Compromised / Sensitive
The skin is the largest organ of the body and a healthy, functioning barrier should always be the first priority when it comes to treating the skin. Typically, the main cause of an unhealthy barrier is over exfoliation from aesthetic procedures, at home exfoliants, or overuse of prescription strength topicals. While increasing cellular turnover is important, if the barrier function is disrupted, the skin is more susceptible to bacteria and the elements, and ultimately becomes depleted of resources. This results in a “compromised barrier”.
These skins become highly sensitive and quickly react to inferior products containing dyes, preservatives, and fragrance. Compromised Barrier is frequently mistaken for Rosacea because it leads to increased redness & inflammation, but the treatment plan is slightly different.
With a Compromised Barrier Skin we want to give the skin special attention by repairing from the inside out and focusing on epidermal health. Our philosophy is gentle yet effective and can take compromised skin to a healthy normal place:
- Strengthen Dermis
- Rebuild Epidermis
- Restore Lipids & Hydration
Strengthen Dermis
The dermal layer of the skin is the precursor to a strong epidermal layer and a properly functioning barrier. The dermis requires resources to provide healthy collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and blood vessels for the epidermis. With the application of encapsulated retinaldehyde, stem cells, and pyruvic acid, we can restore and fortify the dermis while optimizing cellular energy and cellular function.
Rebuild Epidermis
Repairing and rebuilding the epidermal layer relies on an abundance of resources, including those received from the dermis and topical vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, and E offer both vitamin and antioxidant properties. In addition, they can thicken the dermal layer, defend against free radical damage, and heal weakened barriers.
Restore Lipids and Hydration
Compromised barriers also suffer from trans-epidermal water loss, which can be remedied with specialized hydration and lipid support. Various humectants, organic oils, and omegas bind and seal moisture into depleted skin, increasing hydration levels, improving overall barrier function, and reducing irritations and reactiveness.
Factors that May Lead to Compromised Skin
Weather – elements such as sun, strong winds, cold, and humidity.
Medication - prescription-strength topicals (Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac), prescription drugs, cancer treatment
Medical Conditions – Auto-immune diseases, cancer treatment, allergies
Skin Care Products – or cosmetics that contain dyes, preservatives and fragrances, hair sprays, hydro-alcoholic or acetone substances and cosmetics that cause redness or stinging.
Rhonda Allison offers many excellent soothing, strengthening topicals for reactive, compromised skin types. Blending intelligent ingredients that harness the power of stem cell technology with calming, anti-inflammatory botanicals such as sea buckthorn oil, white willow, magnolia bark, red clover and rhodiola rosea root, Rhonda Allison is a natural selection to support and enhance the health of your skin.
Click Here to see our product recommendations for compromised/sensitive skin.
Click here to discover more on our philosophy to addressing compromised skin, check out our Compromised Barrier Website.