How to Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier: 7 Expert Tips

Have you heard about the latest “skin barrier repair” trend? It is a hot topic right now and for a pretty good reason. We are constantly bombarded with skincare products that promise to offer all sorts of benefits.

The truth is, many people go to a dermatologist because they think they’ve damaged their skin barrier by using products that were never meant for their skin.

When you restore and repair the natural barrier function, you keep the skin protected from external threats, like chemicals or allergens. The question is, how do you know if you have a damaged skin barrier? What are the products you can rely on?

Let’s look at the guide below.

What Is Your Skin Barrier?

The skin has different layers, and each one has its impact. The outer layer, called a skin barrier or stratum corneum, is like a brick wall. Here, the cells (or in this case the bricks), are bound by a lipid membrane (mortar).

The membrane is packed with fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. This wall is what stands between your inner skin layers, organs, and the outside world.

According to studies^[1], if the barrier is damaged or changed in any way, it can cause a vicious cycle of inflammation and skin problems like redness, inflammation, itchiness, breakouts, impaired wound healing, and more.

Skin barrier repair is meant to mitigate these challenges and get your barrier’s function back on track.

What Could Damage the Skin Barrier?

The second the skin barrier gets compromised, the lipid matrix becomes unstable. This causes gaps and cracks. The bigger the damage, the harder it is to keep the germs and irritants out of the skin and prevent water loss^[2].

Many factors can cause this kind of damage. The most known triggers are:

• Old age
• Excess UV exposure
• Environmental pollution & allergens
• Soaps and cosmetics that strip away moisture and natural oils
• Harsh chemicals
• Very low or high humidity
• Dry air
• Mental stress (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc)
• Skin problems (i.e. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, etc)
• Too much washing and exfoliation

How Can I Know If My Skin Barrier Is Damaged?

When you ruin your skin barrier, you will see changes in your skin. It can easily react to products and cause burning or stinging sensations when you apply them. The skin feels very sensitive, flaky, and uncomfortable.

You may also be prone to skin infections, such as inflamed hair follicles, and fungal, and bacterial skin infections. That’s because irritants and other bacteria can penetrate more easily when the skin barrier is damaged.

Overall signs include:

• Heightened sensitivity
• Itchy, dry, or scaly skin
• Broken skin
• Discolored or rough patches
• Acne flare-ups
• Inflammation
• Eczema
• Rosacea

According to studies^[3], atopic dermatitis is a classic example of a skin disorder that can develop from a ruined skin barrier. It affects roughly 5% of adults and 20% of children.

How To Repair Skin Barrier - 7 Tips for You to Try

To work on your skin barrier repair, being aware of the causes is critical. With the tips below, you can take care of your skin barrier and set it on the right path to recovery.

1. Pinpoint What’s Causing the Problem

When you know the cause, you can use targeted and effective solutions.

For instance, if the environment is causing you problems, then you can control some of these aggressors. Dry weather, excess sun exposure, and allergens can irritate the barrier.

Some scrubs, harsh soaps, and hot long baths can have the same effect.

So, to get the right kind of treatment for your broken skin, we suggest you get to the root of the problem.

2. Keep Your Skincare Ritual Simple

Many young people have a skewed perspective of what it means to take care of their skin. They see all these beauty gurus and influencers using a ton of products, and they often think they are not doing enough for their skin.

When you overload the skin with 6 to 10 products or more, you risk causing breakouts, dryness, irritation, and acne flare-ups. Your skin doesn’t need too many chemicals or ingredients to look perfect.

The simpler, the better. Just a couple of daily skincare products should suffice.

3. Get a Cleanser With a Gentle Formula

Do you know how to repair skin barrier? Using a cleanser with a harsh formula can make the stratum corneum contract.

It also strips away some of the moisture and may irritate. The more chemicals you use, the bigger the odds of broken skin.

A gentle formula removes all the impurities and dirt without irritating the barrier. Options like the Rejuvoderm Gentle Clarifying Cleanser can be remarkable for your skin. Blended with lactic acid, lavender oil, and salicylic acid, regular use will give you brighter and clearer skin.

This product leaves your skin feeling clean and properly hydrated. It doesn’t just cleanse the skin, it also boosts the skin tone. With continued use, you can get that smooth feel without messing with your skin’s natural pH balance.

4. Give Your Skin Enough Moisture

For effective skin barrier repair, concentrate on moisturizing your skin. Hydration helps it repair itself, refresh, and regain its former glow.

The Infusoderm Deep Hydration Moisturizer is designed to simplify your routine. It is the ultimate solution for hydrating the skin from within. The formula reduces the appearance of dull skin and supplies it with all the nutrients it needs.

In a couple of weeks, you will notice a drastic improvement in skin brightness and hydration. Consistent use can keep the skin barrier in great shape and offer you a radiant glow.

5. Don’t Skip Sun Protection

Are you wondering how to repair skin barrier? No matter your gender, age, or skin tone, you should use sunscreen with SPF 30 or over. Bear in mind that what’s inside the product matters just as much as the SPF rating.

When you pick sunscreens, aim for broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. You may like a formula that comes with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These two ingredients are considered effective and safe by the FDA.

Try to avoid sunscreen with oxybenzone if your skin reacts to it. This compound may cause pigmentation and skin allergies.

6. Give Exfoliating a Break

If you can’t imagine your day without exfoliating, this is for you.

Exfoliating makes your skin smoother and instantly brighter, but when you exfoliate too much, it can do more harm than good.

Aim for 2 to 3 times a week, and if your skin gets flaky, dry, or red, then give your skin a break. Let it rejuvenate. This is one of the most overlooked options for skin barrier repair.

7. Get a Serum or Toner That Helps With Hydration

The key difference between toner and serum is in their texture. Toner comes in a liquid form, while serum has an oil or gel consistency.

The toner stabilizes your pH level while the serum can target particular skin problems, like fine lines or dryness.

The toner comes with exfoliants that can feel very comfortable on the skin. The serum packs a punch with strong concentrated ingredients that may prove useful for skin barrier repair.

If you are looking for a product that can do the trick, then you might want to try the Stemnucell Hydrating Regeneration Serum. This cutting-edge formula stimulates the natural rejuvenation process and allows the skin to heal quickly.

Thanks to the moisture boost, you can bid farewell to dry patches and broken skin. By using this serum consistently, you can get firmer-looking skin and diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. With it, you supply the body with hyaluronic acid, which is known to have potent anti-aging compounds.

FAQs

What does a damaged skin barrier look like?

As with any skin problem, you can have different levels of severity. A mildly damaged skin barrier causes slight skin sensitivity, mild itchiness, and some dryness. When the damage is severe, you can experience acne flare-ups, infections, inflammation, heavy flaking, and dry patches.

What not to use when repairing the skin barrier?

Don’t use beauty products with strong chemicals that strip away the moisture and oil from your skin. Aggressive exfoliation with brushes, loofahs, and scrubs can also compromise the skin barrier. So, be gentle with your skin and choose formulas that work for you.

How often should you wash your face with a damaged skin barrier?

Wash your face 1 or 2 times a day. People usually prefer to do it in the morning and at night. Ideally, you should opt for low-pH cleansers with gentle formulas.

Another thing to remember is to use lukewarm water instead of too hot or too cold water. By controlling the temperature, you loosen the debris and are less likely to cause any damage to your barrier.

Final Thoughts

We all want to get on board the skin barrier repair trend. That’s why a lot of us reach for as many skincare products as we can to get that ideal complexion. But, that may not be the best approach.

To know how to repair skin barrier, you need to get to the root of the problem and modify your daily skincare routine to help it heal. With some time and effort, you can get the results you’ve always wanted - clean, clear, and radiant skin.

References

1] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8583944/
2] ↑https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12191905/
3] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5911439/