You may think all of your skin is the same, but your body would disagree. Your face is exposed to plenty of toxins, environmental pollution, and sun damage each and every day. The deeper layers of your skin are protected by the uppermost layer, which is known as the skin barrier. Much like a guard stands post at a gate, vigilantly keeping intruders from entering the premises, your skin barrier is charged with the job of stopping potential problems from passing through to the more fragile layers that lie beneath the surface. This is why a weak skin barrier can be blamed for sensitive skin in many cases. A thin, weak, or damaged skin barrier is unable to protect the underneath layers from irritants. For people who are prone to sensitive skin, building up the skin barrier is often the key to reducing painful or embarrassing sensitivity.

What Causes a Weakened or Damaged Skin Barrier?

There are numerous reasons for skin damage of any sort, but as your outermost protective layer, your skin barrier has the toughest job. As the front-line of defense, the barrier is tasked with an enormity of obstacles.

External factors. The perils of the environment can impart a lot of damage. Ultra-violet light, pollution, toxic elements, and infections should all be warded off by a strong skin barrier. That said, the more exposed the skin is to such harmful effects, the more damage it incurs, and over time, this damage can cause the barrier to weaken and be unable to fulfill its duties.
Natural factors. Your genetic makeup or age could also play a role in your damaged or weakened skin barrier's state of being. Hydration is an important factor in keeping the skin barrier strong, but as we age, we essentially dry up. In fact, although we're born into bodies comprised of nearly 75% of water, people who die of old age have nearly 0% water in their bodies. Beyond this, pale skin tends to have a thinner barrier naturally, subjecting light-skinned beauties to redness, rashes, and irritation.

Healing the Skin

The first step to improving the skin barrier is to heal it by replacing depleted lipids. Look for products rich in antioxidants and lipids, but be sure to avoid chemicals that could do far more harm than good. Retinol, enzymes, AHAs, and BHAs can do bad things to the skin. Toss the bathroom items that contain alcohol and witch hazel, and trash astringents and foaming cleansers. Instead, opt for products that contain tomato seed, argan oil, rose oil, vitamin A, or panthenol for a healing and hydrating experience.

Ensure Optimal Hydration

Dehydration is often a culprit for sensitive skin and damaged skin barriers. To combat a desert-like epidermis, look for products that utilize cross-linked hyaluronic acid. This ingredient will increase hydration and improve elasticity. Other ingredients that improve the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) include Glasswort (Salicornia extract), which is known to increase water content in the skin. If you're looking for moisture content regulation, consider using products containing brown and green algae.

Clarasome is a deeply-hydrating gel moisturizer that contains a unique complex of ingredients that help the skin replenish and rejuvenate while supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Simple Basics

To keep your skin in check, keep this checklist in mind. These tips will help you repair your damaged skin barrier so you feel protected and rejuvenated each time you look in the mirror.

Simplify your skincare routine. An occasional several-step process is essential for deep-cleaning, but, as a daily practice, you don't need to overcomplicate your sink scenario. Remove frothy cleansers and harsh astringents, and replace your bathroom essentials with basic, yet high-quality, products that promote positive skin health.
Stop the scrubs. Exfoliating is an essential part of a great skincare routine, but are right and wrong ways to go about it. Avoid ultra-harsh exfoliating brushes, which can actually damage your skin. Instead, look for products and tools that gently massage your face while working out the oil and dirt from the day.
Mind your labels. Ingredients make all the difference for a healthy face. Long lists of ingredients and multiple-syllable chemicals will often offer more irritation than healing properties to skin that's already sensitive.

A damaged skin barrier can be repaired with some love, affection, and quality products. By adhering to a proper cleansing regimen, limiting your skin's exposure to harmful elements, and integrating repairing remedies into your life, you should soon begin to see the effects of a stronger skin barrier.