6 Clues your skin’s barrier is in trouble

*From the archives. Originally published February 8, 2022

Some common signs that your skin’s barrier is damaged:

• Dry, scaly skin

• Itchiness

• Rough or discolored patches

• Increased breakouts or rashes

• Sensitive or inflamed areas

• Bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections.

These things can happen anywhere you have skin, but tends to be very common on the face due to the fact that more products tend to get used on the face. The first thing to do is figure out what is causing the problem. You may want to go on a temporary product detox for a week or two and see if you notice changes when you quit products or introduce them back in to your routine. In my experience, barrier problems are usually from irritating products that dry or strip the skin of it’s oil, or from over-exfoliating and too much scrubbing. The barrier weakens with age and the more pale your skin is the thinner the barrier, which means you’re more prone to irritation. The good news is since your cells are constantly renewing themselves, you can improve the issue and prevent future damage.

My favorite tips for restoring a healthy skin barrier function:

Hydration is key.

Even if you are oily, it’s very important to keep your hydration levels up. This means, you guessed it, drinking lots of water! Products with ceramides and hyaluronic acid can help the skin cells hold onto water as well.

Nutrition is Important.

Your skin is producing new cells right now while you are reading this. The nutrients you are getting from food make a difference in the quality of the cells you are producing. A diet with plenty of veggies and healthy fats will make those cells really healthy and help with all the functions within your skin as well.

Topical Anti-Oxidants.

Skincare products (like Vitamin A & Vitamin C) can help as well. These can help fight free radical damage in the skin and make the skin function better.

Stop over-exfoliating.

Exfoliants are one of the most abused skincare products. I’m not a fan of using exfoliants daily. Consult your aesthetician on what exfoliant is best for you and how often you should be using it based on your own unique skin condition.

Don’t know where to start? Hit me up for a consultation!