We’re diving into the subject of skin barrier care! We’ll cover what exactly your skin barrier consists of, what it does, how to know if yours is damaged, and finally, how to support it with gentle pH-balanced skincare.
So if you’ve been thinking, “I thought my whole skin was a barrier!”, read on, because we’re breaking it down for you.
What is your skin barrier and what does it do?
Your skin is made up of many layers, but the outermost one is called the stratum corneum. It’s the layer of skin that protects you from pollutants and other environmental factors while keeping moisture in.
Here’s where it gets a little technical. Your skin barrier consists of a matrix of cells called corneocytes and lipids. These lipids contain all the good stuff that your skin needs to stay moisturized and strong—ceramides, fatty acids, etc.
Together, these cells and lipids form a strong “wall” that protects you from UV rays, infection, pollution, and dehydration. This outside layer of skin is what’s collectively known as the “skin barrier”. It’s you and your lipid matrix against the world!
How does the skin barrier get damaged?
Healthy layers of skin cells and lipids can become damaged. Some common causes of a weakened skin barrier include:
- Too many active ingredients (like retinol or lactic acid)
- External stuff like wind and cold weather.
- Over-washing and over-exfoliating with aggressive scrubs and stripping cleansers
But don’t worry, we’re going to give you some science-backed tips for recognizing damage and supporting a strong skin barrier, as well as suggestions for gentle skincare.
What does a compromised skin barrier look and feel like?
A lot of common skin concerns can be attributed to a damaged or weakened skin barrier. These could be:
- Itchiness
- Skin condition flare-ups, like an eczema resurgence
- Acne
- Flakiness, dryness, and tightness
- Rough or bumpy skin
And, if you have sensitive skin, you may already be more prone to these things.
How to take care of your skin barrier
When your skin barrier is damaged, you want to focus on three things: simplicity, gentleness, and hydration.
- Avoid anything harsh. This includes excessive sun and super hot water (sorry).
- Pause strong actives like retinoids or lactic acid for a while
- Switch to fragrance-free, pH-balanced cleansers and lotions with barrier-loving moisturizers such as shea butter and jojoba oil—like our Body Wash and Lotion—bonus, they’re safe for your face too!
- As always, give your barrier the best chance by using SPF, not smoking, and staying hydrated!
Boie’s barrier-supportive routine for sensitive skin
Our fragrance- and dye-free Body Wash and Lotion could be a great option if you’re looking to support your skin barrier and care for sensitive skin without harsh ingredients.
- No unnecessary additives - no dyes, fragrance, parabens, or sulfates
- pH balanced - we made our skincare with a pH similar to your skin’s to support a healthy skin barrier.
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Filled with ingredients that support a healthy barrier and lock in moisture:
- Glycerin - a powerful hydrator
- Shea butter - nourishes and softens skin while supporting barrier function
- Caprylic/capric triglyceride - a coconut-derived emollient
- Tocopherol Acetate (aka Vitamin E) - protects lipids in the skin barrier
- Jojoba oil - structurally similar to human sebum, which makes it extra barrier-compatible. It’s also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
- Clinically tested and dermatologist-approved to be safe and gentle on skin
Shop our gentle, hydrating Body Wash and Body Lotion
But what about exfoliating sensitive skin or a damaged skin barrier?
Don’t worry, you can still fight flakes and reduce the look of acne with our Scrubbers!
Our Face and Body Scrubbers provide a light exfoliation while simultaneously cleansing and unclogging pores—all gentle enough to keep your skin barrier healthy!
Read more about how to exfoliate sensitive skin in our gentle exfoliation guide.