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In this blog, we explore the signs of a damaged skin barrier and best practices for restoring its natural function.
How the skin barrier works
The skin is not only your body’s largest organ but also one of its most essential protectors. It keeps essential moisture in while safeguarding underlying tissues from external toxins.
The epidermis is the thin outermost layer of skin that is visible to the eye. Its uppermost layer, the stratum corneum, serves as your major skin barrier and consists of two components: corneocytes and the extracellular lipid matrix. These components work to regulate skin permeability, maintain hydration and shield cells from ultraviolet (UV) damage.
What is skin barrier damage?
A damaged skin barrier loses much of its protective strength, making it harder to retain moisture, reduce inflammation and defend against free radicals. Without this moisture-locking function, water within the skin evaporates into the atmosphere, disrupting hydration essential for cell turnover and natural exfoliation.
When old cells aren’t shed effectively, they accumulate on the surface, causing the outer layer to thicken. This buildup can also clog pores and make the skin appear bumpy and flaky.
Damage to the skin barrier is often intensified by daily challenges from both environmental and internal factors, including:
- High levels of psychological stress
- Extreme humidity or dryness in the environment
- Exposure to allergens, irritants and pollutants
- Excessive sun exposure
- Genetic predispositions to conditions like eczema and psoriasis
Symptoms of a damaged skin barrier
When the skin barrier isn’t working as it should, you may experience the following skin issues:
- Dryness — With a damaged skin barrier, moisture escapes more easily, leading to dehydration and noticeable flakiness.
- Itchiness — Skin feels persistently itchy or irritated due to increased exposure to environmental irritants.
- Rough patches — Uneven texture and discoloured patches may develop as the barrier struggles to regulate moisture and cell turnover.
- Breakouts — A compromised barrier can congest the pores, creating blockages that cause blemishes and flare-ups.
- Increased sensitivity — You may notice heightened sensitivity to products or external factors, resulting in redness, stinging or inflammation.
How to repair your skin barrier
Fortunately, you can gradually restore a strong, healthy barrier with the right practices:
Simplify your skincare regimen
The first step is to identify and remove any potential triggers that could be causing irritation. Simplify your routine by focusing on just the essentials: a gentle cleanser, a nourishing moisturiser and sunscreen.
Steer clear of harsh soaps or scrubs with physical exfoliants such as beads or granules, as these can strip essential oils and further irritate the skin. Once your skin is healthier, you can slowly introduce other targeted products and active ingredients as needed based on your skin type.
Moisturise regularly
Maintaining adequate water levels in the stratum corneum is vital in preserving skin integrity and promoting cell turnover. Moisturisers help increase the skin's water content, restoring its protective barrier function and overall resilience.
Apply sunscreen daily
UV exposure weakens the skin barrier by breaking down vital proteins and lipids. For optimal protection, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50 sunscreen every morning, even on cloudy days.
The best ingredients for repairing skin barrier
Knowing how to restore skin barrier health starts with choosing the right ingredients. Here are key components for a fortified skin barrier:
Hyaluronic acid
Opt for a moisturiser and sunscreen with hyaluronic acid, which can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water, drawing moisture into the skin’s upper layers. This hydration boost helps strengthen the skin barrier, leaving your complexion smooth, plump and radiant.
Ceramides
The extracellular space in the epidermis is rich in lipids, especially ceramides. When ceramide levels drop, the skin barrier weakens, leading to tiny cracks that allow moisture loss. Using moisturisers rich in ceramides helps form a protective layer on your damaged skin barrier that locks in moisture while softening and firming up the skin.
Glycerin
Choose a cleanser with glycerin, a natural humectant that traps water into the skin barrier, leaving it deeply hydrated and strengthening its natural protective function.
Fortify and repair skin barrier health with Medik8
Clear, glowing skin begins with a strong barrier. With the right targeted formulas and consistent care, you’ll see visible improvements in texture and clarity over time. At Medik8, we offer vegan, science-backed skincare products that aid in reinforcing this essential defence. Try our Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream with the products mentioned above — it’s designed to boost barrier function by 30%, helping you hydrate, plump and revitalise your skin.
Shop our next-generation formulas now and enjoy free nationwide shipping on orders over $150.
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