As our collective understanding of skin care becomes increasingly advanced, even amateur beauty fans have started looking into the invisible shield, how it affects skin health, and what our modern skin care routines are doing to it (hint: it’s not so great). Board-certified dermatologist Mamina Turegano, M.D., agrees: “That slightly acidic state serves almost like a protective shield to various invaders like unwanted bacteria or other microbes and contaminants.” Instead, just be mindful of the cleansers you are using: Make sure they are not too stripping (hint: your skin should never feel “tight” after washing; just clean, hydrated, and refreshed). You can also reevaluate how often you wash your face. Perhaps just as damaging as a harsh face or body wash is the act of washing more than you need. A good rule of thumb is to always wash your face before bed, but the rest is up to your skin’s needs. As for the body, here are our guidelines for showering frequency. You can also use hydrators to your advantage by using products formulated with barrier-supporting, biome-friendly, and pH-balancing ingredients. Look for things like ceramides, plant oils, antioxidants, shea butter, as well as pre-, pro-, and postbiotics. This is especially helpful for body parts that you have to wash with more frequency, and thus may have a more vulnerable acid mantle—oh, yes, we’re talking about hands. Since hand washing is a needed part of daily hygiene, protecting the mantle in this area really comes down to selecting a hydrating wash and applying a hand cream immediately following.
