How to repair a damaged skin barrier

Our skin barrier is a crucial part of skin health, helping to protect us and retain moisture in the skin. However, excessive cleansing and harsh ingredients in skincare products, as well as skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, can lead to a damaged skin barrier over time.

Here we examine the signs of a damaged skin barrier, the main causes, and which products should be used.

The skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of the skin. Composed of cells and lipids, it serves as the body’s first line of defence against environmental factors such as pollution and helps to retain moisture.

This outermost layer of the skin has, on average, about 20 sub-layers of flattened, dead cells depending on where on the body the skin is. These dead cells are shed regularly in a process known as desquamation. When they are not shed regularly through exfoliation, excess dead skin cells can lead to clogged pores and acne. The skin barrier is also home to the sweat gland pores and the openings of the sebaceous glands.

Signs of a damaged skin barrier can change how the outer layer of skin appears, and can easily be mistaken for other skin conditions, making identifying a damaged skin barrier somewhat difficult.

Look out for the following signs of a skin barrier damage:

• Itchy, dry skin which can easily be mistaken for eczema 
• Dry, scaly skin which can resemble psoriasis 
• Sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin 
• Discolouration, resulting in an uneven skin tone 
• Acne 
• Bacterial, viral or fungal skin infections 
• Loss of moisture in the skin, leading to dehydration 

Anything your skin is exposed to can cause skin barrier damage and leave you in need of skin barrier repair, which is why narrowing down a cause can be particularly difficult. 

Some common causes of skin barrier damage include: 

• Environments that are too dry or too humid 
• Air pollution, allergens and irritants 
• Overexposure to the sun 
• Harsh skincare ingredients like retinol 
• Over-washing or over-exfoliating 
• Alkaline detergents and soaps

If you suspect your skin barrier is damaged, you may have asked yourself how to repair the skin barrier. The first step to repairing a damaged skin barrier is simplifying your skincare routine. Skin barrier damage is often caused by steps and products in skincare routines that are not suitable for certain skin types.

Simplifying your skincare routine will also let you know if the cause behind a damaged skin barrier is deeper than the surface level.

For skin barrier damage resulting in very dry skin, we recommend Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS. The range has been specifically designed to help reduce dry skin, and it can also repair skin barrier damage caused by moisture loss.

UreaRepair products contain Urea and other Natural Moisturising Factors to help increase the skin’s water-binding capacity. This helps reduce redness and itching which in turn, allows the damaged skin barrier to begin to heal. Ceramides are a key ingredient in the UreaRepair PLUS range, which replenish essential lipids in the skin, helping to rebuild and strengthen the skin barrier.

Eucerin's Aquaphor range is designed to provide intensive care for damaged skin, particularly for conditions such as cracked skin, which can result due to a compromised skin barrier.

The range is enriched with Panthenol and Glycerin. Panthenol is a powerful moisturising agent that penetrates the skin and promotes skin regeneration. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts water into the skin, further aiding in moisture retention. This combination of ingredients forms a semi-permeable barrier over the skin which ensures the skin remains well hydrated, preventing further cracking and allowing for skin barrier repair.

If skin barrier symptoms are severe, skin barrier repair may feel like fighting a losing battle.

Generally, the skin barrier can start to show improvement in as little as a few days, but full repair typically takes between two weeks to a month. Implementing a gentle skincare routine, avoiding irritants and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key strategies to promote skin barrier repair.

If you’re concerned with your skin barrier, speak to a dermatologist or doctor for further advice