How to Strengthen Your Skin Barrier and the Wonders It Can Do for Your Beauty Routine

We often see the words “skin barrier” in skincare-related commercials and on the beauty products we use. You might think it’s just another beauty buzzword, but it’s actually the most crucial layer of our skin. 

If you still remember some of your lessons from biology, then the epidermis might sound familiar to you. If not, let us refresh your memory. The epidermis, a.k.a. the skin barrier, is the outermost layer of the skin. It has two main roles: keeping the good stuff (like our skincare) in and keeping the bad stuff out. 

Since it’s the outermost layer of the skin, it gets damaged by pretty much anything. From environmental factors like the sun to lifestyle factors such as not getting enough sleep or stress. The overuse of certain beauty products, such as chemical exfoliants, can also weaken the skin barrier.

You can usually tell when your skin barrier has been compromised when it’s dull, itchy, and constantly irritated. Another telltale sign that your skin barrier is damaged is when you feel stinging after applying your skincare. If these apply to you, or if you want to prevent them from happening in the first place, you need to strengthen your skin barrier. Here’s how: 

LOOK: How to Repair and Strengthen Your Skin Barrier 

1. Switch to gentle skincare products

When it comes to repairing and strengthening your skin barrier you want to steer clear of any harsh acids and exfoliants (both physical and chemical) for the time being. You can still remove dirt and oil from your skin with gentle ingredients.

 Gentle Skin Cleanser 472ml, P912, CETAPHIL, Watsons

 2. Hydrate and moisturize the skin

Never underestimate the importance of moisturizer. But since we live in a tropical country, we don’t want a heavy moisturizer that can clog the pores. Use a lightweight water-based gel moisturizer instead.