Is ‘repairing skin barrier’ on your to-do list?
If not, here’s why you might want to change that!
How do I know if my skin barrier is damaged?
The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin. It protects the skin and the rest of the body from external threats such as germs, UV rays and pollution, while also retaining moisture and nutrients.
You want to keep the skin barrier healthy because it is the main determining factor in how your skin looks. If the barrier is strong and doing its job, your skin will look hydrated, smooth and youthful.
If this skin barrier is damaged, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Dryness and flaking
- Dullness
- Redness and irritation
- Discoloration and rough spots
- Premature fine lines and wrinkles
- Accelerated aging
- Sagging and laxity
- More sensitivity
What destroys the skin barrier?
Your skin barrier protects you every day. Over time, many things can damage it.
The most common harmful factors include:
- UV radiation from the sun
- Smoking
- Chronic exposure to bad pollution
The way you care for your skin can also damage it. Common skin barrier mistakes include:
- Over-exfoliating the skin, especially with gritty and harsh exfoliators
- Use of aggressive cleaning agents and soap
- Exposure to harsh, harmful chemicals such as fragrances and preservatives
- Excessive use of retinol, acids, peels and other anti-aging ingredients
- Allergic reactions to products or other allergens
Finally, lifestyle habits can damage the skin barrier:
- Suffers from chronic stress
- Eating an unhealthy diet
- Not getting enough sleep
How do I repair damage to the skin barrier?
If you notice that you have some skin barrier damage, you are not alone. With daily wear and tear, the skin can easily become damaged. It often repairs this damage while you sleep. But if you notice signs like dullness and dryness, your skin may be having a hard time keeping up.
Try these seven tips to help your skin regain a youthful appearance.
1. Try a gentler cleansing routine.
Take a look at your current cleaning routine. Are you using a gentle, moisturizing cleanser that helps balance your skin’s pH? If not, try something else. A cheap cleanser contains detergents that strip your skin of its natural moisturizing oils. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, that is not a good sign.
Keep in mind that you can over-cleanse your skin. Some trends on social media suggest that you should cleanse your face for 60 seconds before rinsing it off. This can damage your skin barrier. Instead, gently massage in your cleanser, then rinse and move on to the next step.
2. Reduce exfoliation.
Exfoliating your skin can remove dead skin cells and reveal the younger-looking cells underneath. However, if you do it too often, the skin barrier will suffer. Check your skin for signs. If you notice damage to the skin barrier, reduce your exfoliation to perhaps once a week or even once every ten days.
Also make sure you use a gentle exfoliating product. Those with hard nuts and beads create micro-tears in your skin that damage the barrier. These tears then let in germs and dirt, which can increase acne and inflammation. Instead, use exfoliators with gentle acids such as salicylic acid, malic acid and glycolic acid.
3. Use a moisturizing toner.
After cleansing, help your skin jump-start recovery by using a moisturizing toner. Avoid all alcohol-based toners as they dry out your skin. Look for one with gentle ingredients that shrink pores while leaving moisture behind.
As a natural toner we recommend our Rescue + Relief Spray. It’s cool and refreshing, it leaves your skin hydrated and it also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients that promote barrier repair.
4. Choose a healing moisturizer.
It’s important to get moisture back into your skin if you want to heal the skin barrier. The right moisturizer adds moisture to the deeper layers of the skin while helping to seal it.
Look for moisturizing ingredients like vegetable oils, glycerin, aloe and ceramides, as well as protective antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. We recommend our Calming Moisture as it helps soothe, hydrate and nourish chronically dry skin. It is ideal for a damaged skin barrier as it contains our exclusive Tri-Rescue Complex which stimulates repair and healing. It also soothes irritated skin and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Protect the skin.
As you work to heal the skin, be careful not to continue to damage it. Take some extra steps to protect your skin while it recovers. Stay out of direct sun. Use umbrellas, shade and clothing to protect the skin from the sun.
Use a safe sunscreen with an SPF of 30 (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are best). Then continue to use a product that contains antioxidants (such as our CV Skinlabs products), as these provide extra protection against UV radiation and pollution.
6. Keep your routine simple.
While your skin heals itself, keep your skin care routine simple. This is not the time to try new products. Your skin is more susceptible to irritation and reactions if the barrier is damaged. Play it safe and stick with the products you know will promote repair.
7. Take care of your overall health.
Your skin takes nutrients from the bloodstream to use for recovery. It also has its own immune system. Both are heavily influenced by your overall health and well-being.
If you’re feeling stressed, tired, and generally unwell, consider resetting your lifestyle. Start eating healthier foods. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Incorporate a stress-relieving activity like yoga, meditation, journal writing, pet therapy, and more into your life.
The better you take care of yourself, the happier your skin will be and the better it will be able to repair itself.
How long does it take for the skin barrier to be restored?
How long it takes to repair your skin barrier depends on how severely damaged it is. For example, minor damage may take a few weeks to heal, while more serious damage may take several months.
Other factors that can affect healing time include:
- Age: The older you are, the slower the healing process
- Nutrition – eating a healthy diet can speed up the process
- Medical conditions – if you have medical conditions that negatively affect your health, the skin barrier may take longer to heal
- Lifestyle – if you don’t get enough sleep or are chronically stressed, healing will be delayed
You can speed up the process by following the steps above.
Signs of skin barrier repair
How do you know if your skin is getting better? Look for these signs:
- Less redness
- No itching
- Less flaking or peeling
- Smoother texture
- Improved hydration
- Better color
- Reduced inflammation
- Fewer pimples
- Improved appearance
Have you successfully restored your skin barrier?
Featured image by cotton bro via Pexels.
