Is Your Skin Barrier Stripped?

Skin health is something most of us are trying to achieve, and it can sometimes be overwhelming. There is so much to know and learn about our skin and how we can help it reach that stage we feel confident and happy with it. It is annoying when you think you are doing everything you can but don't see results. Well, one of the reasons your skin feels tight, dull, dry, and uneven might be that you unintentionally stripped your skin barrier. So what exactly is a skin barrier, that's what we'll dive into in today's post.

*This post contains affiliate links, meaning I'll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. 

What is a Skin Barrier? 

Our skin has three different layers. First, we have the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. All of these layers are slightly different and should be treated as such. So, the skin barrier is a layer that holds the outer parts of the skin together. The signs that the skin barrier is healthy are soft and plump skin. In another case, when the skin barrier is damaged it will feel dull and itchy.

Signs of a Stripped Skin Barrier

Now is a good time to grab a mirror and look for these signs of a stripped skin barrier: 

• Dryness, flaking, and roughness
• Tightness and discomfort
• Increased sensitivity and irritation
• Redness and inflammation
• Breakouts and acne

Causes of a Stripped Skin Barrier

There are a lot of different reasons why your skin barrier is damaged and stripped of all the good parts. 

1. Harsh Cleansers: Although it is important to double cleanse your face to remove all of the impurities that can lead to other skin problems such as breakouts, you need to be careful how you do it. Over-cleansing or using cleansers with harsh stripping ingredients like sulfates or alcohol. Find cleaners that have neutral pH levels and ones that don't have fragrances or other irritating ingredients in them.
2. Over-Exfoliation: Exfoliating is one of the methods that can help your skin look even and improve texture but you should do it one to two times a week. Excessive exfoliation, both physical and chemical, can remove protective oils.
3. Active Ingredients: If you have sensitive skin you need to be extra careful when it comes to certain skincare ingredients. Powerful skincare actives like retinol, AHAs, and BHAs can temporarily disrupt the barrier if not used properly.
4. Environmental Factors: Our skin barrier goes through different stages based on the time of the year. Dry climates, harsh weather, and pollution can weaken the skin barrier.
5. Sun Damage: UV rays are a major contributor to barrier damage, leading to dehydration and premature aging. That's why it is so important to always wear sunscreen, on both sunny and rainy days.

How to Repair a Stripped Skin Barrier

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways you can help your skin barrier to recover. I'm going to share with you products you can check out for each tip I mention so you can take action. 

1. Gentle Cleansing: Opt for gentle, hydrating cleansers that remove dirt without stripping natural oils. I recommend using Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Cleanser. Be sure that when rinsing it off you use lukewarm water as hot water can also damage your skin.
2. Hydration is Key: Focus on products rich in hyaluronic acid (Haruharu Wonder Black rice toner), ceramides, and emollients to replenish moisture and strengthen the barrier.
3. Minimize Exfoliation: Reduce exfoliation frequency and intensity until the skin barrier recovers.
4. Sunscreen Every Day: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily to protect your skin from further damage. Isntree Onion Newpair sunscreen is a great choice for sensitive skin.
5. Look for Soothing Ingredients: Consider incorporating soothing ingredients like centella asiatica, aloe vera, and colloidal oatmeal to calm irritation. Skin1004 has a great Centella line you can check out.
6. Simplify Your Routine: Stick to a simple, non-irritating skincare routine while your barrier recovers. Until your skin barrier is completely healed, make sure that you are introducing skincare products one by one. Look into the ingredient list to make sure that there are not any hidden ingredients that can damage your skin.

Healing your skin barrier might sound like a daunting journey, and at some times it will probably be overwhelming, but know that it is possible to heal your skin if you know the steps. Just taking one step at a time is all you need to do. Be gentle and mindful of the way you treat your skin and the skincare products you use. To make it easier for you to afford the best skincare products, I have a 10-15% off Stylevana discount code INF10SWEET you can use.