The skin barrier is one of the most important physiologic skin structures that dermatologists study. With daily skincare, the skin barrier can be disrupted due to over washing, over stripping, or if you have an underlying inflammatory disorder such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, or rosacea. With a damaged skin barrier, the top layer of the skin known as the stratum corneum is dysregulated and impaired. The stratum corneum is a dead waxy layer of skin that holds water in and prevents harmful environmental toxins and pathogens from entering your tissue. A healthy skin barrier fights against infection and transepidermal water loss.  

How to Know if Your Skin Barrier is Damaged 

We often disturb our skin barrier by washing the face too often or using harsh facial scrubs that contain granules. Some at-home mechanical skincare devices can also be too tough on the skin. Signs of a compromised skin barrier include redness, stinging, burning, roughness, and the appearance of microdots.  

Tips to Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier  

Dr. Zenovia recommends four simple measures to repair a broken skin barrier. Firstly, limit the amount of soaps and cleansers you are using. Stick to rinsing your face with water in the morning and only using a cleanser at night. Secondly, limit the usage of chemical ingredients that may be stripping your skin. Stay away from strong acids such as glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. These powerful ingredients need to be slowly incorporated into a skincare routine, but should be omitted until your skin barrier is back to a healthy state. Thirdly, moisten your skin tissue with water. It may sound simple, but spritzing water on the face throughout the day helps the skin heal itself. “Water is massively nourishing to the body and applied to the skin, you can actually get epidermal migration. The skin can heal in the presence of a moist water environment,” Dr. Zenovia shares.   

Lastly, Dr. Zenovia recommends using ceramides for barrier repair. Ceramides are a cholesterol agent that have been studied for decades in dermatology. “We know that there are certain diseases in the body such as atopic dermatitis and eczema where ceramides are not fully formed correctly,” Dr. Zenovia shares. “People who suffer from these skin conditions are lacking ceramides and may be further stripping ceramides from their skin when using harsh washes and acids.  

Dr. Zenovia’s Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer was formulated for barrier repair. The powerful peptide complex and bio-equivalent ceramides work in combination with Dr. Zenovia’s proprietary REG-ulate360 Complex™ to help balance hormonal skin, protect the integrity of the skin’s dermal matrix, strengthen the barrier, and boost elasticity. The advanced formulation prevents dehydration, enhancing the appearance of healthy, plump skin.   

Shop Dr. Zenovia Skincare at Sephora