Your Skin Barrier Is Your MVP So Care for It the Right Way

The health of your skin is determined by the strength of your skin barrier.

The most beneficial trend to take over the skincare community lately is the shift of focus from hacks that offer instant gratification to tips that help with daily maintenance of the skin barrier. The problem is, however, the deeper you delve—the more complicated it gets! If you’ve been scrolling on ‘skinstagram’ only to be confused by ‘stratum corneum’, ‘acid mantle’, or ‘moisture barrier’, we got you! All these terms point to the humble skin barrier that plays an integral role in healthy skin function. And here’s why it deserves to be in the spotlight…

The skin barrier is the topmost layer of your skin that protects your face. It has two major functions that ultimately determine the condition of your skin. Physically, the skin barrier acts as a shield that safeguards the skin from environmental stressors like pollutants, microbes, bacteria, etc., whereas internally, it helps the skin retain moisture by preventing moisture loss from the deeper layers of the skin. Needless to say, if you have a strong skin barrier, you are less likely to experience irritation and more likely to have hydrated, smooth and elastic skin.

What causes damage to the skin barrier?

Unfortunately, your skin barrier is fragile and can get damaged easily by environmental factors like UV radiation and weather fluctuations. Even physical factors like an unhealthy lifestyle, over-cleansing, over-exfoliation or using products that have parabens, sulphates or even seemingly good chemicals over a long period of time can have the same effect. However, some factors like ageing and extreme weather can also contribute to a compromised skin barrier over time.

How to tell if your skin barrier is damaged…

Thankfully, your skin isn’t shy and will tell, or rather show you exactly how it’s feeling. If you notice angry breakouts, dryness, flaking, irritation, sensitivity, itching, burning, tightening or tingling, you’re most likely dealing with a damaged skin barrier. Another tell tale sign is if you experience tingling or burning after applying the products your skin normally loves.

Chamomile for dry skin

Isn’t it just so soothing to snuggle up to a warm cup of chamomile tea before bed? Turns out, chamomile is just as comforting for dry skin. A rich source of antioxidants which help fight skin damage caused by environmental stressors, it also calms dry and irritated skin by giving it a boost of hydration. If flaky skin is a cause of concern, let chamomile be your hero. No, we’re not asking you to go dunk your face into a vat of chamomile tea just yet. Instead, switch to our Superpowered Sugarcane Slurpie Cleanser at bathtime. Its natural sugarcane extracts gently exfoliate dead cells while antibacterial honey and antioxidant-rich chamomile nourish parched skin.

How do I heal my skin barrier?

The good news is that your skin barrier can indeed heal itself. In fact, it only takes about 2-3 weeks for it to heal completely and go back to being normal. That being said, you shouldn’t stand back and leave your skin to do all the heavy lifting. The next time you notice damage, try this:

1) Strip down your routine

When your skin barrier is damaged, nothing helps as much as going back to the basics which includes cleansing and moisturising. During this time it is critical for you to knock off all the extra steps, particularly exfoliation—be it chemical or physical. In other words, the simpler your skincare routine, the better.

2) Focus on hydration

Now that cleansing and moisturising are at the forefront, it only makes sense to take a second look at what you’re using. If either of your products include even the mildest exfoliating ingredients, we recommend switching them with hydrating or repairing options.

Our soothing but effective face wash, the Gloat With Oat Calming Skin Cleanser does a wonderful job at helping your skin settle down and regulating oil production. Enriched with nourishing oatmeal and hydrating coconut water, it offers a deep cleanse without stripping the skin dry.

A rich repairing moisturiser is a must for when your barrier is troubled. Take the Banana Boujee Blend Repairing Moisturiser for example—it is loaded with niacinamide to target pollution, pigmentation and UV damage, kiwi and pomegranate extracts to help rebuild the skin’s barrier and calendula flower extracts to lovingly hydrate and plump up the skin back to health.

When your barrier is impaired, remember that hydration is key!

3) Don’t skip SPF

As mentioned above, UV rays can also compromise the skin’s barrier function. So while sunscreen is an essential for every day of the year, it becomes even more imperative when your skin barrier is weakened. To avoid further damage, make sure you are using 3 finger length’s worth of a non-irritating formula that has a minimum of SPF 30.

How can I care for my skin barrier even if it isn’t damaged?

Maintaining your skin barrier when it’s healthy is just as important as nursing it back to health when it’s damaged. So here’s what you can do to keep your skin healthy and happy:

Keep your skincare routine simple, try not to use too many actives together in the same routine
Make it a habit to read labels and scan for microplastics–steer clear of ingredients like synthetic fragrance, alcohol, parabens, sulphates and phthalates
Use a gentle cleanser and refrain from washing your face more than twice a day
Exfoliate your skin, but no more than 2-3 times a week
Use a rich moisturiser on damp skin to seal in moisture
Always patch test a new product before using it, and try not to introduce too many new products at the same time
Keep your skincare routine simple, try not to use too many actives together in the same routine
Make it a habit to read labels and scan for microplastics–steer clear of ingredients like synthetic fragrance, alcohol, parabens, sulphates and phthalates
Use a gentle cleanser and refrain from washing your face more than twice a day
Exfoliate your skin, but no more than 2-3 times a week
Use a rich moisturiser on damp skin to seal in moisture
Always patch test a new product before using it, and try not to introduce too many new products at the same time
Wear SPF everyday

Your skin barrier is already predisposed to gradual breakdown over time due to age, genetics and various environmental stressors that are beyond your control. That’s why it is of utmost importance to prioritise clean, gentle and hydrating skincare that will strengthen your skin barrier and its chances at resisting damage.