Keeping your skin barrier in check is key to a glowing, healthy complexion. Your skin barrier shields the skin from environmental damage and protects against moisture loss, keeping your complexion plump and dewy. If your skin barrier gets damaged, you’ll notice dry, itchy, and generally irritated skin, as well as more breakouts and discomfort. Your skin barrier can be compromised by everyday damage, from UV rays to harsh skincare products to long, hot showers. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and repair your skin barrier and we’re letting you in on the best tips and products out there.
What Is The Skin Barrier?
The skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, is the uppermost layer of skin. It’s the skin’s first line of defence against environmental stressors and irritants, and protects your skin from water loss. Skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. The epidermis is the top layer of skin and stratum corneum is the very outermost layer of the epidermis.
A healthy skin barrier helps keep good things (moisture) in and bad things (allergens and viruses) out. It helps your skin retain moisture so that it’s properly hydrated and appears plumper, which counteracts signs of premature aging. It also helps protect against UV rays (although, UV rays can break down the skin barrier, so sun protection is always key). The skin barrier also plays a role in immunity. When the skin barrier is compromised, it increases the risk of infection, allergic reaction, irritation, itching and pain.
8 Signs Your Skin Barrier Is Damaged
- Dry, itchy or generally irritated skin
- Frequent inflammation or swelling of skin
- Flakiness
- Skin redness and discolouration
- General skin sensitivity when exposed to certain products or environmental irritants and aggressors
- Acne
- Frequent infections
- Feeling of tightness and discomfort
8 Common Causes of Skin Barrier Damage
- Sun damage
- Harsh skincare products
- Severe weather (cold, wind, heat)
- Over washing or over exfoliation
- High concentrations of active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid
- Environmental allergens and irritants
- Stress and increased cortisol levels
- Long, hot showers
How to Protect Your Skin Barrier
6 Best Skincare Tips
- Avoid harsh skincare products, including strong exfoliants, alcohols and fragrances, as well as high concentrations of active ingredients like retinol.
- If you want to use stronger ingredients like retinoids, AHAs and BHAs, start using them gradually (1-2 times per week) and at a lower strength. You can up your usage and strength as your skin grows more tolerant to them.
- Use a hydrating moisturizer day and night. Look for ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane and ceramides.
- Opt for a gentle, moisturizing cleanser. Steer clear of gel or foaming cleansers with fragrance, as they can zap moisture from the skin and disrupt the skin barrier.
- Always wear sunscreen, everyday, even when it’s cloudy. Use SPF 30 or higher. You should also try to avoid prolonged sun exposure.
- Use a gentle chemical exfoliant (AHAs or BHAs) instead of physical scrubs, which can cause micro-tears.
3 Best Skincare Products
1. TULA The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser
This cleanser goes deep into pores to remove impurities and makeup without stripping or over-drying the skin. Probiotic extracts help maintain skin balance, while chicory root nourishes the skin, and turmeric, white tea and blueberry improve skin texture.
2. Eight Saints Cloud Whip Vitamin C Cream
Say hello to your next daily moisturizer. This face cream is packed with antioxidant protection to hydrate, brighten, and block pollution. It absorbs quickly while offering dewy hydration and includes ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin B5 and borage oil for anti-aging and healing properties.
3. THANK YOU FARMER Sun Project Water Sunscreen SPF 50+
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable and this one is top tier. It provides protection from UV rays while giving the skin a boost of hydration with ingredients like aloe extract and centella asiatica. It enhances the skin’s moisture barrier, instantly hydrating the skin.
How to Repair Your Skin Barrier
Along with following the tips above for protecting your skin barrier (sun protection, avoiding harsh products, using gentle exfoliants, etc.), if your skin barrier has been compromised, you can use these tips to repair it.
5 Best Skincare Tips
- Simplify your skincare routine. If you have a 19-step skincare routine, it’s time to pare it down. Keep it simple with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, a gentle moisturizer, hyaluronic acid and sunscreen.
- Use products with hyaluronic acid- HA binds water up to 1,000 times its molecular weight to boost skin hydration. It’s one of the best hydrating ingredients out there.
- Look for formulas with ceramides. Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids found in high concentrations in the stratum corneum. Ceramide-rich products can help improve dryness, itchiness and scaliness due to a poorly functioning skin barrier.
- Prioritize a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you’re eating healthy, staying hydrated, exercising regularly and getting proper sleep each night. Managing stress can also help keep your skin healthy.
- Use barrier repair products. These products are formulated to repair and strengthen the skin barrier with ingredients that soothe and hydrate the skin.
3 Best Skincare Products
1. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
This cream helps repair your skin barrier, offering instant relief and hydration for dry, distressed skin. The nourishing formula includes ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and allantoin to relieve itching and irritation, strengthen the skin barrier and soothe the skin.
2. Honest Beauty Deep Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This hydrating serum plumps your skin and delivers an incredible boost of moisture to your complexion. Made with 3 types of hyaluronic acid, this skin-quenching serum deeply hydrates the skin and helps repair the moisture barrier.
3. COSRX Comfort Ceramide Cream
Since ceramides are naturally found in the skin barrier, the addition of ceramides in this formula helps keep the skin hydrated and healthy. This cream locks in moisture and protects from environmental irritants, packing serious hydration for dry, irritated skin.
If your skin barrier has been damaged, use these tips and products to strengthen and repair your skin.
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