Causes for Skin Barrier Damage A dry or humid environment. Hot or cold weather. Allergens, irritants, and pollutants. Smoking.
Using harsh cleansers Jaliman says cleansers containing ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate or any kind of detergent or soap can damage the skin's barrier by stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Generally, the skin barrier can start to show improvement in as little as a few days, but full repair typically takes between two weeks to a month. Implementing a gentle skincare routine, avoiding irritants and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key strategies to promote skin barrier repair.
Keep a simple skincare routine
Pick a simple routine that's gentle and hydrating and try to stick to it consistently for 2-3 weeks before reintroducing exfoliants and retinoids (as over-exfoliation and harsh chemicals can wreak havoc on your skin when the barrier is damaged).
Fortunately, the secret to repairing your skin barrier is fairly simple: moisture. Our skin barrier is made of a thin layer of actively shedding skin cells held together with beneficial lipids and ceramides. It seals in hydration so that it can't evaporate into the environment, causing dehydration.
When your barrier is weak because you don't have enough lipids in your skin, Vaseline acts as a substitute for these lipids. Remember the brick-and-mortar analogy? Vaseline fills in the cracks in your skin's “mortar” so that your barrier starts to act in a healthy way again.
Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, support the skin's barrier function by enhancing the production of barrier lipids (remember, a damaged skin barrier happens when too many lipids are broken down). Antioxidants also have natural healing properties to reduce inflammation and protect against water loss.
Harsh cleansers can strip away the essential moisturising and nourishing substances that keep your skin barrier healthy. Do not use abrasive scrubs as they can cause micro-tears to the skin's surface. Instead, use a gentle, leave-on exfoliant. Use fragrance-free skincare products.
Some examples of known skin barrier affecting ingredients include retinoid acid, hydroxy acids, amino fruit acids, and beta hydroxy acids. Also watch for alkaline products that can disrupt the skin's normal PH levels as well as products that contain isopropyl parabens, formaldehyde, and isobutyl.
AHAs: AHAs are exfoliating acids that can be too harsh for a damaged skin barrier, leading to further irritation and sensitivity. BHAs: While effective for treating acne, BHAs like salicylic acid can dry and may strip the skin of its natural oils, further compromising the skin barrier.
Opt for a gentle and nourishing cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from your skin without stripping away your natural oils. Do not use scrubs or harsh exfoliants. Nourish your skin with a hydrating moisturizer consisting of humectants or ceramides for the skin, as it helps restore and repair your barrier.
Benefits and uses of Aquaphor
Hydrating skin and restoring the skin barrier in people with eczema, a chronic condition that weakens the skin's barrier function and causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Improving skin conditions in infants.
Signs of a Damaged Skin Barrier
General skin sensitivity when exposed to certain products or environmental allergens, irritants, and aggressors. Frequent inflammation or swelling of skin. Skin redness and discoloration that occurs frequently. Dry, itchy, or generally irritated skin.
We recommend going with lower concentration if you're just starting out or you have sensitive skin. Remember, potential vitamin C serum side effects include itching, redness, irritation, tingling, and burning. If you experience any of these when using vitamin C, or any skincare product, it's best to shelve it.
Yes. A real concern is the retinol damaged skin barrier, where retinol disrupts the skin's protective layer, leading to increased sensitivity and vulnerability to UV light and pollutants. The skin barrier is essential for retaining moisture and protecting against irritants and pathogens.
Stay Hydrated: Drink enough water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. Internal hydration is vital for good skin. Avoid Harsh Products: Avoid products that contain alcohol, perfumes, sulphates, or harsh chemicals that can irritate or damage the skin barrier.
Petrolatum isn't just an occlusive moisturiser, it is also an emollient. It moves into the spaces around skin cells within the stratum corneum to take the place of lost lipids in dry and/or damaged skin, immediately improving the skin's barrier function1, as well as the skin's smoothness and softness.
Our favorite dermatologist-recommended affordable cleansers are: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, Derma Made Hydrating Cleanser, or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for dry and sensitive skin.
Marisa Garshick's, top do's and don'ts when it comes to repairing a damaged skin barrier. “It is important to avoid any ingredients that can worsen irritation or further compromise the skin barrier such as harsh soaps, abrasive scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids or salicylic acid.