All About: Skin Barrier Health

Our skin barrier helps to keep the outer layers of the skin together, creating a watertight seal from the external environment.

• A healthy skin barrier: skin feels soft and supple.
• A damaged skin barrier: skin may feel dry, rough and easily irritated.

Find out more about the layers of the skin and functions here

Understanding how it the skin barrier works and how to support it, is key to maintaining calm, balanced skin.

In this guide we will cover what the skin barrier is, what can damage it and how to repair and protect it.

 

What is the skin barrier?

Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin (the stratum corneum), find out more about the layers of the skin and functions here.

Think of it like a brick wall:

• The skin cells are the bricks
• The lipids (ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids) are the mortar that hold everything together.

This structure plays an essential role in:

• Preventing water loss
• Protecting against environmental stressors and pollutants
• Stopping and keeping out irritants, bacteria and allergens
• Maintaining skin hydration and resilience

What happens when the skin barrier is damaged?

When damaged it causes water loss from the skin and leaves the skin more vulnerable to the external environment, this can cause:

• Increased sensitivity
• Irritation and itchiness
• Very dry or dehydrated skin
• Inflammation and redness
• Tightness after cleansing
• Stinging when applying skincare
• Rough and flaky skin

If your skincare products that you always use start to sting, it may be a sign that your skin barrier maybe compromised.

What can damage the skin barrier?

• Over-exfoliating: can strip away the protective lipids found in the upper layers of the skin
• Harsh cleansers: that strip the skin of its natural oils can compromise the skin over time
• Overusing actives: used too much or too quickly can weaken the skin barrier
• Hot water: can deplete natural moisture levels
• Environmental stressors: whether that cold weather, pollution, UV exposure or low humidity

 

Tips on ways to help prevent your skin barrier being damaged

If your skin barrier is compromised, the aim is to restore hydration, rebuild lipids and reduce irritation

• Use gentle skincare ingredients, avoid anything harsh or stripping to the skin as these can further irritate the skin barrier
• Don’t overuse skincare products especially scrubs and exfoliants
• Strip back your routine to simple steps (think cleanse, moisturise and SPF in the morning)
• Ask the skincare brand for help if you are unsure on a product to make sure it is right for your skin
• Look for nourishing, hydrating and soothing products
• Avoid essential oils and fragrances, instead opt for fragrance free skincare
• Protect you skin from UV rays with an SPF
• Look for skincare that contains ingredients that mimic the skin’s natural structure: ceramides, fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and glycerin.

How long does it take to repair the skin barrier?

With consistent and gentle care, mild damage can take around 2-4 weeks, whereas more extreme cases may take longer. Patience it key when it comes to rebuilding your skin barrier.

 

How to maintain a healthy skin barrier long-term

• Once your skin feels better again, prevention becomes key.
• Avoid over exfoliating
• Introduce actives gradually
• Support skin with nourishing ingredients
• Protect daily with SPF
• Adjust your routine seasonally

 

The Lucy Bee Skincare Range

When creating the products, some of the key areas that we focussed on was for most of them to be:

• Dermatologically approved for sensitive skin, or to be kind to sensitive skin
• Unscented
• Formulated to hydrate, nourish and improve skin health
• Ingredients to help naturally improve the skin tone and texture
• Support the skin barrier

Your skin barrier is your skin’s first line of defence. When it is strong your complexion will look hydrated, smooth and radiant, however if it is compromised, your skincare products won’t work as they should.

 

Shop the Lucy Bee Barrier Supporting Range here