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.
Use a rich moisturizer: Opt for a thick, ceramide-rich moisturizer like Cetaphil's Moisturising Cream, which helps restore the skin barrier and keep it moisturized. Apply it twice daily for best results. Incorporate a niacinamide serum: Niacinamide is a powerful ingredient that repairs skin barriers.
This can vary from one person to the next, but the average skin cycle is 30 days long, which means it may take around one month before skin starts to feel calmer. However, if the damage is extreme, healing your skin barrier could take up to six months.
The good news is, even if your skin barrier is compromised or weak, all is not lost. The skin barrier can repair itself over time naturally (if the damage is mild, it can return to a balanced state within a few hours; it can take longer if the symptoms are more severe).
To help repair a compromised skin barrier, try incorporating these products: Step One: Gentle Cleanser - We love Gentle Cleansing Lotion. Step Two: Vitamin C - If your skin is super sensitive/irritated, stick with a vitamin C derivative like C+ Correcting Complex 30% (the main ingredient is THD ascorbate).
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.
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.
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.
Eucerin's Aquaphor range is designed to provide intensive care for damaged skin, particularly for conditions such as cracked skin, which can result due to a compromised skin barrier.
Avoiding harsh or irritating ingredients will also speed up repair. “Alcohol, fragrances and strong acids such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid can disrupt the skin barrier and cause further damage,” continues Dr Ifeoma.
It is well known that adequate water intake and moisturizer application improves skin barrier function.
Using too many products or harsh ingredients can damage the skin barrier and lead to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Stick to a simple routine that includes a gentle cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you have a skin condition, follow your treatment plan as directed by your doctor.
It's fine to use Salicylic Acid as part of your daily skincare routine. Doing so will help to keep your skin clarified and refreshed while limiting excess oil production.
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.
Hardening of skin and connective tissue (scleroderma): Applying hyaluronic acid to the skin might make skin ulcers worse in people who have a condition called scleroderma. If you have scleroderma, don't use hyaluronic acid on your skin.
If your skin is dry or sensitive, then ceramides are perfect for the restoration and tightening of your skin barrier while locking in moisture for long-term protection. If your skin is oily or dehydrated, hyaluronic acid is excellent for delivering lightweight hydration without clogging pores.
A well-formulated toner also helps balance your skin's pH level after cleansing. The key here is to avoid toners with alcohol in them, as they will dry out and damage your skin barrier.
Yes, dermatologists totally recommend slugging if you have a damaged skin barrier or dry skin. "Slugging can help your skin heal when the barrier has been compromised in some way," says Dr. Greenfield.
Signs of Skin Barrier Damage
Dry, Flaky Skin: A healthy skin barrier retains moisture and maintains a balanced hydration level. Damage can lead to moisture loss, resulting in skin that appears dry, flaky, and sometimes peels, revealing an inability to retain water.
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.