Everyone has one.
NMF is made up of amino acids and humectants (humectants attract water). Your skin takes those and creates your NMF. Your skin then uses that moisturizing factor from within your cells in the outermost layer of your skin, to regulate moisture content. NMF draws water from the air, to your skin, and keeps it hydrated.
Your body self regulates NMF based on you and where you live and the environment around you.
Outside factors affect your natural balanced MNF. For example, people with dermatitis or eczema, have less NMF than those that don’t.
NMF decreases with age.
Prolonged exposure to water, UV light or even surfactants (detergents), can also decrease NMF production. Like over cleansing for example.
The four main causes of a weakened skin barrier are, over washing, over exfoliating (includes retinols), environmental exposure, (wind, cold sun), and stress.
Common signs of a damaged moisture barrier include redness and rosacea, dryness and dehydration, flakiness and peeling, irritation, itchiness, roughness, a stinging or burning sensation.
Can you repair this and get back that natural protection and barrier?
Yes you can.
*Repair the skin barrier’s natural lipids by applying moisturizers that contain nourishing ingredients such as ceramides, squalene and niacinamide.
*Use an Essence. An Essence is a serum infused water binder. It attracts hydration to itself, it prepares the skin to receive and to absorb topicals. Generously pat on to skin morning and night before applying anything else.
*Use a gentle cleanser. A cleansing lotion instead of a foaming cleanser is recommended if you are trying to repair a damaged moisture barrier. These are much milder for dry tight skin.
*Cut back on exfoliation. Over doing exfoliation is the biggest and most common reason for a damaged moisture barrier. Stop exfoliating for 2 weeks while repairing a serious skin moisture barrier issue.
*Lay off the Retinol for 2 weeks. And then re-introduce slowly, using every 2nd day upon restarting.
*And while this might be surprising…..its very very effective. Using a Gua Sha stone daily can give some astonishing results. In lifting the skin, in tone and texture, and mostly in combatting severe peeling and dryness of the skin. Gua Sha MUST be used with an oil, an oil that is suitable for your skin! My preference is Rejuveniqe (stunning results), but you can also use Rose Hip Oil.
When you use a Gua Sha, you amplify penetration of your topicals. The perfect Stack…. Essence>>Hyaluronic Acid>>Eye Serum>>Rejuveniqe. Use your Gua Sha immediately after applying these topicals. Include your neck area in your treatment. Twice a day is better, but once a day will definitely change things. You will be surprised what a difference this one small effort will make!
Summer skin requires a different approach and a different set of products. Every season does. Next we will take a look at your recommended summertime skincare stack.
Shoot me your questions. Always here
Spa By Camille 
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