#Damaged skin barrier skin#

#Damaged skin barrier skin#

Just remember, if your skin barrier is compromised, it means your skin’s permeability has increased. You’ll also need to make sure your cleanser is a low-foaming, mild cleanser with a slightly acidic pH level such as a cream or gel cleanser, so you don’t end up drying your skin out from the very first step. These include ingredients such as vitamin C, chemical exfoliants (BHA, AHA, PHA, lactic acid), fragrance, chemical UV absorbers, and essential oils. A very mild, non-stripping cleanser, a gentle cleansing oil or balm if you need to wear makeup (though skipping it altogether would be much more beneficial), a moisturiser, and a mineral sunscreen.ĭuring these period, make sure your skincare products don’t contain any potential irritants or drying elements that could further weaken your already vulnerable skin. Instead, press reset on your skin and strip your routine down to the strictest essentials. The worst thing you can do now is pile on more products and ingredients that will exacerbate the situation. Your skin has been beaten into an extremely fragile state and left with little to no time to repair itself. Meaning no toners, no actives, no exfoliants, no multitaskers – you get the gist. Keep it simple Photo: Krave BeautyĪs painful as it is, now is the time to step far away from your plethora of skincare products. Other factors that can weaken your skin barrier include stress, hormonal changes, UV damage, and pollution. This is usually caused by unhealthy skin habits such as over-washing, using harsh products or highly alkaline cleansers, strong acne medication, over-exfoliating, and overloading your skin with products you probably don’t even need. It works like a shield for your skin, protecting it from harsh elements and irritants, while holding in moisture to prevent your skin from dehydration.Ī damaged skin barrier can lead to the skin issues you usually face, such as blemishes, redness, dryness or dehydration, oiliness, and even increased sensitivity.

Your skin barrier is the outermost protective layer of the epidermis, also known as the acid mantle.

All it takes is some willpower, a bit of knowledge, and a whole lot of patience. Thankfully, all hope is not lost, and you can easily nurse your damaged skin back to health. If you’ve tried pretty much everything under the sun and your skin is still freaking out, chances are – you have a damaged skin barrier. Have you ever noticed that no matter how complex your skincare routine is, you simply can’t fix that oily skin that feels really tight at the same time? Or how your breakouts and inflammation simply won’t calm down despite trying out the best chemical exfoliators and creams on the market? Or perhaps one day you found that some of your tried and true skincare products are now suddenly causing your skin to react negatively.