And what can you do about it? We put all our questions to the derms to find out…. Justine Hextall, Consultant Dermatologist for La Roche-Posay. Acting like border control by keeping the good stuff like moisture and oil in and blocking the bad stuff such as skin aggressors out, it is fundamental in the skin's microbiome and innate moisture system.

Skincare routine steps, order and products. By Denise Primbet. Eczema , psoriasis and breakouts are also signals that your skin barrier is vulnerable and not performing at it's peak. First things first, adopt a simple skincare routine. By Charley Ross.

By Savannah Walsh. By Lucy Morgan. Avoiding harsh or irritating ingredients will also speed up repair. By Elle Turner and Fiona Embleton.

The time it takes for your skin barrier to heal will differ depending on your skin type and damage. Dr Hextall recommends Vitamin B5 panthenol. Meanwhile, Dr Esdaile agrees that hydrating ingredients are ideal to support and boost the skin barrier.

avoiding harsh cleansers and irritants. Niacinamide is also flagged up by the pros. This results in redness, irritation, dryness and sensitivity," says Marie. If you nodded your way through the previous five points, then here are the essentials of a skin-barrier-protecting routine to rectify your skincare mistakes:.

There are now a ton of skincare formulas designed for skin barrier damage. Meanwhile, you'll find myriad skincare formulations for barrier repair, from The Nue Co's Barrier Culture Cleanser to Rhode's much-hyped Barrier Restore Cream.

A broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 should be added as the final step during the day. Whether you're searching for ways to repair the damage already done or support your skin barrier function, the answer lies in simplicity and consistency.

By Annabelle Spranklen. Using drying retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids AHAs , and beta-hydroxy acids BHAs , rough exfoliants to name a few can easily overwhelm the skin and strip your skin of its natural oils.

This leads to easily scratching and damaging the skin barrier. If you live in an area with poor air quality, you may be more susceptible to a broken skin barrier. Airborne pollutants can dry out and damage your skin, slowly chipping away at your natural skin barrier.

Extreme hot or cold temperatures and dry air can also damage your skin barrier, leading to dull-looking skin. Unfortunately, some environmental factors are beyond your control, which is why skin barrier repair and maintenance are crucial for keeping your skin hydrated, smooth, bright and and glowing.

UV radiation from the sun's rays is known to damage skin at every level, including the skin barrier. Getting enough sleep is essential for every system in your body, including your skin. That's because your body works to heal itself while in deep sleep. Have you ever noticed that your skin looks duller or drier after a bad night's sleep?

That's generally because you've had trouble staying asleep or don't get enough quality rest which can take a toll and lead to a damaged skin barrier. Also, using skincare products that do not dry up the skin or clog pores will enhance your skin cell turnover, especially while you sleep, which often guarantees the 'I woke-up-like-this' skin.

As you get older, it's normal for your skin to become thinner and drier. Age-related changes can lead to a weakened skin barrier, especially, when the skin is not hydrated and strengthened, which makes it more susceptible to damage.

That's why it's important to be vigilant about nourishing your skin throughout all of life's stages. Even a simple skincare routine that boosts hydration and skin cell turnover can be skin-changing, especially for anti-aging. Certain skin conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis can weaken your skin's barrier.

If you have a diagnosed skin condition, speak to your dermatologist about how to properly care for your skin barrier while managing specific skin conditions. Before delving into how to restore skin barriers, it's important to learn how to identify damage in the first place.

Keep an eye out for the following signs and follow some simple tips that will help you restore your skin barrier for brighter, smoother, healthier skin, no matter your age, skin type, or skin tone.

A telltale sign of a damaged skin barrier is dry, flaky or scaly skin. A broken skin barrier loses its ability to retain moisture, causing the skin to dry out and flake. Many people try to get rid of flaky skin by turning to exfoliation or skincare that does not contain enough moisture repair, and this can actually damage your skin barrier even more.

Without a strong, protective skin layer, your skin is vulnerable to redness, irritation, and inflammation. While some inflammation is normal after an injury or infection, the chronic inflammation associated with a damaged skin barrier may lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms, such as swelling, pain, and other lasting discomfort.

In addition, a damaged skin barrier becomes prone to scarring, scabbing, and slow skin renewal. Itchiness is another common symptom of a damaged skin barrier.

Like flaky skin, itchiness is caused by a lack of moisture. Beware — while scratching itchy skin may provide temporary relief, it will most likely only exacerbate the problem even further and result in scarring, and uneven skin. Scratching can further damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of infection, inflammation and overall uneven skin.

Use a moisturizer that not only protects the skin barrier, but is able to penetrate the skin, and provide pain and itch relief. If you struggle with frequent acne breakouts, a weakened or damaged skin barrier could be to blame.

Breakouts can be the beginning of a vicious cycle, with one bout of acne leading to another, and then another. Restoring your skin barrier using only a hydrating exfoliant versus a drying exfoliant will clean your pores and remove dead skin cells, revealing more luminous, smooth skin.

This is just one simple step in reducing breakouts and strengthening skin barrier. As skin becomes red, itchy, and irritated due to a damaged skin barrier, it can also become extremely sensitive.

As the outer layer of the skin suffers damage, it becomes more susceptible to common irritants and allergens. If your skin feels tight or you experience burning sensations when applying your skincare products, you may have a damaged skin barrier.

Knowing how to repair the skin barrier starts with researching what steps to take to nourish and repair your skin. The best way to repair a damaged skin barrier is with a multi-pronged approach, and while you may have to engage in some trial-and-error before you find what works for you,.

Below are a few easy everyday changes you can make to your daily routine to restore a healthy skin barrier. When learning how to repair the skin barrier, the first step is to switch to a gentle facial cleanser.

If your skin burns or feels tight after cleansing, this is a direct sign that your cleanser or exfoliator is too harsh and too drying. Many people believe that their skin gets cleaner when they use hot water, but this is a myth, even if it feels therapeutic in the moment.

Hot water is, in fact, very harmful to your skin because it strips it of its natural oils, damaging the skin barrier and causing your skin to become dry, irritated, and even break and itch.