Why the Skin Barrier Matters and How to Strengthen It

For more than 30 years, the BL+ scientists have studied skin ailments associated with a disrupted skin barrier, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, to name two conditions, thereby confirming how vital a strong, intact skin barrier
is for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. When the skin barrier functions properly, it prevents moisture loss, maintains hydration levels in the epidermis, and defends against environmental aggressors, such as UV radiation, free radicals, and pollution.

By combining the restorative forces of Blue Lagoon’s patented Microalgae and Silica with an advanced delivery system designed to go deep into the skin, BL+ COMPLEX is a hydrating, firming, and protective powerhouse that optimizes skin health on a cellular level.

A healthy skin barrier is vital for healthy skin. It is our body’s first line of defense against extrinsic aggressors, such as UV radiation, pollution, allergens, and bacteria. It also prevents moisture loss.

As we age, our bodies synthesize less collagen. This weakens the dermis, which in turn degrades the skin’s outer layer—the epidermis—causing fine lines and wrinkles.

The skin’s dermis layer is predominantly composed of collagen and elastic fibers, which are connective tissues synthesized by dermal fibroblasts. A healthy dermis ensures the skin’s elasticity, firmness, and strength.

Collagen genes COL1A1 and COL1A2 provide instructions for producing collagen. BL+ COMPLEX stimulates collagen synthesis by boosting COL1A1 and COL1A2 mRNA expression. This restores collagen fibers in the dermis, reducing fine lines and wrinkles in the epidermis and reinvigorating the skin’s elasticity, firmness, and strength.

Skin aging is a natural process caused by both internal and external forces. The primary external force is UV radiation, which accelerates skin aging through the generation of free radicals that cause oxidative stress and activate collagen-breaking enzymes.

When skin becomes degraded through exposure to UV radiation, it is said to be photoaged. UV radiation causes the depletion of type I and type III collagen fibers, with the skin losing its elasticity and firmness as lines and wrinkles form.

At the molecular level, UV radiation triggers an increase of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) enzyme expression in dermal fibroblasts. The MMP-1 enzyme catalyzes the breakdown of type I and type III collagen fibers.

BL+ COMPLEX significantly inhibits MMP-1 expression, preventing collagen breakdown and revitalizing photoaged skin.

The skin barrier is vital for healthy skin. It prevents moisture loss and defends against environmental aggressors. As we age, the skin barrier weakens. BL+ COMPLEX stimulates the growth of proteins that govern its strength and structure.

A healthy skin barrier is vital for healthy skin. It is our body’s first line of defense against extrinsic aggressors, such as UV radiation, pollution, allergens, and bacteria. It also prevents moisture loss.

The skin barrier is composed of stratified layers of keratinocytes, the predominant cell type of the epidermis. Keratinocyte differentiation is the process by which these epidermal cells grow into layers, reaching from the depths of the epidermis to the skin’s surface. Robust keratinocyte differentiation—driven by proteins including involucrin, filaggrin, and transglutimase-1—is directly correlated to a strong skin barrier.

BL+ COMPLEX increases the transcription of the genes that encode for these proteins, amplifying keratinocyte differentiation and improving the strength and function of the skin barrier.