The skin barrier, sometime referred to as the moisture barrier, is our body’s built-in armor, protecting us from outside aggressors, like free radicals, toxins and infections, while also preventing moisture loss to keep our skin hydrated and healthy.
It's not invincible, however; our skin barrier can be damaged by over-exfoliation, irritating ingredients and certain environmental factors like excessive water exposure, extreme weather (like freezing temperatures or excessive wind), and overexposure to the sun.
Some signs of a damaged skin barrier include increased skin reactivity (a stinging sensation and/or dry, red, itchy and flaky skin), an increase in breakouts and even a skin infection.
To strengthen or repair your skin barrier, look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, probiotics, oat beta glucan, glycerin and more.
