The skin barrier is responsible for retaining water in the body, protecting us from unwanted toxins, environmental exposures and helping to keep infections at bay. It’s also important for regulating temperature and it basically just keeps you alive and healthy, so when the skin barrier is compromised, it can create a whole host of issues.
It’s not uncommon for one’s skin barrier to be damaged, with environmental aggressors and certain skincare products commonly wreaking havoc with your skin. The upside here is that your barrier can be repaired and by swapping out a few products, you can give your skin a helping hand to get it back in tip-top shape.
What Causes Damage to the Skin Barrier?
There are a number of reasons why your skin barrier is damaged, with many of these practices easy enough to change so it doesn’t keep irritating your skin. According to Healthline, some of these causes include:
- Allergens, irritants and pollutants
- Too much sun exposure
- Alkaline detergents and soaps
- Over-exfoliation or over-washing
- Steroids
- An environment that is too humid or too dry
What Are the Symptoms of a Compromised Skin Barrier?
There are a number of telltale signs that pop up when your skin barrier isn’t functioning properly. These can include super dry and scalp skin, itchiness, acne, sensitive or inflamed areas, bacterial, viral or fungal skin infection and rough or discoloured patches. If it seems like your skin is constantly cranky, red and irritated despite all of your best efforts, it’s probably your skin barrier.
How to Restore the Skin Barrier
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, chances are your skin barrier isn’t doing very well so it’s time to simplify your skincare routine and give your skin a break. Step away from active ingredients and instead, opt for products, like the five below, that are specifically designed to help heal the skin barrier and soothe sensitised and irritated skin.
