Let’s talk about your skin barrier — what is it, why it’s important and how to fix it

If you’ve spent any time scrolling on social media over the past couple of months or been reading up about the latest in skincare, you would have most likely come across the trending term, ‘skin barrier’.

And it makes sense. “Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin,” explains skincare specialist Rosa Scialo, founder of BodySense Beauty Treatments. “The vital layer serves as your body’s first line of defence against harmful external stresses while preventing moisture loss from the skin. When your barrier is damaged, it leaves your skin more vulnerable to unwanted skin conditions such as infections, sensitivity and dryness.”

Which is why when we talk about hydrated, radiant and glowy skin, it all starts with the health of your skin barrier. “Strengthening your skin barrier is the not-so-secret secret to achieving healthier, brighter, plumper and more rejuvenated-looking skin,” Rosa says. 

Defining the skin barrier 

“When I talk to clients about the skin barrier, I describe it as being like the foundations of a house,” Rosa says. “That’s because a home’s foundation supports the entire structure, ensuring stability and preventing structural problems.”

“And when you think about it, your skin barrier is no different,” Rosa adds. “If you have strong foundations — i.e a healthy skin barrier — you’re going to have good, healthy, strong skin that will act as a protective shield for your body, preventing water loss and blocking harmful substances from entering.”

The stronger your skin barrier, the less reactive your skin will be in terms of sensitivity, irritation, dryness and dehydration. A strong skin barrier will also be more responsive in relation to the active ingredients in products and treatments. 

What affects your skin barrier? 

There are many things that can affect your skin barrier. And as Rosa flags, it’s not just external aggressions, like exposure to extreme weather conditions, UV rays and allergens that have a part to play.

For example: 

• Stress can weaken the skin’s barrier and make it more susceptible to damage and inflammation.

• Hormonal imbalances — be it due to ageing, being perimenopausal or going through menopause — can cause the skin barrier to weaken and vital moisture to be lost.

• Self prescribing too harsh skincare products for your skin can damage your skin barrier and lead to dryness, irritation, redness and increased sensitivity.

• Lifestyle choices, like a lack of sleep, poor diet, sun exposure, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact your skin barrier, weakening its ability to protect your skin.

• While external aggressions, like harsh weather conditions and pollution can disrupt the skin barrier leading to dryness, irritation and increased sensitivity.

So how do you know if your skin barrier is impaired?

It’s a valid question. “Well, due to the wide range of contributing factors that can affect your skin, it’s more than likely that most people would have had an impaired or compromised barrier,” Rosa says. 

For starters, you could have an impaired skin barrier if you are suffering from one or more of the following: 

• Dry, scaly and flaky skin

• Itchiness

• Acne 

• Redness and inflammation

• Your skin has a rough texture 

• Lack of elasticity and plumpness

• Unusual breakouts 

• Skin that looks dull, tired and devitalised

Can you repair your skin barrier?

Now for the good news. “Yes, over time and once you’ve identified and removed the factors that are impairing your barrier, your skin will tend to heal itself,” Rosa explains. 

But how long it takes will all depend on how damaged your barrier is. Therefore it’s well worth speaking to a professional to help you come up with a personalised solution, because every person’s skin is unique and no one size fits all. 

For example: 

1. Specialised treatments can help to repair your skin barrier. Maybe you have mature skin? And/or you haven’t exfoliated in a while which has left your skin feeling rough and lackluster? “If that’s the case then a chemical peel treatment can help gently remove the top layer of skin so that the active ingredient can penetrate your skin,” Rosa says. “In turn, this will help restore your skin barrier.”

2. Protecting your skin with SPF could also restore your skin barrier by preventing further exposure to UV radiation. We’ve talked before about the power of a good SPF and the importance of wearing sun protection every day. That’s because exposure to the sun causes premature ageing and according to the NHS, sunburn can also increase your risk of skin cancer.

3. The same goes for focusing on a healthy and balanced lifestyle. “This includes getting enough sleep, exercise and fueling your body with a balanced diet, packed with vitamins and nutrients, ” Rosa says. 

4. Using the correct products for your skin can help, too. 

Products that can protect your skin barrier

Before running to the beauty aisles and self-prescribing, there are a couple of tried and tested products Rosa swears by — both of which contain the patented active ingredient, Reoxderm. 

“Without getting too technical, Reoxderm mimics our body’s redox system which plays a vital role in maintaining skin health and preventing premature aging,” Rosa says. “The clever active ingredient has antioxidant properties that help to strengthen and activate the skin barrier function. This is crucial in correcting skin fragility, sensitivity and dryness, and restoring overall skin health.”

• ALLSKIN|MED’s Barrier Recovery Cream - This deeply hydrating cream has antioxidant rich properties and works to repair, soothe and protect the skin by encouraging cellular renewal. “Best used at night, this cream promotes healing and it can also calm irritation,” Rosa adds. “So it will work just as well for someone who is struggling to heal acne spots, as it would for someone who has a skin treatment, like microneedling.”

• ALLSKIN|MED’s Barrier Defence Emulsion - Very light in texture, this antioxidant, anti-ageing emulsion hydrates and preserves the skin barrier for today, tomorrow and beyond. “Suitable for daily use, this all-in-one skin barrier defence solution compliments any routine and will leave you with smoother skin, that’s improved in texture, hydrated and more radiant,” Rosa adds. 

With nearly 40 years experience in the beauty industry, Rosa has seen it all. From dry, scaly skin to redness & inflammation and acne and breakouts, too. If you have an impaired skin barrier, let Rosa be the safe pair of hands to help restore it. Book in for a treatment here and/or get in touch on 07719 568651 to learn what products are a best fit for you.