Repairing your Skin Barrier in 3 easy steps - Skin Care 101

Your skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, is the protective layer of top skin- shielding you from bacteria, viruses and allergens. It protects the bottom layers from extreme temperatures and prevents inflammation by keeping the skin hydrated. It’s so important, and yet so unintentionally neglected or abused by many.

This layer, composed of dead skin cells, fatty acids and ceramides, that's function is symbiotic with the layers below, doesn’t need much! In fact, if it's damaged, the less you do the better. I have 3 simple steps to get your skin barrier back to a balanced state, but first let’s address how to detect if you’re skin barrier is damaged or out of balance.

Usually there are some tell tale signs, like dryness, flakiness, increased breakouts, infections, and inflammation. When applying products does it sting or burn? Eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are also indicators of a damaged and dysfunctional barrier.

If you are experiencing a damaged barrier that is more than dryness, flakiness, breakouts and inflammation or this condition has been persisting for a while, I would recommend going to a dermatologist or your primary doctor. Your skin is your largest organ, and though there is a lot you can educate yourself on and do for yourself- there are times it’s best to get professional help. Whether this is a more serious medical issue or not, I still believe these steps can help you in the mean time.

1. Use gentle products ONLY

Cut out all exfolation and/or Vitamin A derivatives (retinol, retinal, tretinoin etc.).

Take a look at your whole regimen- are you using too many clarifying products, or products with exfoliants that you weren’t away of? Exfoliation is beneficial and has its time and place, but when over done or used on a damaged barrier it can be harmful to your skin. This can have the opposite effect you want, leaving you vulnerable to bacteria, infection and inflammation.

2. Focus on Hydration and Moisturization

Hydration (water) heals and moisturization (oil) helps strengthen and keep hydration within the layers.

For hydration look for products that contain Humectants- which are ingredients that grab and hold onto water molecules to hydrate the skin efficiently. Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid are two examples of popular humectants that work very well!

Seal in the hydration with a few drops of an oil or balm, like Rosehips seed oil, on top of your moisturizer if you're feeling extra dry. I like rosehips seed because it's very similar to our own skins oil and it absorbs nicely without feeling oily.

3. WEAR SPF

Wear an SPF every single day. UV rays damage not only the barrier but your own skins DNA- potentially leading to cancer cells forming. The sun cooks our skin, and water evaporates from it like food on a stove, leading to inflammation and a compromised barrier. Next week I'll be releasing an SPF Bible Post and go more into how SPF protects us and from what. If you want to know more about why an SPF is important you can read about it here.

In this case stick to minimalism, you don't have to go out and buy a whole new regimen. Most of the time we already have these basic products in our routine. Use what you have, and pause any products that can be sensitizing your skin like retinol and exfoliants.

However long you decide to follow these steps depends on your own skin and healing barrier journey. When starting to add products back in start slow- one at a time and spaced out with days in between to see how your skin responds.

If you have any questions feel free to message me

Thank you for reading and being here <3

-Rachel