7 Signs You’ve Broken Your Skin Barrier (& The Best Products to Fix It Fast)
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Low on time? Check out our key takeaways below
Key Takeaways
- Skin barrier is essential for protecting moisture and blocking harmful elements from affecting my skin.
- Signs of damage include dryness, redness, sensitivity, and uneven texture, indicating that my skin barrier may need attention.
- Immediate action requires stopping exfoliating and harsh products to allow my skin to heal properly.
- Simple routine with gentle cleansers, basic moisturisers, and sunscreen is crucial for repairing a damaged skin barrier.
- Key ingredients that help repair the skin barrier include niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, which you should look for in products.
- Patience is key as it may take one to four weeks for the skin barrier to heal, depending on the severity of the damage.
- Expert products like La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 and Medik8 Clarity Peptides are highly recommended for effective barrier repair.
Fact: You skin barrier is basically a nightclub bouncer, for your face.
Among other things, your skin barrier's main job is to keep good things like moisture in, and bad things like pollution, external elements and damaging UV rays out.
A functioning skin barrier is also the key to skin that feels good and looks healthy. Thing is, it's really bloody easy to break.
You might've heard the terms 'impaired barrier' or 'damaged skin barrier' before, but how do you fix it when you've overdone it with your active skincare products?
If you’re wondering how to repair a damaged skin barrier, listen to the Dermal Diaries episode on Bite-Sized Beauty podcast below.
Plus, keep scrolling for a quick skin barrier 101, and the best products to repair a damaged skin barrier.
What Is a Skin Barrier?
The sciency version of what your skin barrier is:
Your skin barrier is the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) and contains your stratum corneum, which is made of skin cells, lipids, oils and our bodies' natural moisturising factors like amino acids and fatty acids.
Short version of what a skin barrier is:
The skin barrier is the first line of defence between you and the outside world... and the last line of defence for keeping your body hydrated by slowing down water evaporation or transepidermal water loss.
What Is a Damaged Skin Barrier?
An impaired skin barrier is what happens when your bouncer stops checking IDs at the club and starts letting people walk out the door with bottles of booze from the bar.
It's chaos.
When your skin barrier is compromised (think of it as a mask with tears in it), your skin will feel sensitised.
When your skin is sensitised, things that shouldn't sting (like water) do, and you may experience redness, inflammation, uneven texture and dullness.
How to Know If Your Skin Barrier Is Damaged.
Generally speaking, there are seven damaged skin barrier signs to look for;
1. Dehydrated, dry and/or flaky skin.
2. Redness or rosacea flare ups.
3. Rough texture to touch.
4. Stinging, burning, itchiness or sensitivity to things that shouldn't irritate skin (like water).
5. Flare ups of inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
6. Increased oiliness and breakouts.
7. Skin that looks dull, or duller than usual.
Whether you notice one or all of these signs can depend on your skin type.
If you're a damaged oily skin, you might produce more oil. But a damaged dry skin can become rough or flaky.
How to Repair Skin Barrier.
If you’re wondering how to repair a damaged skin barrier, listen up!
According to dermal therapist, beauty journalist and Dermal Diaries podcast co-host Yads Cauchi, here's what you need to do straight away:
- Stop using all exfoliating skincare products, resurfacing serums and vitamin A products including retinol serums.
- Go back to a basic skincare routine consisting of a gentle cleanser, basic moisturiser and sunscreen.
While you wait for a few weeks for your skin to calm down, Yads suggests becoming a skincare detective to figure out what might have caused your damaged skin barrier in the first place.
"Analyse the products you're currently using and ask yourself if there might be anything in your routine to blame. Plus, ensure you're using skincare products designed for your skin type."
Best Products to Repair Damaged Skin Barrier.
The best products to heal an impaired skin barrier have a few things in common.
They usually contain calming anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide (vitamin B3), cica (full name centella asiatica), ceramides and colloidal oatmeal.
Plus, look out for humectant or water-binding ingredients like panthenol (vitamin B5), hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Here are some of Yads' favourite skin barrier repair cream and product recommendations:
1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5.
You can read Beauty IQ writer Sadaf's full cicaplast balm review here.
Why Yads loves Cicaplast for a damaged skin barrier:
"This is such a great emergency balm and one I think everyone can benefit from having on standby."
"Use it on its own or over the top of a hydrating serum, or just on areas that seem irritated and dry like the sides of your nose or chin."
"Plus, you can even apply a light layer of this balm to dry lips, dry hands or other flaky patches on your body."
2. Medik8 Clarity Peptides.
Why Yads loves Clarity Peptides for an impaired skin barrier;
"This is a favourite product of mine to use in-clinic. It sells out all the time because it's just that good."
This formula has a creamy texture, is super hydrating, and formulated with peptides, so it's also great for ageing."
3. Aspect B17 Serum.
What: Aspect Extreme B 17
Why Yads loves Aspect B17 for a broken skin barrier:
"This is such a good daily face serum. It's a little sticky, but you just have to give it a little time to sink in. This serum always helps bring my skin back to life/ calm it down whenever I sensitise it (which is all the time)."
"Vitamin B3 or niacinamide regulates oil production, soothes inflammation, lessens hyperpigmentation, smooth’s overall skin texture and can brighten your skin. It can be used AM or PM."
4. Cosmedix Rescue Intense Hydrating Balm.
Why Yads loves Cosmedix for a damaged skin barrier:
"Cosmedix Rescue Intense Hydrating Balm & Mask is a very thick, hydrating balm that works well to hydrate and heal your skin. It does feel a little sticky upon application, but your skin will eat it up."
"It's also really good for post-treatment skin and laser resurfacing (fraxel and clear and brilliant) aftercare, so you'll get lots of use out of it over time."
5. Cosmedix Humidify Deep Moisture Cream.
Why Yads loves this damaged skin barrier cream for your face:
"This is a thicker moisturising cream for anyone who needs that little extra oomph."
"It deeply hydrates the skin while helping to restore your skin’s barrier. Anyone with dry, irritated skin that likes a thick cream will love this one."
"Yes, the price tag seems a bit much, but trust me, you only need to use the tiniest amount. One tube of this will last such a long time."
6. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Sheet Mask.
You can read Beauty IQ writer Emily's full review on on this sheet mask here.
Why Yads loves this sheet mask for a broken skin barrier:
"For the price, this sheet mask amazing. It's also nice to have on hand for when you have a flare up."
"It's a soothing anti-inflammatory sheet mask you can pop on to instantly calm the skin down. Keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling, calming effect."
Shop Yads' Top Products For Repairing Your Skin Barrier:
Cosmedix Rescue Intense Hydrating Balm & Mask 30g$105.00
Aspect Extreme B 17$139.00
Cosmedix Humidify Deep Moisture Cream$155.00
Medik8 Clarity Peptides 30ml$101.00 - Currently not available
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Mask 25g$11.21 $14.95 - Currently not available
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ 40ml$19.46 $25.95
add to bag
How Do You Damage Your Skin Barrier?
Here are just a few things that can impact your skin barrier:
- External aggressors from sun damage and pollution.
- Over-exfoliation (going too hard, too fast or too often with scrubs or chemical exfoliants, or both!).
- Using a vitamin A product like a retinol serum that's too strong, not suited to your skin type and/or too often.
- Incorrect skincare choices for your skin or just using too many different products at once.
- Seasonal or environment changes.
- Illness, medical treatment and medication.
- Stress and diet.
How Long to Repair Skin Barrier?
If you’re suffering from an impaired skin barrier, only time can heal it.
How much time? Anywhere between one to four weeks. It can even take up to 45 days for the skin’s barrier to improve.
Any longer than that, seek expert advice from a dermal therapist or medical professional to suss out what's going on.
Finally, to anyone with an impaired barrier, Godspeed! You've got this.
For more tips on how to figure out if your barrier needs restoring and how to repair it, watch this YouTube video below.
What Is Barrier Repair Cream & Can It Fix My Skin Barrier?
Want more products to help with your skin barrier? Try a barrier cream!
An intensive barrier repair cream will help restore the skin to its naturally healthy condition.
A cream to strengthen the skin is usually packed full of restorative ingredients, that infuse the skin with moisture for positive effect.
The key ingredients to repair skin barrier are Avocado Oil, Omegas, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C, Panthenol and Dimethicone.
These are some of the best moisturisers for damaged skin.
Dermalogica Age Smart Super Rich Repair is a super-concentrated, heavyweight cream that works to defend chronically dry, dehydrated, and prematurely ageing skin. With a range of nourishing and restorative ingredients, this formula boosts the skin with moisture while providing a powerful anti-ageing punch. Shea Butter is a rich hydrator with a high content of naturally occurring Vitamin E. Shea effectively moisturises the skin while soothing and protecting it. Shea Butter is so rich and smooth, it provides the skin with serious protection against very dry and cold weather.
Sulphate & Cruelty-Free Formula
If you’re looking for an affordable product to restore your skin barrier,Viviology Ceramide Moisturiser is the perfect option. Designed to plump your skin full of moisture, the sulphate-free, cruelty-free formula will help you achieve and maintain a youthful glow. If you want to know what to do when your skin barrier is damaged, try a night time moisturiser. When you sleep, your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself. So, your skin will benefit from this emollient-rich night cream that works to repair the moisture barrier.
Popular with makeup artists across the globe, this nourishing lipid barrier cream also works as a brilliant primer under foundation. Designed for dry, sensitive skin, the cream creates a lipid barrier, this luxurious moisturiser boosts and repairs the skin’s natural barrier. Aloe Extract helps calm any irritation, and Shea Butter keeps you softer and smoother. If you’re looking to bring a sense of balance back to weary skin, this nourishing moisturiser is certainly a way to do it.
Want to know how to restore moisture to face? The Beauté Pacifique Crème Paradoxe Anti-Age Day Cream will supercharge your skin with moisture. Designed with 2 active ingredients that work to improve the signs of ageing and help protect the skin against daily aggressors, this rich formula loves your skin. Perfect for all skin types, this cream helps fortify the skin and reduce any redness. Procyanidin is an intensive antioxidant that helps defend the skin from air pollutants and leaves your face looking firmer and more toned. Hands down, this is the best lotion for damaged skin.
From the Best-Selling, Liquid Gold Range
Who doesn’t love a bit of liquid gold? Alpha-H Liquid Gold 24 Hour Moisture Repair Cream is a deeply nourishing, strengthening formula that works to supercharge your skin with goodness. Laden with luxurious ingredients, this skin-loving formula helps revitalise the skin and leaves it feeling refreshed. Featuring a winning combination of high-performing actives, this powerful night cream will help soothe sensitive ageing and mature skin. A cocktail of Argan Stem Cells, Vitamin C, and the signature Alpha-H Glycolic Acid leaves the skin plumped, restored, and repaired after every use.
KORA Organics Turmeric Glow Moisturizer works to restore the skin and reintroduces a healthy, natural glow that you’ll love to look at. If your skin is showing signs of ageing or feeling ravaged by a harsh environment, the rich, nutritious approach will leave your complexion plump and hydrated. Containing a unique liposome that’s been built to specifically target skin tone and texture, this moisturiser works to brighten the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation.
Rich, Replenishing Cream
Thalgo Cold Cream Marine Nutri-Soothing Rich Cream works to effectively soothe, repair, and replenish very dry skin that’s struggling. This nourishing formula is enriched with Cold Cream Marine, which works to comfort the skin for up to 24 hours. The creamy balm replenishes lipids while soothing the skin, and helps repair it as the day goes on. If your skin has been looking and feeling angry, this super-nourishing cream will cocoon your skin in its silky texture and help protect it from any external aggressors. Use this cream in the morning and evening, and smooth it over the face and neck.
Find out more about sensitised skin repairing a damaged skin barrier in these guides...
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
