Is your skin barrier damaged? Experts share how to know and what you can do to treat it: Apply sunscreen every day

Skincare's first priority should be protecting the skin barrier. Here's everything you should know.

With so much of the spotlight on new fads every other week, from glass skin to glazed donut skin, we overlook the basic essential for healthy skin: protecting the skin barrier. No skin is entirely devoid of texture, unlike the blurred, even-toned skin on social media. Instead of chasing shallow trends, it's time we factor in what really matters.

Skin barrier signs include redness, irritation and tightness.(Shutterstock)

The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin. It's essential as it's a protective layer, keeping bad stuff like pollutants, bacteria, and water loss out while good stuff like moisturiser or serum in. When it gets damaged, your skin starts acting up, making your skin sensitive, tight (from water loss) and irritated. Keeping your skin hydrated is one of the challenges that emerges from a compromised barrier.

HT Lifestyle reached out to dermatologists to understand how to tell if your skin barrier is compromised and why it happens in the first place. This curated guide has you covered.

How to know if your skin barrier is damaged?

With uneven skin, you breakout more with damaged skin barrier. (Shutterstock)

Dr Vidushi Jain, dermatologist and medical head at Dermalinks in Noida-Ghaziabad, shared these signs to look out for to understand if your skin barrier is compromised or not:

1. Sensitivity and irritation: If your skin begins to react to products put on it, to heat or cold, or even to water itself, then your barrier has been compromised.

2. Dryness and flakiness: Over-evaporation of water out of a compromised barrier makes the skin tight, flaky, and dry.

3. Redness and inflammation: Redness, rash, or inflammation persistence may show a broken skin barrier.

4. Breakouts and acne: Once the barrier is broken, irritants and bacteria enter the skin and cause breakouts and clogged pores.

5. Itching and stinging sensation: If your skin stings, itches, or tingles after using skincare, it means your barrier is broken.

6. Over-production of oil: The dry skin tries to compensate by over-production of oil, and the skin ends up being oily and pores clogged.

Why does it happen?

Stress affects your skin.(Shutterstock)

The essential shield of the skin, the skin barrier, protects you from environmental stressors while keeping moisturise locked in. But your skin becomes vulnerable when the skin barrier is compromised and gets damaged. Why does it get damaged? Dr Vidushi Jain explained the various reasons behind it.

1.Over-exfoliation: Over-exfoliation and over-use of harsh scrubs can strip away natural oils and, therefore compromise the protective aspect of the skin.

3. Harsh cosmetics: Fragrant products, active high-concentration ingredients (retinol, harsh acids), and alcohol toners upset the pH balance of the skin and kill the barrier.

4. Environmental factors: Exposure to pollution, sun, and heat on a daily basis may compromise the barrier of the protective skin layer in the long term.

5. Hot showers and over-showering: Hot showers or excessive washing could strip away the protective barrier of lipids.

6. Dehydration and poor diet: Dehydration and poor diet in terms of essential vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants may compromise the barrier of the skin.

7. Stress and lack of sleep: Stress and lack of sleep cause inflammation, and this leaves the skin in a state where it cannot heal.

How to treat damaged skin barrier?

Avoid overusing actives in your skincare. (Shutterstock)

Worry not, as skin barrier can be treated with adequate skincare steps. Dr Rakesh Jangra, medical director of Rakshaa Aesthetics, dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon, shared effective tips on how you can treat your damaged skin barrier:

1. While exfoliation is essential, do it gently and in moderation, using chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs 2-3 times a week rather than daily scrubs.

2. Avoid foaming cleansers that contain sulphates and instead use a mild, hydrating cleanser.

3. Use fatty acids and ceramides to restore the outermost layer of your skin.

4. Use a nourishing, fragrance-free moisturizer on a regular basis.

5. Steer clear of physical scrubs and stick to gentle exfoliants.

6. Apply sunscreen every day because UV rays erode the skin's protective layer.

7. Steer clear of harsh substances like excessively drying treatments or toners with alcohol bases.

8. Avoid overuse of active ingredients like retinoids or strong acids without proper barrier support.

Dr Jangra further shared damaged skin barrier can also indicate underlying skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.