Maintaining Your Skin's Moisture

The right product can help your skin stay healthy and hydrated.

Hydration is an essential part of skin health.

As the largest organ in the body, our skin is layered and complex. Each of the layers has a very specific function. The primary job of the outermost skin layer, the epidermis, is to provide protection. When healthy and hydrated, it acts as a waterproof barrier to maintain the skin’s moisture inside your body and minimise the risk of bacteria and infection from the outside elements.

The health of the skin around your stoma can directly impact your quality of life. While regular barrier changes are necessary for stoma care, the skin cells on the top layer of skin can be removed along with your skin barrier. Repeated barrier removal can make it more difficult for your skin to maintain optimal moisture levels, which can lead to skin that is dry and prone to injury.

A certain amount of moisture loss is always happening and is totally natural. We all perspire when we are hot or when exercising. Sweat or no sweat, water passes through the epidermis and evaporates from the skin’s surface throughout the day. This is known as transepidermal water loss, or TEWL. Higher rates of TEWL, however, are associated with irritated skin which also leaves the skin more vulnerable to damage. Both your barrier choice and your skin care routine can positively impact the moisture levels in your skin.

The role of ceramide in maintaining moisture.

Ceramide is a natural component of human skin. Made up of waxy, lipid molecules that link cells together, ceramide helps to form a waterproof, protective barrier to help prevent water loss that can lead to skin damage and dryness.

Mature cells are like bricks, and ceramide is the mortar.

Just like a brick wall needs mortar to keep it strong and firm, the skin needs ceramide to bond the cells of the top layer of skin. The relationship between ceramide and skin health has been well established. Ceramide levels are abundant in healthy skin. When ceramide is depleted, skin may become dry, damaged and inflamed.

The CeraPlus™ skin barrier is infused with ceramide to help:

• The skin retain moisture
• Hold skin cells together
• Replenish the skin’s natural barrier

How you apply and remove your skin barrier also matters.

• Make sure the skin around the stoma is dry and intact before applying the skin barrier.
• When removing your skin barrier, start at the top of the barrier and gently lift the edge of the adhesive with one hand. With the other hand, gently push the skin away from the adhesive.
• Always use warm water to clean the area around the ostomy. Avoid routine use of soap or baby wipes which may make barrier adhesion more difficult or dry out your skin.

If you’d like to request a sample of the CeraPlus™ skin barrier, click here.

To watch a video about ceramides and healthy peristomal skin, click here.