To help the stratum corneum heal, use a thick moisturizer each day that contains ingredients to support the skin barrier, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Ceramides and occlusive moisturizers are also beneficial.
However, if the damage is extreme, healing your skin barrier could take up to six months. Just make sure you remain consistent with your reparative routine, and don't be tempted to stray from nourishing cleansers and face creams.
A damaged skin barrier will appear as skin that's red, dry, or flaky. This may happen in specific areas (such as your cheeks) or over a larger area (for example, if you have dry legs in the winter). You may also notice that your skin feels itchy or irritated.
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.
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.
Benefits and uses of Aquaphor
Moisturizing and protecting dry skin. 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.
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.
Natural oils such as sunflower, sesame, or safflower seed oil have been suggested as good options for their use in promoting skin barrier homeostasis [119].
Can You Permanently Damage Your Skin Barrier? The good news is that nothing is permanent when it comes to your skin barrier. 'It is very difficult to permanently damage your skin barrier unless you have a cause or prone to a type of cause that can damage your skin barrier.
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.
Hyaluronic acid regenerates the lipids in the skin's barrier, which helps the skin hold water more effectively. The skin's barrier, thus, works best by helping keep the cells in balance. Hyaluronic acid also protects the skin from free radicals and other external toxins.
Restore your skin with antioxidants
Help replace depleted skin lipids by incorporating antioxidant-rich ingredients into your daily skincare regimen. Ceramides and niacinamide are helpful for replenishing the skin barrier, while hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol will help your skin retain water.
Cover broken skin with a thin layer of a topical steroid then a thick layer of a cream or ointment. Then, put a wet bandage over the ointment and cover that with a dry bandage. The bandage will help your skin absorb the cream and stay moist. Ask your doctor to show you how to wrap your skin.
The time it takes to repair the skin barrier can vary depending on the severity of the damage, the underlying cause, and an individual's skin type. In general, minor skin barrier damage may take a few days to a week to heal, while a more severely compromised barrier may take several weeks to months to fully recover.
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.
Hydration is key to repairing a damaged skin barrier. Look for a hydrating serum or essence that contains certain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. All these ingredients greatly help attract and retain moisture, hydrating the skin from within.
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.
Best Overall: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream, $49. Best for Sensitive Skin: Deinde Barrier-Building Moisture Cream, $64. Best for Dry Skin: Rhode Barrier Restore Cream, $32.
Here are a few signals that can point to a compromised barrier: Skin looks and feels irritated — it's red, tight, dry, flaky, and itchy.
Honey contains antioxidants that work to repair damaged cells and restore a healthy skin barrier. With continued use as an exfoliator, honey can eventually lighten hyperpigmentation and smooth out skin with an uneven tone or texture.
Harsh soaps or cleansers. Over exfoliation or aggressive exfoliation scrubs, loofahs, or brushes. These products can strip away protective lipids and cause barrier damage. Chlorine causes dryness and irritation, leading to an increase in susceptibility to infection.
In terms of feel, Vaseline is a bit heavier and greasier, whereas Aquaphor is a bit lighter and easier to spread. Dermatologists say deciding which one to use often comes down to personal preference. One thing to keep in mind is that you'll want to use caution with these products if your skin is prone to breakouts.