Skin Barrier 101: What It Is, Signs Of Damage, & How To Repair It

These days, the term skin barrier is just about everywhere–all over social media, across the skincare aisle, and on what feels like every product label. But how many of us actually understand what the skin barrier is, how it works, and what a healthy one looks like? Let’s get into it all, including signs of a damaged skin barrier, and how to repair it.

What Is The Skin Barrier?

The skin barrier is what it sounds like: the outermost layer of the skin. Our skin has many layers that all serve different functions. This one, also known as the stratum corneum, is made up of skin cells and the lipids that bind them together. These elements act as a shield against environmental toxins, pollutants, and bacteria that could make you sick or irritated. The barrier also locks in necessary moisture, keeping your body hydrated and helping to maintain a healthy pH.

All in all, the skin barrier is essential for your overall wellbeing, not just your skin health.

What Does A Damaged Skin Barrier Look Like?

To understand what skin barrier damage looks like, let’s first understand the signs of a healthy barrier. Smooth, hydrated, plump skin with little sensitivity and irritation is a testament to a strong barrier. On the other hand, the inverse could mean your skin barrier needs some TLC. Here’s what signs of skin barrier damage might look like:

• Dry, scaly skin

• Itchiness

• Rough or discolored patches

• Acne

• Sensitive or inflamed areas

• Bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections

Causes Of A Damaged Skin Barrier

If you’re feeling some of these symptoms you might be wondering “why me?”. It’s important to understand what causes a damaged skin barrier. Keep an eye out for: 

• Environmental factors: Pollutants, allergens, and harsh weather can irritate and damage the barrier.

• Sun exposure: Damage from UV rays can weaken the barrier and cause signs of aging. Learn more about that here.

• Harsh treatments: Over-exfoliating and over-washing the skin with harsh products (although done with the best intentions) can strip the skin of sebum and disrupt the barrier.

• Lifestyle: Not hydrating enough, or consistently sleeping poorly, eating poorly, and smoking, can have a negative effect on your skin.

• Hormones and stress: A change in hormones or life stressors may cause a weakened barrier.

• Skin conditions: Eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea are associated with a damaged barrier.

Don’t fear–better understanding these causes can help you figure out what your barrier needs, and how to repair it.

How To Repair The Skin Barrier

If you think damage to your skin barrier has already occurred, it’s not too late to fix it. Your skin is resilient and adaptable to changes you make along the way. Healing a damaged barrier means adding the nutrients and care it needs and has been missing:

• Use products with humectants: Look out for ingredients like urea, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. These attract water to the barrier from deeper layers of the skin, and hold it there, ensuring it remains hydrated.

• And ceramides: Ceramides are lipids that actually make up the skin barrier, so adding more strengthens and enforces the barrier. Think of lipids as the cement to your barrier building blocks, aka - your skin cells. 

• Avoid irritants: Limit your exfoliation or use of strong actives (like retinol or vitamin C) for a while, as you build back barrier strength.

• Switch to a gentler cleanser: A mild, non-stripping, fragrance-free cleanser is best, like Baptism. This gentle-yet-powerful formula works hard against impurities and never strips the barrier.

• Wear extra SPF: And this means every day (UV is sneaky). Apply at least two finger-length’s worth of SPF and ensure it can cover your whole face and neck.

• Consider slugging: Adding an occlusive layer on top of hydrating products helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and keeps hydration locked within the skin.

Think your barrier isn’t damaged right now, and want tips to keep it healthy?

How To Keep Your Skin Barrier Healthy & Prevent Future Damage

• Keep your routine gentle: Consistency is key. Avoid regular changes or rapidly adding in high-powered actives.

• Prioritize self care: hydration via water intake, hydration to your skin, and overall activity and nutrition are important for your barrier health.

• Avoid hot showers: Super hot water can dry out your skin and irritate your barrier.

• Keep doing what you’re doing: If your barrier is healthy, you’re doing something right! Stick to the rituals you know and love.
  

Our Go-To Skin Barrier Repair Product: Instant Angel Moisturizer

The ultimate skin barrier protector is our cult-favorite, lipid-rich moisturizer, Instant Angel. This barrier-replenishing formula significantly smoothes fine lines and wrinkles and instantly boosts radiance for glowing skin. How? Through clinically-vetted hero ingredients that nourish and protect:

• 4x Lipids & Ceramides: squalane, meadowestolide, and phytosterols replenish for plump, hydrated skin.

• .5% Dipalmityl Hydroxylproline Peptide: an amino acid that improves the appearance of wrinkles and wrinkle depth.

• 3% Advanced Moisture Complex: a blend of glycerin, urea, and hyaluronic acid provide immediate and long-lasting moisture.

This award-winning moisturizer has thousands of 5-star reviews–take a look at them here and see how Instant Angel has helped people strengthen and protect their barrier.

How Long Does It Take To Repair The Barrier?

So, you’re on a journey to fix your skin barrier. What does that look like? The right products can give you some amazing results after just 24 hours, with even more improvements to your barrier health over time.

In a recent clinical study with 40 participants, Instant Angel was tested over the course of a month. Here were the results over time, measured by Expert Grading and Instrumentation:

• Instantly: Instant Angel was proven to increase hydration by +113%

• In 24 Hours: 100% of people showed improvement in skin barrier repair and visible plumpness

• In 4 Weeks: 100% of people showed improvement in sustained skin barrier strength, and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles

Make Friends With Your Skin Barrier

The ultimate goal is to have a positive relationship with your barrier, consistently. As your outermost layer of the skin, your barrier is important not only for the appearance of a healthy complexion but also for your overall health. After all, your skin is the largest organ in your body.

Repairing your skin barrier and maintaining its health are possible–focusing on your health, using nourishing skincare products, and having a consistent routine make all the difference.

It’s not just Instant Angel that was formulated for the barrier–each one of our products works to maintain or strengthen it, never leaving it stripped or dry. No matter where you are with your skin barrier today, there’s always room to improve it for your best skin yet. You're Dieux-ing Great.