That is right. Skin becoming sensitive and flushed is more than just weak skin; it is a crucial sign that our skin's foremost defense line, the skin barrier, has been damaged. This skin barrier is structured like bricks and mortar, where the bricks are keratinocytes and the mortar is composed of intercellular lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. When this barrier—which ought to be solid—breaks down, external irritants and bacteria penetrate easily, while vital moisture within the skin rapidly evaporates.
From the perspective of modern medicine, a deficiency of body fluids in Korean medicine can mean that the amounts of vital water and moisturizing factors composing the skin, especially the natural moisturizing factor, have decreased, or that the ratio of intercellular lipids such as ceramides has collapsed, weakening barrier function. When body fluids are lacking, skin cells fail to receive adequate nutrition and moisture, losing their proper function; as the skin renewal cycle is disrupted, skin texture turns rough and loses elasticity.
When the skin barrier is damaged, the skin triggers an inflammatory response to activate its defense mechanisms. Redness and a burning sensation on the skin are caused by this very inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation destroys skin components like collagen and elastin, accelerates skin aging, and can even lead to chronic skin disorders like atopic dermatitis or rosacea. Furthermore, it affects the microbial balance on the skin surface, known as the microbiome, creating an environment favorable for the proliferation of harmful bacteria.
The problem does not end here. A weakened skin barrier reacts hypersensitively even to minor stimuli. For instance, washing with hot water, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, friction, and even using supposedly good, harsh exfoliators or alkaline cleansers can place heavy stress on the skin. Such external irritants weaken an already damaged barrier even further, causing a vicious cycle that worsens inflammation. Therefore, going beyond merely applying moisturizers on top, a fundamental approach to replenish body fluids within the skin and strengthen the barrier itself is necessary. This is because the skin barrier does not simply protect the surface; it is a core factor dictating overall skin health and aging.
