Everything You Need to Know About How to Care for Your Skin Barrier

Phrases like “skin barrier,” “moisture barrier,” and “barrier function” are commonly used in skincare. Your skin’s barrier function is twofold: First, it needs to trap moisture inside the layers of skin to prevent it from drying out or becoming flaky and irritated. The long-term benefits of keeping skin hydrated can be seen in the skin’s overall resilience, clarity, brightness, and suppleness. The second barrier function is that the skin is the first line of defense against bacteria, pollutants, toxins, and UV rays. Products often promise to support the skin’s barrier functions, which refers to one of those two things—and sometimes both.

The skin barrier is located in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin—specifically, its outermost layer, called the stratum corneum or the lipid layer. In theory, any skincare regimen is inherently “pro barrier” because the skin itself is that barrier.

But there are ways in which this barrier can be compromised (exfoliating too much, not wearing sunscreen, picking at skin, and so on). So, let’s look at what can do your skin wrong and how to make those things right and enhance your barrier for a strong complexion.

Things That Compromise the Skin’s Barrier Function

These habits, behaviors, and circumstances are common culprits behind compromised skin health.

Not Wearing SPF: You have to wear SPF every day, year-round. The UV rays that penetrate the earth’s atmosphere (even through clouds, rain, and glass) are categorized in two ways: First, UVA rays damage collagen fibers and accelerate signs of aging (unfortunately, they’re also responsible for that nice summer glow). Second, UVB rays cause sunburn and skin cancer. Both types of UV rays dehydrate the skin and can lead to loss of moisture retention and increased skin thickness.

Taking Hot Showers: Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils—and those oils are both hydrating and nourishing, and they can damage some of the keratin cells in your skin that help it trap and retain moisture. This one is a tough pill to swallow, but hot showers are supremely damning for your skin (and hair too). Even if you splash water on your face in the morning, make it lukewarm.

Living in Big Cities: Everyone is exposed to pollutants and toxins. But those of us who reside in big cities with lots of pollution from traffic, energy consumption, factories, etc. (in short, smog) are much more susceptible to these “environmental stressors.” Toxins like this will damage collagen and dry up the lipid layer. Anyone who smokes is also at increased risk, but we’ll file that habit underneath another bullet below.