Seemingly overnight, it became impossible to scroll through social media without a skin influencer talking about strengthening your skin barrier. And though, sure, skin barriers are being a little overhyped right now, it’s also for good reasons: Your skin barrier is the very thing responsible for how your skin feels and looks, and if you are not taking care of yours, you could be increasing your odds of dryness, acne, irritation, fine lines, and more.
Not ideal, right? So to help you figure out what exactly the skin barrier is and why TF it’s so important, we’re listing down everything you need to know to keep your skin bouncy, dewy, and overall healthy.
What Exactly Is The Skin Barrier And What Does It Do?
The skin barrier. Also sometimes referred to as the moisture barrier, is a term used to describe the top layer of your skin. It acts as a shield between you and the outside environment. Not only is it responsible for keeping your skin looking and feeling hydrated, but it also protects your body from outside irritants and bacteria. That’s why it’s important to keep your skin barrier well-protected and hydrated. If your skin starts to feel itchy, dry, irritated, or inflamed, then you may have yourself a case of a damaged skin barrier. Keeping water in your skin is your barrier’s number one job, and is key not only to glowing, dewy skin but also overall healthy skin.
Wanna keep your skin plump, smooth, and radiant? Keep scrolling to know the major culprits behind a damaged skin barrier.
10 Ways You Might be Damaging Your Skin Barrier
Avoid Over-Cleansing
The key to a balanced and clear complexion is paying attention to the primary skincare step i.e., cleansing. It’s all a matter of how often you cleanse, how much product you use each time, the formula you use, and the application method. When you over-cleanse your skin, you might disrupt its natural barrier and strip off the oils that keep it balanced and healthy. Skin that feels too tight is a potential sign of over-cleansing your face. Keep in mind that tight and taut is bad, and dewy and moisturised is good.
Be Mindful While Exfoliating
This is the most common way to damage your skin barrier. In case you’ve over-exfoliated, your skin can be irritated, red and can feel taut and tight. If your skin is feeling that way, you’ll want to remove the exfoliating ingredient from your routine for the time being. Treat your skin with pH balanced products that’ll repair, hydrate, and soothe the skin. Look out for ingredients like shea butter, squalene, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, all of which helps to build up the skin barrier and keep irritation at bay.
Keep Your Skin Moisturised
Using hydrating moisturisers will help in keeping your skin’s barrier healthy and hydrated. It’s important to moisturise your skin twice a day. Yes, even if you have oily skin.
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Hot Water Is Bad For Skin
Cleansing with hot water can wreak havoc on the skin’s natural barrier. We suggest trying water which is best for skin.
Steer Clear Of Harsh Products
Using harsh surfactants can cause harm to your moisture barrier. Also, products with pH levels that aren’t compatible with your skin can also contribute to damage.
Drink Your Way To Dewy Skin
Since a lack of adequate hydration is another factor, you should get enough water to keep your skin barrier healthy and hydrated. Drinking 3 to 4 litres of water every day will do the trick.
SPF = BFF!
Elements can aggressively attack our skin when it’s not protected and sealed with moisturiser and sunscreen. Skin damaged by sunburn can feel uncomfortable for days to come until the skin barrier is repaired.
Facial Waxing Might Be The Culprit
Waxing pulls hair and dead skin off and can damage your skin barrier by creating inflammation. It can cause an imbalance in the skin, which is why some people may break out in tiny pimples after a wax session. If you do wax, make sure to give your skin some TLC afterwards.
Doubling On Skincare Actives
Doubling up on the same skincare activity can cause irritation and damage to your skin’s natural barrier. Also, when mixing two different skincare actives, it’s important to make sure that the two ingredients are compatible as well as suitable for your skin type.
Be Careful While Indulging In DIYs
When one starts making skincare in the kitchen it can easily go wrong. For example, baking soda or lime juice can alter our pH and throw it out of sync causing inflammation.
So make sure you avoid these skin sins coz’ hydrated skin barrier = Healthy skin!
Featured Image: Pexels
