What is a skin barrier?
Skin barrier refers to the outermost layer of our skin. Its main function is to protect our skin from external pollutants, dirt and irritants. A healthy skin barrier is vital to maintain our skin health.
Signs of damaged skin barrier
Burning sensation
If your skin burns when applying products, it could indicate a compromised skin barrier. While sensitive skin can also react similarly, a compromised skin barrier typically causes a sudden, rather than chronic, burning sensation.
Dry, dehydrated and rough skin
An important sign of a damaged skin barrier is the inability to withhold moisture. This manifests as dehydrated dull and rough skin despite taking good care of the skin.
Acne
Inflamed acne can indicate a compromised skin barrier. Your skin barrier is likely compromised if you’re dealing with inflammation-related acne, such as pustules.
Itchy skin
Dryness and dehydration might lead to itchy skin.
These are some of the most noticeable signs of damaged skin barrier.
Causes of skin barrier damage
Over Exfoliation
In the age of chemical exfoliation, it’s easy to overdo it and end up over-exfoliating. While exfoliating is crucial for unclogging pores and preventing acne, exceeding the limits can harm the skin barrier.
Overuse of active ingredients
Using multiple active ingredients in a single routine might cause stress to the skin barrier.
Pollution, Blue light and UV exposure
This is the most important cause of damaged skin barrier nowadays. If your skin isn’t protected from UV rays with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, the sun’s effects can start to deteriorate your natural defence.
How to repair broken or damaged skin barrier
Gentle Cleansing
Using a pH balanced mild face wash is necessary to protect your acid mantle.
Using cream based cleanser (for dry skin, sensitive skin) or mild foaming face wash (for oily skin) will help
Product Suggestion
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For Oily and acne prone skin – Click Here
Humectants
Using products with humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and Pro vitamin B5 on damp skin will help hydrate already dehydrated skin.
Product Suggestion
For Dry and Sensitive skin – Click Here
For Oily and acne prone skin – Click Here
Carrier oils
Using light weight carrier oils to seal in moisture. Choosing the right carrier oil is the key to this step.
Example,
For dry skin can choose argan oil or jojoba oil. For oily skin can choose grapeseed oil or jojoba oil.
Squalene will be a better choice for any skin type
Avoid Harsh ingredients in your skincare
Stay away from using products with alcohol, fragrance and comedogenic ingredients.
Sunscreen
Given that your skin barrier is compromised, it’s essential to shield your skin from sun damage. Opting for a mineral sunscreen is a wise choice for those with a damaged skin barrier. Additionally, it’s important to apply sunscreen indoors as well, since blue light from electronic devices can also cause harm
Product suggestion
Dr. Sheth’s Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++
Sunscoop Hydrating Sunscreen | SPF 50+, PA++++
After following the above steps for 10 days to 2 weeks. You can now incorporate some skin friendly actives in your routine.
Start with ceramide
A compromised skin barrier will thank you if you include ceramides in your routine. Since the molecular size of ceramides is larger. Choosing a product with the right formulation will be beneficial for the skin.
Product Suggestion
For Dry and Sensitive skin – Click Here
For Oily and acne prone skin – Click Here
Include Niacinamide
To get back that lost glow and softness of your skin, start using hyaluronic acid based niacinamide serum.
Incorporating these steps along with a balanced diet can aid in the recovery of a damaged skin barrier.
FAQ on skin barrier
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How long does it take to repair your skin barrier?
It depends on how much is your skin barrier damaged. It can range from a couple of weeks to a few months depending upon the intensity, your diet and skin care.
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What is the fastest way to repair a skin barrier?
By using hydrating products, consuming protein and omega rich foods and drinking plenty of water
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How to tell if a skin barrier is healing?
Your skin feels more hydrated, and there’s a noticeable improvement in its texture, making it less rough.
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Can I use vitamin C on a damaged skin barrier?
After following mild skincare for a couple of weeks you can introduce Vitamin C in less concentration on alternate days. Continue only if your skin isn’t reacting. If there is a burning sensation, it is better to skip Vitamin C and wait till your skin heals from the damaged skin barrier to introduce actives like Vitamin C.
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Can I use AHA while recovering from a compromised skin barrier?
Using a lactic acid-based formulation to exfoliate will be a better pick than using glycolic-based formulations.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-barrier