“My skin feels tight and peels sometimes”
“My skin turns red from time to time”
“My skin is not smooth and has small imperfections”

If this sounds like you, you may have an impaired skin barrier.

Before we can determine the state of your skin barrier and how to go about fixing it, you first need to know what your skin barrier is.

So what exactly is your skin barrier?

Let’s break down a few key components:

Physical barrier

The physical barrier is made up of layers of skin cells, protein, and lipids. Think of it like armor, protecting your delicate skin from the environment; it helps to keep water in and harmful irritants out.

Microbiome barrier

Our skin hosts an interesting ecosystem of microflora. Their interactions with our own cells play a unique role in maintaining our skin barrier and resisting infection by opportunistic organisms.

Immune barrier

Skin immune cells populate both your epidermis and dermis, creating an intricate defense network to deal with challenges such as inflammation and tissue injury.

This triple barrier collectively forms our skin barrier. A disruption in any one of these can result in:

• Increased transepidermal water loss
• Increased penetration of allergens and bacteria
• Colonization of pathogenic microorganisms
• Uncontrolled inflammation
• Poor healing

Could your skin barrier be damaged?

If you are experiencing issues with your skin, it’s possible that your skin barrier has sustained some damage. The damage may be evident based on the way your skin looks and feels, including:

• Itchiness
• Tenderness or sensitivity
• Stinging, especially when you apply skincare products
• Dry, scaly, or flaky skin
• Rough patches
• Unusual warmth and swelling of the skin
• Redness and irritation
• Acne, bumps, or blemishes

The damage comes from things you do (or don’t do) to your skin. So let’s look at ways we can strengthen and restore your skin barrier.

How to prevent damage and heal your skin barrier

The general rule of thumb is to be very gentle when it comes to caring for your skin.

1. Use a mild cleanser: Harsh soaps can strip your skin of its natural oils. Look for cream-based cleansers that are formulated for sensitive skin and are fragrance-free.
2. Avoid over-exfoliation: Microbeads in exfoliants can be problematic because they create tiny tears in your skin barrier. If you have to use an exfoliant, a chemical exfoliant like polyhydroxy acid (PHA) or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is your best bet.
3. Keep your skin moisturized: Moisturizers help replace your skin barrier and keep it healthy. Look for products that contain ceramides, fatty acids, and lipids, which naturally make up a large percentage of your skin barrier.
4. Soothe your skin: Applying calming ingredients to your skin can help break the itch-scratch cycle. Niacinamide is the MVP here as it helps support the production of ceramides. Other ingredients to look for to soothe inflammation include allantoin, licorice, and Centella Asiatica.

It typically takes 2-3 months to start seeing the benefits of your efforts.

It’s no surprise that as you age, your skin ages with you. This means it doesn’t bounce back like it used to after a day in the sun or using a harsh product. Your skincare routine should change with you as you age. You may need to start focusing more than before on strengthening and maintaining your skin barrier.