{"id":19447,"date":"2026-01-08T12:04:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T11:04:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cosmacon.de\/?post_type=encyclopedia&#038;p=19447"},"modified":"2026-01-08T12:04:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T11:04:22","slug":"the-skin-barrier","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.cosmacon.de\/en\/glossary\/the-skin-barrier\/","title":{"rendered":"The skin barrier"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The skin barrier: structure, protection, and care<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The skin barrier is a highly intelligent system consisting of keratin, lipids, water, and natural moisturizing factors that protects our skin from drying out and keeps it smooth, supple, and healthy.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important building blocks of the skin barrier<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Keratin \u2013 stability through corneocytes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, consists mainly of keratin. This structural protein gives dead corneocytes their resistance. These corneocytes form a dense, protective layer that is constantly renewed as old cells are shed and replaced by new ones.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Lipids \u2013 the \u201ccement\u201d of the skin<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the keratinization process, lamellar lipid bilayers are formed, which hold the corneocytes together. This lipid matrix consists of:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Cholesterol<\/li>\n<li>Free fatty acids<\/li>\n<li>Ceramides<\/li>\n<li>Sphingolipids<\/li>\n<li>Phospholipids<\/li>\n<li>Triglycerides<\/li>\n<li>Squalene<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another important source of fat is sebum, which contains similar components. These lipids are essential for the barrier function and maintenance of skin moisture.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> NMF \u2013 Natural Moisturizing Factor<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During keratinization, natural moisturizing factors are also produced, consisting of:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Amino acids<\/li>\n<li>Urea<\/li>\n<li>Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid<\/li>\n<li>Lactic acid<\/li>\n<li>Sodium lactate<\/li>\n<li>Glucosamine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These water-soluble substances bind moisture and maintain the elasticity and suppleness of the skin.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Water \u2013 protection through imperceptible loss<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) is a natural process in healthy skin. During this process, water and metabolic products are slowly released through the epidermis. This fluid contains, among other things:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Salts<\/li>\n<li>Urea<\/li>\n<li>Amino acids<\/li>\n<li>Lactic acid<\/li>\n<li>Fatty acids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> The skin&#8217;s own emulsion \u2013 the hydrolipid film<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The combination of lipids, sweat, and water forms a natural oil-in-water emulsion that:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Smoothes the skin&#8217;s surface<\/li>\n<li>Reduces water evaporation<\/li>\n<li>Prevents the penetration of dirt, microorganisms, and chemicals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress on the skin barrier<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The skin barrier is challenged every day. Various influences can throw it off balance:<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>External factors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Dry climate<\/li>\n<li>Cold<\/li>\n<li>UV radiation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Internal factors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Skin aging (reduced lipid and sebum production)<\/li>\n<li>Aggressive cleansing (e.g. with harsh surfactants)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These factors lead to a decrease in moisture retention factors and skin lipids. The result: dryness, tightness, increased flaking, cracks and even inflammation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Targeted care can restore and strengthen the barrier function. Here are some proven active ingredients:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trimoist KMF \u2013 Multi-complex for immediate hydration<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>INCI:<\/strong>\u00a0Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Olus Oil (and) others<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Description:<\/strong>\u00a0White, viscous cream gel, water-soluble<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Concentration:<\/strong>\u00a01\u20135%<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Effect:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Immediate &amp; long-lasting hydration<\/li>\n<li>24-hour moisture<\/li>\n<li>Protection of the hydrolipid film<\/li>\n<li>Tested on sensitive skin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mode of action:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contains plant lipids, moisturizing factors, and film-forming polysaccharides. Skin smoothness, elasticity, and moisture are significantly improved.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baker&#8217;s yeast \u2013 support from beta-glucans<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Key ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li><strong>Sodium carboxymethyl \u03b2-glucan<\/strong>\u00a0(CM-Glucan Granulate)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Magnesium carboxymethyl \u03b2-glucan<\/strong>\u00a0(CM-Glucan Forte)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Properties:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Restores the moisture barrier<\/li>\n<li>Reduces wrinkles<\/li>\n<li>Protection against oxidative stress<\/li>\n<li>Improvement of skin regeneration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Concentration:<\/strong>\u00a00.02\u20130.1%<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Form:<\/strong>\u00a0Powder, water-soluble, alcohol-free<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lipobelle Glacier \u2013 Glacier water in liposomes<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>INCI:<\/strong>\u00a0Lecithin (and) Alcohol (and) Aqua<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Trade name:<\/strong>\u00a0Lipobelle\u2122 Glacier<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Concentration:<\/strong>\u00a01\u20135%<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Effect:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Strengthens and repairs the skin barrier<\/li>\n<li>Refreshing skin feeling<\/li>\n<li>24-hour moisture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Special feature:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The glacier water from the Valais Alps is encapsulated in liposomes, increases the barrier function and provides visible freshness.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PolyFructol Plus \u2013 chicory root extract for wash products<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>INCI (oP version):<\/strong>\u00a0Inulin, glycerin, lecithin, xanthan gum, aqua, etc.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Concentration:<\/strong>\u00a00.1\u20135%<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Properties:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Oligosaccharide inulin, extracted from chicory roots<\/li>\n<li>Intensive moisture retention (48-hour effect)<\/li>\n<li>Also effective in rinse-off products<\/li>\n<li>Maintains skin elasticity despite cleansing stress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AquaCacteen \u2013 prickly pear for sensitive skin<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>INCI:<\/strong>\u00a0Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract + Glycerin \/ Caprylic\/Capric Triglyceride<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Concentration:<\/strong>\u00a00.5\u20132%<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Effect:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Moisturizing and soothing<\/li>\n<li>Ideal for shaving, UV stress, sensitive skin<\/li>\n<li>Contains valuable mucilage, minerals, and vitamins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion: Strengthens the skin barrier \u2013 increases well-being<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An intact skin barrier is essential for healthy, beautiful skin. Caring for it requires a combination of moisturizing, lipid-boosting, and protective active ingredients.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Cosmacon GmbH<\/strong> offers comprehensive consulting and develops customized cosmetic products using innovative raw materials such as Trimoist KMF, CM-glucans, and Lipobelle Glacier. These specifically strengthen the skin barrier and contribute to long-lasting skin health \u2013 scientifically proven and formulated to be skin-friendly. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cosmacon.de\/en\/contact\/enquiry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact us<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>When products are needed quickly:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2728 Our partner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tojocosmetics.de\/en\/produkte\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tojo Cosmetics<\/a> offers innovative, active ingredient-rich private label products \u2013 quickly available, high quality and perfect for brands that want to impress with passion and quality.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 The skin barrier: structure, protection, and care The skin barrier is a highly intelligent system consisting of keratin, lipids, water, and natural moisturizing factors that protects our skin from drying out and keeps it smooth, supple, and healthy. &nbsp; &nbsp; The most important building blocks of the skin barrier Keratin \u2013 stability through corneocytes&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19448,"template":"","class_list":["post-19447","encyclopedia","type-encyclopedia","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The skin barrier: structure, protection, and care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how the skin barrier works, what affects its integrity, and which cosmetic ingredients\u2014like Trimoist KMF and CM-Glucan\u2014help restore and protect it. 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