The skin barrier is critical for keeping damaging elements out and balanced hydration. But with the skin barrier conversation gaining traction in the skincare world, there is a lot of misinformation out there.
Keep your skin barrier healthy with a moderate and consistent routine, free of chemicals and irritants. Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser with lukewarm water and avoid excessive washing and exfoliation that can strip natural oils from the skin barrier.
Look for Ceramides
Ceramides are a vital skin barrier component, helping trap moisture and ward off damaging environmental factors. While they can be found in many skincare products, including cleansers and serums, a moisturizer is the best place to see the most benefit from this ingredient.
When ceramide levels decline, the stratum corneum can be compromised, causing it to become dry and flaky. Replenishing these lipids helps restore the barrier and protect against external stressors like sun damage, harsh climates, and age.
Look for products that include ceramides on the ingredients list and other emollients, like shea butter, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, to help maintain a healthy skin barrier. Choosing a formula that includes niacinamide, a soothing antioxidant known to improve skin brightness and reduce hyperpigmentation.
While a healthy skin barrier is essential for all skin types, it’s necessary for those with sensitive, rosacea, or acne-prone skin that can be more easily affected by environmental factors and harsh treatments. To keep your skin barrier tip-top shape, gently cleanse with a non-stripping cleanser. Then, follow a moisturizing routine that fits your needs and concerns. Wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is crucial to safeguard your skin from sun damage.
Look for Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid, a skin barrier-repairing ingredient, is often cited as one of the best ingredients to use in your skincare routine. It is a humectant with the unique ability to attract and bind 1,000 its weight in moisture, meaning it can help boost skin hydration on a surface level. Encourages skin healing and barrier function after procedures or damage.
When selecting the best moisturizer to repair skin barrier, look for one that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It will ensure that the ingredients work together to improve your skin’s barrier function and reduce the signs of a damaged barrier. For added benefits, choose a moisturizer rich in glycerin and niacinamide, as these are both known to support healthy barrier functions.
The first sign of a damaged skin barrier is often dehydration. It can cause dry and flaky skin and lead to uneven skin tone. The best way to combat dehydration and keep the skin barrier healthy is to select a moisturizer stacked with hydrating ingredients that reduce transepidermal water loss.
Another way to help your skin maintain a robust and protective barrier is to avoid products that strip the skin of its oils. It includes many ordinary cleansers, astringents, and toners that contain alcohol. Instead, opt for a gentle, non-stripping cleanser that respects the skin barrier.
Look for Glycerin
Glycerin hasn’t enjoyed the same level of celebrity as hyaluronic acid, but it’s no less important in your skin. This naturally-occurring humectant works with your skin’s natural moisture channels (aquaporins) to keep hydration locked in, even when the skin barrier is compromised.
It benefits those with dry, sensitive skin who may get irritated or flaky. A board-certified dermatologist says those with a damaged skin barrier tend to lose water from the surface of their skin, leading to dehydration and itchiness. Glycerin helps trap that moisture, making the skin feel smooth and soft.
A healthy lipid barrier is vital for protecting the skin from harmful agents like UV rays, bacteria, free radicals, dirt, pollution, and excessive alcohol intake, which can all contribute to inflammation, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and other common issues often associated with a compromised lipid barrier. Glycerin’s hydrating properties help protect and strengthen the barrier against damage, so it’s an essential ingredient to look for in products that can repair and enhance the barrier while delivering intense hydration.
You’ll want to find a glycerin product in leave-on formats, like cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, where it can sit on top of the skin rather than being rinsed away. Then, it can be absorbed through the pores and into the deeper layers of the skin, where it works to lock in essential moisture.
Look for Oil Cleansers
The skin barrier is essential for keeping damaging elements out and balanced hydration, but it’s vulnerable to many things that can degrade the structure. Things like excessive alcohol use, poor diet, harsh cleanser ingredients, and exfoliating too often or roughly can all cause the barrier to break down, leading to dryness, irritation, and breakouts.
Luckily, fixing a damaged skin barrier with the right products is not difficult. It’s essential to choose a non-comedogenic gentle cleanser free of irritants, then follow with a nourishing moisturizer suited for your skin type. Adding in a protective layer of barrier-repairing ingredients can help speed up the repair process of a compromised skin barrier.
Oil cleansers are also crucial for restoring and balancing the barrier. They are similar to your natural oils and can help draw out dirt, pollution, and other environmental toxins that might be trapped in pores.
Moisturizers that contain humectants can also improve barrier function, as they attract moisture and keep it on the surface of your skin rather than letting it evaporate. Specifically, look for a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or honey to help lock in the skin’s natural moisture and improve barrier function.
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