We’ll go over what a skin barrier is and how it can become damaged. We’ll also give you tips on how to treat and prevent a broken skin barrier.
What’s a Skin Barrier?
The skin barrier is the outer epidermal layer of skin that protects against harmful bacteria entering your body. It also preserves moisture in your skin.
The skin barrier, sometimes referred to as the “acid mantle,” is slightly acidic, which is how it defends against toxins.
Without your skin barrier, your body would be vulnerable to harmful bacteria and be unable to retain water. Your skin barrier keeps your skin firm, plump, and radiant by repelling pollutants and attracting moisture.
How Does the Skin Barrier Get Damaged?
Environmental exposure and lifestyle habits can drastically affect your skin barrier health.
Here are a few factors that can cause a damaged skin barrier:
- • Exposure to harsh chemicals or acids
- • Sun damage
- • Over-exfoliation or depletion of sebum
- • A harsh climate, either too humid or too dry and cold
- • Stress
- • Poor diet
Damaged Skin Barrier Symptoms
When a skin barrier is damaged, it’s unable to repair itself. It’s not protecting against harmful debris fast enough, and it’s not able to retain water.
When this happens, your skin will show signs of:
- • Dry or dull texture
- • Itchy surface
- • Inflammation
- • Acne
- • Infections
- • Hyperpigmentation
How Long Does It Take To Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier?
It can take two to four weeks to repair minor skin barrier damage. That’s as long as you stay disciplined in your regiment and continue to avoid triggers.
For any moderate to severe damage, it can take considerably longer.
9 Steps to Repair Your Skin Barrier
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1. Avoid Exfoliating
Avoid exfoliating until your skin is less inflamed. Grainy and chemical exfoliants strip your skin of its natural oils and can compromise your moisture barrier. Don't exfoliate for the first two weeks of repair, and then slowly reintroduce it to your routine.
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2. Use Gentle Cleansers
Avoid exfoliating until your skin is less inflamed. Grainy and chemical exfoliants strip your skin of its natural oils and can compromise your moisture barrier. Don't exfoliate for the first two weeks of repair, and then slowly reintroduce it to your routine.
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3. Use SPF Daily
Skin is vulnerable to UV rays, and it can lead to a broken skin barrier as well as other skin disorders. Using SPF and limiting your time in the sun will protect your skin from further damage and help keep moisture in
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4. Use Humectants
A damaged moisture barrier means your skin is unable to retain water. Humectants are designed to draw in moisture, so add a few of these products to your routine to boost hydration.
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5. Stay Away From Acidic Products
Remove any acidic, alcohol-based, or high-potency products from your routine, as these can severely irritate and dry out your skin. Avoid ingredients like vitamin C and retinoids until your skin barrier has healed.
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6. Limit Skincare Routine
Try to limit your routine to only the necessities. A bare-bones routine with a gentle cleanser, a pH balancing toner, and moisturizers will help heal your damaged skin barrier faster.
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7. Use Plant-Based Oils to Replenish
A damaged skin barrier is stripped of its natural oils. Using small amounts of oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil can help replenish the oil reserves in your skin.
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8. Don’t Use Hot Water
A damaged skin barrier is susceptible to inflammation, redness, and overheating. Use either cool or lukewarm water when cleansing to reduce inflamed skin.
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9. Be Patient
It can take time and patience to heal your barrier. As long as you’re consistent in your new regimen and avoid harsh products and environments, you’ll have a revitalized skin barrier in no time.
- • Hyaluronic acid
- • Ceramide
- • Glycerin
- • Niacinamide
- • Peptides
- • Plant oils
- • Antioxidants
- • Aloe vera
- • High SPF
- • Salicylic acid
- • Retinoids
- • Vitamin C
- • Alcohol
- • Peroxides
- • Detergent soaps
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"M" Mask – This revitalizing mask is infused with bio-harmonical peptides to enhance clarity and biomimetic peptides to reduce signs of aging. It deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier for a radiant, even-toned complexion.
- Perfect Balancing Toner – This balances your pH and calms irritated skin. It contains sodium hyaluronate, which is a powerful humectant.
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Perfect Moisturizer – – This is a lightweight hydrating moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramide.
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WW Eye Cream – This eye cream is formulated with niacinamide for hydration and plumping. It also has anti-aging effects that help diminish dark under-eye circles.
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Perfect Cleansing Foam – This is a gentle cleanser that contains antioxidant ingredients like green tea extract. It also contains hydrating ingredients like sodium hyaluronate.
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Perfect Sunscreen SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum – This protects against harmful UV rays and contains green tea extract to protect from free radicals.
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WW Day SPF 40 – It’s both a powerful daily moisturizer that contains ceramide and a sunscreen that protects against UVA/UVB rays.
Ingredients For Repairing Skin Barrier
These are ingredients to look for when repairing your skin barrier.
Ingredients to Avoid While Repairing
These are ingredients you should not use while repairing your skin barrier.
