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How old were you when you first discovered exfoliation and why did you immediately become addicted to it? For me, this was around 2013, when Clarisonic facial exfoliating brushes ruled the world. In the old days of the skincare and beauty internet, the words “skin barrier” had absolutely no meaning, and we relentlessly attacked our faces with harsh body scrubs that promised a healthy glow.
Suffice it to say, times have changed – we now understand that barrier repair is an essential part of a healthy skincare routine. However, we’re only human and sometimes it just happens: we over-exfoliate, resulting in redness, irritation, or even infection. Luckily, all is not lost when trying to heal a weakened skin barrier. There are steps you can take to return to a truly healthy glow, restore moisture to your skin, and prevent future irritation. We’ve called in the big guns (a board-certified dermatologist) to reveal everything you need to know about repairing your skin barrier after damage, as well as a few tips to make sure you never go down the over-exfoliating rabbit hole again fall.
According to dermatologist Dr. According to Fatima Fahs, the skin barrier is our first line of defense against the outside world, be it infections, pollution or temperature fluctuations. “The skin barrier is made up of skin cells and the glue that holds them together: ceramides and fatty acids,” she explains. Basically, you can think of the skin barrier as the top layer of our skin that protects deeper layers of our body’s largest organ. The skin barrier can be damaged when the outermost layer is weakened by excessive exfoliation, harsh climates, or even stress. “Damage to the skin barrier occurs when this outer layer is weakened and the skin cells are no longer held together in a nice, strong network – which makes the skin vulnerable and brittle,” says Dr. Fahs.
If your skin feels particularly rough and sensitive, it’s a sign that your skin barrier may be damaged. “Excessive exfoliation can cause damage to the skin barrier because too many skin cells have been forcibly removed or destroyed,” says Dr. Fahs. “Signs of damage include redness, stinging and burning of the skin. In some situations, the skin barrier may be so weakened that infection is more likely.” So the first step to healing your skin barrier is to figure out the extent of the damage. Do you have an infection or are you just experiencing a little more redness than normal? Visiting your dermatologist or waiting a day or two to see if the irritation goes away at all will help you determine the extent of the damage to your skin barrier.
According to Dr. Fahs, once you realize your skin barrier is damaged, the first step to repair is to limit the products you use in your routine. “If you feel like you’ve gone too far, the first step is to simplify your routine for the next few days and remove any strong active ingredients like retinols and acids,” she says. Avoid the skin cycle for a few days to test how your skin reacts to simply giving it a break from harsher ingredients and exfoliants – you may find that your barrier is strengthened tremendously just by eliminating these products Remove from your routine.
It’s always good to have some extra hydrating, gentler products in your arsenal in case you accidentally run into the problem of skin barrier damage. First, Dr. recommends Fahs, switch to a moisturizing, non-foaming facial cleanser to avoid additional irritation; Your skin will thank you for using gel-based cleansing instead of water-based cleansing during these times. You can also choose an optimal moisturizer to repair your skin barrier. “For sensitive skin, avoiding thin lotions and products with high drying alcohol content can help reduce the burning sensation that most experience when applying a moisturizer,” says Dr. Fahs. If your Barriere damaged, choose ointment-based moisturizers to avoid further irritation.
Once you’ve switched to a gentler cleanser and ointment-based moisturizer, Dr. Fahs take a few additional steps to repair the barrier. She recommends looking for products that soothe and soothe, with ingredients like dimethicone, colloidal oatmeal, and niacinamide. Dimethicone may act as a skin protectant to prevent water loss; colloidal oatmeal can soothe inflamed skin; Niacinamide can maintain healthy skin cells. Ultimately, if you want to repair your skin barrier, don’t be afraid to layer on the moisturizing ingredients: “Apply plenty of moisturizer and store the moisturizer in the fridge for an extra soothing effect to provide additional relief to the skin.” “says Dr. Fahs. Here are a few products to keep in your back pocket for those days when you’ve gone a little overboard with the exfoliation:
Prevention is the best way to avoid redness and irritation in the future, and Dr. Fahs has a few tips for avoiding over-exfoliation once your skin barrier returns to normal. “The best way to avoid damaging the skin barrier is to avoid stacking too many active ingredients at once,” she says. “For example, don’t combine exfoliants with retinol, especially if your skin is sensitive.” She also recommends adding new products to your skincare routine slowly, at least a few weeks apart, to ensure your skin has time to adjust to the new ones Ingredients to get used to. Finally, protecting your skin every morning with a vitamin C serum and sunscreen can reduce damage to the skin barrier while you strive for a healthy glow.
