Last year, my stepdad ended up in the hospital. It wasn’t because of heart disease, diabetes or any of the other common health problems that tend to plague many seniors. It was because of his skin.

Or more accurately, because his skin had not done its job of protecting him from microorganisms that cause infection. 

If you think skincare is just about appearance, think again. Skincare is about your health!

HOW YOUR SKIN PROTECTS YOU

Your skin is the body’s largest organ, working around the clock like your heart, lungs and kidneys.

The outer layer of the skin—the epidermis—acts as a barrier, shielding the body from harmful elements like moisture, UV rays, germs and toxins. As long as this barrier is strong and healthy, your skin looks and feels good and can keep you safe.

Unfortunately, this protective layer suffers a lot of wear and tear as we age. Without proper care, it starts to break down.  

Think of your skin like a section of brickwork on a house. When it’s new, it’s solid and the mortar holds them firmly in place. Over time, that mortar can start to chip and wear away. Before long, you have loose and broken bricks. 

The same happens with the skin. It’s built a little like a brick wall, with the skin cells making up the bricks and layers of fat cells acting as mortar. When we’re young, this wall is strong and vital, allowing in only beneficial nutrients (like skin lotion) while keeping the bad guys out. 

But years of sun exposure, dry air, harsh cosmetics, stress and aging take a toll. Cracks open up in the mortar and the structure weakens, leading to sagging and bagging. 

We see these effects in those fine lines and wrinkles that show up—which is bad enough! But there are far more sinister effects that may occur. 

A DAMAGED SKIN BARRIER CAN’T PROTECT YOU

We all know that bacteria and viruses can enter the body through the nose, eyes and mouth, causing infections like the common cold and flu. Most of the time, germs don’t enter through the skin. 

But if the skin’s outer barrier is damaged, the skin loses its ability to protect you. 

That’s exactly what happened to my stepdad. He developed cellulitis—a painful skin infection caused by bacteria that typically affects the lower leg.

This wasn’t a simple little infection—far from it. His lower leg swelled up to more than twice its normal size and was beet red. It was also very painful. As someone who’s been through double hip and double knee replacement surgeries, he said this was much worse. 

He was in the hospital for over a week and it was scary. Despite antibiotics, his leg was only getting worse. It wasn’t until he got a good infectious disease specialist that he started to improve. 

Cellulitis is typically caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. The weird thing is that these bacteria normally live on the skin without causing any harm. But if the skin is broken or the outer layer is damaged, the bacteria can enter the skin and wreak havoc.

IS YOUR SKIN BARRIER DAMAGED?

How can you tell if you have a damaged skin barrier? Ask yourself if you suffer from any of the following symptoms: 

• Dry skin
• Flaky skin
• Red and irritated skin
• Itching 
• Eczema
• Delayed wound healing
• Skin infections

If you have leg swelling (edema)— a common issue among older adults—that also increases your risk of skin infections like cellulitis. A 2021 study found that one-third of patients with chronic edema were likely to develop cellulitis. The worse the swelling, the higher the risk.

The good news is that you can do a lot to shore up your skin barrier and help prevent these types of problems. All you have to do is give your skin the daily care it needs.

To keep your skin strong and hydrated, apply moisturizer every day.

 TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN 

Just as daily brushing and flossing keep your teeth healthy, a simple skincare routine can protect your skin from damage, dryness and infections. Follow these steps: 

• Choose a gentle cleanser. Many bar soaps strip the skin of its natural oils, making it more vulnerable to damage. Those over 40 years old should always use gentler cream cleansers that include some type of moisturizer. 
• Moisturize every day. One of the first signs of skin barrier damage is dry skin. That’s because a damaged skin barrier can no longer hold onto moisture like it should. To keep your skin strong and hydrated, apply moisturizer every day after your shower or before bed. Moisturize all over—your face, arms, legs, hands and feet. 
• Use quality products. Many drugstore moisturizers contain chemicals that don’t help your skin. If your moisturizer leaves your skin feeling dry and tight an hour later, it’s not a good product. Look for those that include natural oils (like jojoba and olive), glycerin, shea and cocoa butter, vitamins, ceramides (fats) and hyaluronic acid (a natural moisturizer).