Amid the constant emergence of new beauty trends, such as glass skin and glazed donut skin, we often neglect a fundamental aspect of maintaining healthy skin: safeguarding the skin barrier. Unlike the flawless, uniform complexions often portrayed on social media, no skin is completely free of texture. Rather than pursuing fleeting trends, it is crucial to focus on what truly matters.

The skin barrier serves as the outermost layer of your skin and plays a vital role in protection. It prevents harmful elements like pollutants and bacteria from entering while retaining beneficial substances such as moisturizers and serums. When this barrier is compromised, skin issues can arise, leading to increased sensitivity, tightness due to moisture loss, and irritation. Maintaining hydration becomes particularly challenging when the barrier is damaged.

To gain insights into identifying a compromised skin barrier and understanding the underlying causes. This comprehensive guide provides the information you need.

How to know if your skin barrier is damaged?

Dr Vidushi Jain, dermatologist and medical head at Dermalinks in Noida-Ghaziabad, shared these signs to look out for to understand if your skin barrier is compromised or not:

1. Sensitivity and irritation: If your skin begins to react to products put on it, to heat or cold, or even to water itself, then your barrier has been compromised.

2. Dryness and flakiness: Over-evaporation of water out of a compromised barrier makes the skin tight, flaky, and dry.

3. Redness and inflammation: Redness, rash, or inflammation persistence may show a broken skin barrier.

4. Breakouts and acne: Once the barrier is broken, irritants and bacteria enter the skin and cause breakouts and clogged pores.

5. Itching and stinging sensation: If your skin stings, itches, or tingles after using skincare, it means your barrier is broken.

6. Over-production of oil: The dry skin tries to compensate by over-production of oil, and the skin ends up being oily and pores clogged.

Why does it happen?

The skin barrier, a crucial protective layer of the skin, safeguards against environmental stressors while retaining moisture. However, when this barrier is compromised, the skin becomes susceptible to damage. Dr. Vidushi Jain elaborated on the various factors that contribute to this damage.

1.Over-exfoliation: Over-exfoliation and over-use of harsh scrubs can strip away natural oils and, therefore compromise the protective aspect of the skin.

3. Harsh cosmetics: Fragrant products, active high-concentration ingredients (retinol, harsh acids), and alcohol toners upset the pH balance of the skin and kill the barrier.

4. Environmental factors: Exposure to pollution, sun, and heat on a daily basis may compromise the barrier of the protective skin layer in the long term.

5. Hot showers and over-showering: Hot showers or excessive washing could strip away the protective barrier of lipids.

6. Dehydration and poor diet: Dehydration and poor diet in terms of essential vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants may compromise the barrier of the skin.

7. Stress and lack of sleep: Stress and lack of sleep cause inflammation, and this leaves the skin in a state where it cannot heal.

How to treat damaged skin barrier?

Worry not, as skin barrier can be treated with adequate skincare steps. Dr Rakesh Jangra, medical director of Rakshaa Aesthetics, dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon, shared effective tips on how you can treat your damaged skin barrier:

1. While exfoliation is essential, do it gently and in moderation, using chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs 2-3 times a week rather than daily scrubs.

2. Avoid foaming cleansers that contain sulphates and instead use a mild, hydrating cleanser.

3. Use fatty acids and ceramides to restore the outermost layer of your skin.

4. Use a nourishing, fragrance-free moisturizer on a regular basis.

5. Steer clear of physical scrubs and stick to gentle exfoliants.

6. Apply sunscreen every day because UV rays erode the skin's protective layer.

7. Steer clear of harsh substances like excessively drying treatments or toners with alcohol bases.

8. Avoid overuse of active ingredients like retinoids or strong acids without proper barrier support.

Dr Jangra further shared damaged skin barrier can also indicate underlying skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

Read Also: Heatwave Skincare: Prevent Acne and Keep Your Skin Fresh

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