Better Your Barrier In Time For Summer With These 3 Tips

Why is Your Skin Barrier Important?

For all our resident beauty buffs, we all know how important it is to keep our skin barrier fighting fit. Physically, our skin barrier protects our skin, the biggest organ in our body, from any external threats - whether that be chemicals, toxins, or environmental factors. Internally, our skin also prevents a loss of water from our bodies. So, all in all, it’s fair to say that our skin barrier is extremely important!

What Causes a Broken Skin Barrier?

Whilst our skin is strong, it does take the brunt of everything. We are constantly putting pressure on our skin - we put on makeup, we exfoliate, and even the weather is sometimes not our friend. Your skin barrier can be broken very easily, but it’s equally easy to spot:

• Dehydration:

The first red flag is if your skin will not retain water. Water loss and dehydration are very common signs that your skin is not having the best time. If you notice that your complexion has become dry or irritated, then it might be time to switch up your beauty regime and pay closer attention to your barrier. 

• Over-cleansing:

Most damage to your skin barrier actually comes from stripping your natural oils. This again can be done easily. Harsh cleansers, certain acid-based products, and makeup removers can all lead to those all-important oils being removed. 

• Over-exfoliating:

Another way that the skin barrier can become impaired is if you exfoliate too often. Whilst your skin is tough, the continuous damage can weaken it. Physically scrubbing your skin, or waxing can also harm the barrier, and make it react poorly. To avoid this, try to stay away from homemade scrubs. Research what your skin type is, and what it requires to stay happy. 

• Stress:

Finally, stress can play a massive part. We all know that stress is not good for our health, but it’s sometimes unavoidable. However, it’s good to know that even if you are doing everything you can for your skin - you’re double cleansing, toning, moisturising, and you are even using your SPF every day, yet, your skin is still having a bad time - it could just be down to stress.

3 Ways To Better Your Skin Barrier

1. Focus On Healing and Hydrating 

There are so many good products on the market and so much good advice. But when it comes to bettering your skin barrier, it's better to have a stripped-back skincare routine. Firstly, our Skincare Experts would recommend putting down the exfoliants, retinol, and vitamin C. These are all active ingredients, and whilst they are a great way to rejuvenate the skin, it’s also important that you give yourself time to heal. 

With that in mind, a massive part of healing your skincare barrier is to moisturise often. You want to be focusing on hydrating, nourishing, and using skin-replenishing ingredients, which are not active. For example, products with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides are all a must! The MZ Skin Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum has been carefully blended to be lightweight and suitable for all skin types. This luxurious formula smooths, plumps, and softens for a naturally dewy finish. The extracts used work deep beyond the epidermis, soothing and replenishing skin’s vitality - which is perfect if you are looking to heal your barrier. 

Or, the Hydration Kit from Obagi Medical is another great solution. The Obagi Hydration Kit includes two of Obagi’s best-selling creams to keep your skin feeling hydrated and soft throughout the day. This non-irritating, non-sensitising and allergy-tested formula will leave your skin feeling and looking supple for up to eight hours. If your barrier is compromised and appears dry and listless, our Skincare Experts couldn’t recommend this duo of products more.

2. Get Better Acquainted With Your Skin Type

After you’ve completed the healing stage, and you are looking to better your skin and continue supporting your barrier, it’s important to get reacquainted with your skin’s needs. Knowing your skin type, and which products will work well for it is vital for ensuring your barrier remains intact.

If you are struggling to get to grips with what your skin is after, we can help! Our 12-step Skin Quiz utilises an advanced algorithm skin tool that analyses your skin and its needs, matching you with products to suit your skin profile. All the guessing work is over! Once you’ve input your information, our Skin Quiz works to produce results for you in real-time. The skincare routine that comes out will be completely unique to you, your complexion, and the needs that you have described. Goodbye broken barrier, hello healthy glowing skin!

If you need more advice, our skin care experts are available for complimentary 1-to-1 virtual consultations. You can book your appointment here and start your journey to skin health!

3. Slow and Steady!

There is beauty in a simple skincare routine - and when introducing new products, you will want to go at a slow and steady pace. Once you get your skin barrier in a good place, the name of the game should be to continue protecting it. 

One of the main ways our barriers can be broken, as mentioned above, can be overdoing that. Whether that be through exfoliation, or using too many products which aren’t right for us. If you are adding new products to your skin, introduce them slowly, one at a time. This will not only give your skin a chance to decide whether it agrees with the new product, but it also gives you a clear-cut culprit if your barrier begins to be compromised again.