensorial cream, its airy, unctuous texture transforms into a silky cream when applied to the skin. It melts into the skin, leaving a protective film while soothing feelings of tightness and irritation. The result is superior comfort and skin that is supple and soft.

Let’s take a look at some of the key ingredients in Cold Cream Mousse:

• Squalane; a multi-functional sebum-like active ingredient that is an exceptional moisturiser, softener and soother. It helps limit water loss and restores suppleness and softness to the skin.

• Beta Glucan; soothes irritation and strengthens the skin barrier. It relieves discomfort by calming itchy skin. 

• Small cushions of modified starch gorged with water for a foamy and velvety texture.

The Benefits of the Cold Cream Mousse

There are so many reasons why Cold Cream Mousse is perfect for a fragile skin; here are a few:

• Reinforces the skin barrier
• Strengthens skin immunity
• Suitable for all skin types but incredibly fragile skin with an atopic tendency, suffering from intense dryness, irritation, redness, itching or flaking
• Protects the skin from free radicals
• Intensely nourishing to restore lipids in the skin
• Soothes tightness and irritation
• The innovative foamy texture melts into the skin, leaving a protective film

Guiding your clients to pair a healthy lifestyle with a nourishing diet and innovative skin care products is the answer to healthy, radiant, age-defying skin.

Discover GERnetic’s Cold Cream Mousse today and restore skin to total health. To find out more about GERnetic’s newest innovation and how to use it in your salon, watch our recent training here:

The Vital Plus Difference

Are you ready to try Cold Cream Mousse in your clinic? If you are already a client of Vital Plus, don’t delay placing your order, we know you will love it!  

If you are new to VP, remember we have no minimum opening order or monthly spend, so you have the freedom to try any of our products with no strings attached!

We love sharing our passion for healthy and beautiful skin with our clients and  seeing their successes. That’s what inspires us daily.

Vital Plus customers benefit from ongoing support to enhance knowledge, industry awareness, and financial success. Supporting you in running a thriving beauty business is our purpose.

For more details about what we can offer you and your business, don’t hesitate to contact us: 1300 437 638

FAQs:

Q: What is the skin barrier?

A: The skin barrier, also known as the epidermal barrier or stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of the skin. It acts as a protective shield against external environmental factors, pathogens, and harmful substances. The skin barrier plays a crucial role in retaining moisture and preventing water loss, thereby maintaining skin hydration.

Q: How does the skin barrier function?

A: The skin barrier consists of skin cells held together by lipids, including ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. These lipids form a protective matrix that helps to keep the skin hydrated and prevents irritants and allergens from penetrating into deeper layers of the skin. The skin barrier also regulates the entry and exit of various substances, ensuring the skin’s health and integrity.

Q: What factors can disrupt the skin barrier?

A: Several factors can compromise the integrity of the skin barrier, leading to skin problems. Some common factors include harsh skincare products, excessive cleansing, exposure to UV radiation, pollution, cold weather, and certain skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. These factors can damage the lipid barrier, causing dehydration, sensitivity, and inflammation.

Q: How can I protect and strengthen my skin barrier?

A: To protect and strengthen your skin barrier, follow these essential skincare practices:

• Use gentle cleansers that do not strip away natural oils.
• Avoid over-exfoliation and opt for exfoliants that suit your skin type.
• Moisturize regularly with products containing ceramides and other skin-identical ingredients.
• Apply sunscreen daily to shield your skin from UV damage.
• Use products that are free from alcohol, fragrances, and harsh chemicals.
• Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water.
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients.

Q: What are the signs of a compromised skin barrier?

A: A compromised skin barrier can manifest through various signs and symptoms, such as:

• Increased sensitivity and redness.
• Dry, flaky, or rough skin texture.
• Itchiness and irritation.
• Acne breakouts and increased vulnerability to infections.
• Excessive skin dryness and a feeling of tightness.
• Uneven skin tone and pigmentation issues.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to adjust your skincare routine and consult a dermatologist for proper evaluation and personalized recommendations.