Our skin barrier acts as a protective shield, helping to keep our skin
hydrated while also preventing irritants, bacteria, pollution and UV rays
from penetrating into the epidermis. A healthy skin barrier has no problems
performing this role every day, however a damaged skin barrier requires a
bit of care and attention to get back to full health.
What Are The Signs Of A Damaged Skin Barrier?
Persistent dryness is one of the first signs that your skin barrier might be
struggling, particularly if your skin also feels inflamed and itchy. You
might also notice that your skin stings or burns when applying cleansers,
serums or moisturisers that you've used previously with no issues.
Other signs of a compromised skin barrier include patches of scaly, peeling
or flaky skin, increased breakouts, bacterial or fungal infections, and
visible redness or consistent flushing.
What Causes Skin Barrier Damage?
There are a number of different factors that can cause damage to the skin
barrier, including over-washing, over-exfoliation or using skincare products
that are too harsh for your skin type. Consistently under-hydrating your
skin can also cause skin barrier damage, as can exposure to harsh weather
conditions, including dry air, cold winds, and excessive amounts of
sunshine.
How Can I Repair My Skin Barrier?
Simplifying your skincare routine is essential, so let's take a look at what
a gentle three-step skin barrier healing routine looks like.
1. Use A Gentle Cleanser
Avoiding over-washing or stripping your skin is key, so choose a mild
cleanser that will gently remove oil and impurities. The Medik8 Gentle
Cleanse is a silky foam formula which is infused with glycerin to leave your
skin feeling clean and hydrated. The SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser is
another great option, as it contains a range of gentle ingredients,
including emollients to soothe the skin and prevent intolerance.
2. Choose A Moisturiser Designed To Support Your Skin Barrier
Moisturisers with skin barrier supporting properties are often slightly
thicker in formula and are designed to lock in moisture with the help of
ingredients including ceramides, glycerin, fatty acids and hyaluronic acid.
The Obagi Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream is a great example of a
barrier-healing moisturiser as it's formulated with BarrierPlex technology,
which includes postbiotics, soothing ingredients such as niacinamide, and
hydrating agents to rebalance and restore your skin's microbiome.
3. Use A Protective Mineral Sunscreen
A compromised skin barrier requires extra protection from the sun, so it's
important to use a gentle mineral-based sunscreen after your moisturiser
every morning, even on cloudy days. The Obagi Sun Shield Mineral Broad
Spectrum SPF50 is an ideal option because it has a lightweight,
fast-absorbing formula that's hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin.
Other Tips For Healing Your Skin Barrier
When healing your skin barrier, it's also important to avoid all potential
irritants, including products with active ingredients such as retinoids,
acids, and benzoyl peroxide. Some of the signs of irritation should start to
subside within a couple of days of starting your simplified skincare
routine, but don't be tempted to reintroduce harsher products too quickly
because it can take up to six weeks for your skin barrier to fully heal.