In the age of accessible skincare, ingredients that once seemed to read as something only Einstein could decipher have found their way into all of our bathroom cabinets. While it’s great that we can access such potent and active ingredients, using your face as an at home science experiment can (unsurprisingly) go wrong from time to time – leading to a compromised skin barrier.

With the search term “damaged skin barrier” at an all time high, let’s delve into how we can keep our skin in tip top shape while still using our favourite products.

WHAT IS A SKIN BARRIER?

The skin barrier, made up of skin cells, lipids and fatty acids, is the outermost layer of skin on our faces. It serves as a protective shield from free radicals and environmental aggressors. It’s essential to preserve the health of your skin barrier to maintain hydration in the skin.

HOW TO SPOT A DAMAGED SKIN BARRIER?

If you’ve been experimenting with every different acid, exfoliant and chemical peel that comes your way and have found your skin tight, itchy, and unable to retain any moisture – chances are, your skin barrier has been damaged.

HOW TO FIX A DAMAGED SKIN BARRIER?

Luckily, a compromised skin barrier usually doesn’t mean permanent damage. Firstly, you need to eliminate any irritating ingredients and take it back to the basics with skincare. Any products you use should be focused on hydration, not exfoliation until your skin has healed. Make sure you are extremely diligent with the application of SPF, as your skin will be even more sensitive to the effects of sun damage.

HOW CAN I USE ACTIVES SAFELY?

Once symptoms have subsided and your skin barrier heals, make sure any actives you re-introduce are gentle and kind to skin. Continue with daily moisturising – the Collagen Boost Brightening Day Cream has actives such as lactic acid and niacinamide that will treat skin concerns without stripping the skin of moisture. When your skin is able to tolerate a gentle exfoliant again, products such as the Pure Glow Brightening Facial are gentle enough for everyday use while containing active ingredients such as Vitamin C.

If your skin doesn’t seem to be improving, consult a professional before re-introducing actives to your routine.