Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, acting like a shield to protect against environmental stressors, irritants, and moisture loss. When this barrier is compromised, your skin becomes more susceptible to dryness, irritation, and inflammation—especially if you have sensitive skin.
Here are some key things to keep in mind for maintaining and hydrating your skin barrier:
- Keep it Simple: Overloading your skin with too many products can actually weaken the barrier. Stick to a minimal routine focused on gentle cleansers and nourishing moisturizers.
- Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize: Hydration is essential for barrier health. Look for products with ingredients like ceramides, phospholipids, and glycerin, which help reinforce the barrier and lock in moisture.
- Be Gentle with Exfoliation: While exfoliation is great for removing dead skin cells, overdoing it can weaken your barrier.
- Sun Protection is Key: UV rays are one of the biggest culprits of skin barrier damage. Always wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days, to protect your skin from harmful UV exposure.
- Mind the Water Temperature: Hot water can strip away the skin’s natural oils. Stick to lukewarm water when cleansing or showering to avoid drying out your skin.
