7 Signs You’ve Broken Your Skin Barrier (& The Best Products to Fix It Fast)

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.

What: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Balm

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.

What: 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.

What: Cosmedix Rescue Intense Hydrating Balm & Mask

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.

What: Cosmedix Humidify Deep Moisture Cream

Why Yads loves this damaged skin barrier repair cream:

"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.

What: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Mask 25g

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."

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.

Find out more about sensitised skin repairing a damaged skin barrier in these guides...

• The 10 Best Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin

• The SOS Skin Repair Routine That Won't Break The Bank

• I Tried the New $42 K-Beauty Cream That's a Godsend for Impaired Barriers

• Is Your Skin Sensitive or Sensitised? Here's How to Tell the Difference

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.