How to look after your skin’s barrier

How to look after your skin’s barrier

Did you know, your skin’s barrier is a big deal. Not only does your skin’s barrier protect you from harmful substances, cosmetically, but the very outer layers of skin are also those that we can see. If the skin barrier is damaged or weakened, your skin might look dull or feel dry or rough, but it also can be irritated more easily. This is because a damaged skin barrier is unable to hold onto the vital substances it needs to be able to repair itself, which means it’ll let irritants in and be harder to prevent signs of ageing and get rid of post-breakout marks. By contrast, when these layers of skin are healthy, your skin will look plump and glowy and feel soft to touch.

Your environment, pollution and sun exposure, as well as what you put on your skin can all affect your skin barrier. So, what can you do to help look after it? Prevention is better than cure, so here are four top tips to follow to build up your skin’s natural barrier:

Use lukewarm water

Make sure you’re washing your face with water that is lukewarm. Really hot or really cold water can irritate the skin, so make sure you’re checking the temperature is right before applying it to your face.

Choose your cleanser wisely

Use a cleanser best suited to you that wont aggravate your skin when washing your face. Avoid scrubbing cleansers that are harsh to the skin as well as basic bars of soap can strip away your skin’s natural moisture and damage the skin barrier. If you are using an exfoliator, avoid anything too abrasive as harsh scrubs can cause small tears on the skin’s surface. Instead, opt for more gentle exfoliators, or a product you can leave on the skin.

Opt for fragrance free products with fewer additives.

Go back to basics and opt for skincare products that are fragrance-free. Perfumes and fragrances, including those from essential oils, can irritate sensitive skin and prevent it from being able to restore itself.

Build actives into your regime carefully

Tread carefully when using products that contain certain ingredients. Look out for AHA’s and BHA’s, which are natural exfoliators, as well as products containing retinol or anti-acne treatments. Often, it’s tempting to apply as much as possible as often as possible to get the results you’re after, but this can actually irritate the skin. Start slowly and gradually build up to find the concentration that is best for your skin. If you do have products with different active ingredients in your routine, use them at different times during the day. So, for example, use an anti-acne exfoliator in the morning and a retinol cream in the evening before bed. This will allow you to still get the benefits of the products, without overloading the skin.

For a more personalised skin care routine, take your skin quiz and connect with a Skin expert who will customise a programme specific to your skin goals.