The Science of Faith & Sage

The Science Behind Healthy Skin

Understanding the skin barrier, moisture loss, ingredient functions, and our approach to gentle, barrier-supportive skincare.

Healthy skin is more than skin that feels soft. It is a living barrier that helps retain water, protect against irritants, and support the skin’s natural defenses.

When the barrier is weakened, skin may lose water more easily and become dry, rough, sensitive, or itchy. Faith & Sage develops skincare around a simple principle: understand the barrier first, then choose ingredients that support it thoughtfully.

The skin barrier is made up of interacting physical, chemical, microbiological, and immunological systems—not just one layer or one ingredient.

1. What is the skin barrier?

The “bricks and mortar” model

The outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum, is often described as having a “brick and mortar” structure.

The “bricks” are corneocytes, mature skin cells that help provide physical strength.
The “mortar” is made up largely of lipids, including ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.
Together, these components help reduce excessive water loss and protect the skin from external stressors.

Researchers have used this analogy to describe how corneocytes and intercellular lipids work together to create a water-resistant barrier.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih+1

THE BRICKS AND MORTAR MODEL

💧 💧 💧 💧

Water stays in

Corneocyte (skin cell)

Barrier lipids (mortar)

✹ ✹ ✹ ✹ ✹

Irritants kept out

♧

A strong barrier helps skin hold on to water while providing protection from the outside world.

The skin barrier does more than retain moisture

✔️

Reduce transepidermal water loss, or TEWL.

✔️

Limit exposure to irritants and allergens.

✔️

Maintain an appropriate skin environment.

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Support the skin’s microbiological and immune functions.

✔️

Keep the outer layer flexible and intact.

2. What changes in eczema-prone skin?

Eczema, including atopic dermatitis, is associated with skin-barrier dysfunction and inflammation. However, eczema is not caused by exactly the same factor in every person. Genetics, immune activity, environmental exposures, irritants, allergens, climate, and other factors may all contribute

💧

Increased Water Loss

When the barrier is disrupted, water can escape more easily through the outer layer of the skin. This is called transepidermal water loss, or TEWL.

Higher TEWL is associated with greater barrier disruption, while skin hydration and TEWL can provide useful indicators of barrier condition.

↻

A Cycle of Dryness and Irritation

A weakened barrier may contribute to a cycle:

1

The skin loses water.

2

The outer layer becomes dry and less flexible.

3

Irritants may penetrate more easily.

4

The skin becomes more reactive.

5

Scratching can create additional physical damage.

6

Inflammation may further compromise the barrier.

i

This does not mean that every person with eczema has the same barrier defect or trigger. It means that barrier support is one important part of an individualized approach to eczema care.

BALANCED VS. DISRUPTED BARRIER

Balanced barrier

↙ ↙ 💧

💧

Closely organized
skin cells

🍃

More intact
lipids

◯

Less water
escaping

Disrupted barrier

↑ ↑ ↑

✹ ✹ ✹

✹

Wider spaces
between cells

💧

More water
escaping

✹

Greater vulnerability
to irritants

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Suggested wording for parents

Eczema-prone skin may be more vulnerable to dryness and irritation because the barrier does not always retain water or respond to environmental stressors in the same way as unaffected skin.

Skincare can help support the barrier, but it cannot identify every trigger or replace medical treatment when inflammation is significant.

3. Why adding water alone is not enough

Water can temporarily hydrate the surface of the skin, but hydration is not the same as maintaining the barrier.

A moisturizer usually combines several types of ingredients that work in different ways:

Ingredient group	What it does	Common examples
Humectants	Attract and hold water in the outer skin layer	Glycerin, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid
Emollients	Smooth rough areas and improve flexibility	Plant oils, fatty alcohols, esters, shea butter
Occlusives	Form a protective film that slows water evaporation	Petrolatum, dimethicone, certain waxes and oils
Barrier-supportive lipids	Supplement or mimic lipids involved in the outer barrier	Ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids

Hydration is one part of moisturization.

Effective moisturization is about more than adding water. It is about helping the skin attract water, retain it, smooth the surface, and reduce unnecessary loss.

“Apply after bathing” explanation

After bathing, gently pat the skin dry and apply moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp. This can help preserve water at the skin’s surface.

However, the exact benefit depends on the entire formula and routine—not simply on applying a product to wet skin. Pediatric eczema guidance commonly recommends gentle cleansing followed by moisturizer application.

Key Ingredients in Our Formulas

We select ingredients with evidence and traditional use to help support the skin barrier, hydrate, soothe, and protect.

1. Thermal Water

(Taranaki, New Zealand)

Naturally mineral-rich geothermal water selected to support gentle hydration and a comfortable skin feel.

SOOTHES & HYDRATES

2. Colloidal Silver

Included as part of a thoughtfully designed formula with ingredients selected for function, compatibility, and stability.

CAREFULLY SELECTED

3. Colloidal Oatmeal

A well-known skin-conditioning ingredient used to help moisturize, soothe dryness, and support the skin barrier.

SOOTHES & SUPPORTS

4. Kawakawa

(Piper excelsum)

A New Zealand botanical traditionally valued in skincare and selected by Faith & Sage for its role in gentle, skin-focused formulations.

CALMS & NURTURES

✓ No Steroids

✓ No Parabens

✓ No Added Fragrance

✓ No Dyes

Thoughtfully formulated for sensitive family skincare.

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PLUS MORE CAREFULLY CHOSEN INGREDIENTS

Sunflower Seed Oil Jojoba Oil Shea Butter Vitamin E Glycerin Ceramides Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)

Repair First. Then Restore.

⚗

Science-led

We combine pharmacist knowledge with scientific research and thoughtfully selected botanical ingredients.

✓

Safety-first

We design every formula with ingredient function, product stability, intended use, and sensitive skin in mind.

♡

Made with care

Developed by a pharmacist and mom with everyday family routines, comfort, confidence, and connection in mind.

Because healthy skin helps little ones grow and thrive with comfort and confidence.

IMPORTANT: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician, dermatologist, or other qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

PubMed

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES