What is the skin's barrier? 

Think of your skin barrier as the bouncer at an exclusive club—only the good stuff gets in, and the bad stuff stays out. This ultra-thin but mighty layer keeps moisture locked in while blocking out irritants, pollution, and bacteria. When it's happy, your skin is plump, glowing, and smooth. But if it's damaged? Expect dryness, irritation, and breakouts- the ultimate party pooper! So, treat your skin barrier with care—hydrate, nourish, and don’t over-exfoliate, or you might just get kicked out of the glow club! 

What causes a damaged skin barrier?

Harsh Weather Conditions: this would be if you lived in an area that is extremely cold or extremely hot/humid. Cold weather means there is a lack of moisture in the air which, unfortunately, leaves the skin dry, dehydrated and vulnerable to sensitivity. On the other hand, an extremely humid climate means that the skin is unable to regulate itself due to abnormal amounts of water, sweat and oil production. This may lead to irritation, sensitivity or breakouts. 

Pollution, allergens or irritants: pollution (car fumes, smoke, factory fumes), allergens (pollen, animal hair) or irritants (chlorine, factory air chemicals) can all cause stress on the skin, leading to redness, irritation and premature ageing. 

Over-exfoliation or over-washing: exfoliation of the skin is vital, however, overdoing it with the scrubs, acids, or just simple cleansing, WILL strip the skin of its natural oils, compromise the retention of water, and leave you susceptible to premature ageing!

Excessive sun exposure: not only does excessive sun exposure lead to wrinkles, but it also breaks down the fat molecules in our skin, leaving our barrier vulnerable and prone to damage. Long term exposure to UV rays can cause dryness, hyper-pigmentation. 

Exposure to harsh chemicals: this would be the overuse of, or the unprotected use of chemicals on the skin, such as alkaline bleaches, detergents, or soaps. This, similar to over-exfoliation, strips the skin's essential oils, leaving it dry, sensitive and prone to damage. 

Psychological Stress: stress doesn’t just affect you mentally - it shows up on the skin too! In terms of the skin, stress increases cortisol in the body, which in essence, means an increase in oil (and potentially breakouts) and weakens the skin's ability to repair itself.

What does a damaged skin barrier look like?

Redness

Sensitivity 

Itching 

Flakiness

Inflammation 

Acne 

Rough patches on the skin

Discolored skin 

How do I repair a damaged skin barrier?

Simplify your skin routine. This means stripping back and only using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. A cleanser that has a “milky” or creamy consistency is best!

Avoid your active products. For 4-6 weeks you will have to put a humble pause on your active ingredients. This would be serums that have Vitamin C, Retinol (OTC or prescription), Niacinamide etc. in them. 

Moisturize. Always make sure you are softening, hydrating and protecting that barrier - choose moisturizers that have “ceramides” or “hyaluronic Acid” in them. These are the OG’s for hydration! 

SPF. Sun Protection Factor (Broad-spectrum 30 or 50) is not up for negotiation! Whether it’s a full sunny day, or cloudy outside - the sun's rays are still out! SPF should be applied daily for maximum protection. 

Manage your stress. Like mentioned above, stress can affect the skin. Set yourself realistic boundaries in your life, schedule downtime, and practice mindfulness techniques such as yoga, meditation and breathing techniques.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that we need to listen and look for the tell tale signs of damage to our skin. Whether your skin has suddenly become reactive, inflamed, red or itchy, are all clear signs that your skin isn't happy with you. Take a few minutes to work out why the damage has been done - perhaps you’ve had too much sun exposure, or overused an exfoliator that was given to you for your birthday! By following the tips above, you can protect your skin from the inside-out, and prevent concerns such as acne, pigmentation and wrinkles in the future.