Damaged Skin Barrier? Here’s How to Heal Your Skin

By now, most of us know that the skin is the body’s largest organ, right? Yet what’s often overlooked is just how much it does behind the scenes. Far beyond simply covering our body, skin plays a quiet yet powerful role in how healthy, balanced, and resilient we look and feel every day. And at the centre of it all is something many of us know very little about: the skin barrier. This built-in shield works around the clock to defend us from the outside world while keeping the good stuff locked in.

Join us as we break down exactly what the skin barrier is, why it plays such a crucial role in skin health, and how to identify and repair a damaged skin barrier. Whether you’re dealing with irritation or simply want to strengthen your skincare routine, understanding your skin barrier is a crucial first step.

If you’ve been dipping a toe into the world of skincare for quite some time, the chances are, you’ve most likely heard of the term’ skin barrier.’ But, if you’ve found yourself wondering what on earth it actually does and why everyone is so concerned about it, let us enlighten you (trust us, there’s good reason to get serious about it).  

Okay, let’s start with the basics. Your skin consists of three layers — the epidermis (top layer), the dermis (middle layer), and the hypodermis (bottom/fatty layer). To avoid overcomplicating things and sending your brain into a spiral, we’ll focus on the epidermis today. Within the epidermis are five layers of skin, one of which is known as the ‘stratum corneum.’ Have we lost you yet? Nope? Great! Let’s continue.

The stratum corneum is your skin’s outermost layer, consisting of skin cells containing natural moisturisers and keratin, as well as lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. As you’ve likely guessed by now, the incredible stratum corneum — aka your body’s brick wall — is known as the skin barrier. 

Think of your skin barrier as your body’s armour or protective shield, responsible for keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out:

• The good stuff: Your skin barrier helps your body retain water, important natural oils, and key nutrients. Without it, your skin would appear severely dehydrated, textured, and all-round unhealthy. 
• The bad stuff: You know those unwanted germs, bacteria, pollutants, and irritants that surround us daily? Well, you owe your skin barrier a big old hug because one of its primary jobs is to keep these pesky skin destroyers out. 

To put it simply, a damaged skin barrier is a weak one. When compromised, your skin barrier will result in faster moisture loss and is more likely to allow irritants and pollutants to infiltrate your skin more easily. While on the surface, this may appear as dry, dull, and just generally unhappy-looking skin, often what’s happening beneath the surface is even more sinister — potentially resulting in skin inflammation and sensitivity caused by exposure to microbes and allergens. Not to mention, a damaged skin barrier can fast-track premature ageing, as hydrated skin is what keeps us looking plump, nourished, and youthful. 

We know you likely wanted the straightforward answer, but let us elaborate on the above a touch further so you can truly understand just how incredible the stratum corneum (skin barrier) is. The stratum corneum is made up of corneocytes, which you can think of as bricks. Inside each brick (aka corneocyte), you’ll find a perfect balance of lipids, ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. While the ceramides deliver important oils, the lipids can be thought of as the mortar (yes, we’re still using the brick analogy), which help to hold the bricks and all of their elements together to build the perfect structure to keep you safe. All of these incredible parts are important for a healthy functioning skin barrier. Without them, unwanted invaders enter your home and wreak havoc on your skin and body. 

If all this talk about the importance of your skin barrier has you wondering if yours is in optimal condition or if it could use a little extra TLC and strengthening, let’s take a closer look at some symptoms that may point to a damaged skin barrier and what could be behind it. 

A poorly functioning skin barrier won’t sit idle for long — there will be clear signs something more serious is going on beneath the surface (well, the stratum corneum, to be exact). According to Healthline, the following skin conditions may be a sign that your skin barrier is calling out for attention:

• Your skin appears dry and scaly
• Regular skin itchiness
• Textured (i.e., rough) and discoloured skin patches 
• Acne
• Areas of skin that are sensitive or inflated
• Bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections 

Now, we bet you’re wondering, “but how did I even damage my skin barrier when I use skincare daily?.” Great question! Several internal and external factors contribute to a damaged skin barrier. Let’s take a closer look:

The short answer is yes, your skin barrier can be repaired (we can hear you rejoicing from here). The fine print is that it’s not an overnight fix—it requires the right skincare protocol and consistency. 

How long it takes to heal is really one of those ‘How long is a piece of string?’ type questions, as it will differ from person to person and depend on the severity of the damage. For some, it may take just a few weeks, and for others, it may take half a year. But for now, the good news is that it absolutely can be done and should be prioritised!  

Okay, finally, we’re at the fun part. Now that we know why the skin barrier is so important, how it works, and that it can be repaired (hallelujah!), it’s time to get started on your skin barrier redemption story. 

Here are a few important skincare tips to help repair a damaged skin barrier and help maintain a healthy one:

While we all grew up believing that soap is the holy grail skin-cleaning elixir, this couldn’t be further from the truth — it can sadly do far more harm than good when it comes to skin health. Soap is harsh on your skin as it can strip it of important oils, kill good bacteria, and change your skin’s pH level — all of which are known to weaken your skin barrier. 

What to look for: When choosing the right cleanser, aim for a soap-free, pH-balanced (look for products with a pH of 4 or less to support a healthy skin barrier), mild cleanser. Another bonus is looking for products designed for sensitive skin and containing no fragrances. 

By now, you’ve hopefully realised that a healthy skin barrier is a hydrated one. We recommend adding extra hydration to your skin with plant oils and Hyaluronic Acid. 

Wondering why? A 2018 study found that specific plant oils may be advantageous in helping to repair the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss. This includes plant oils such as Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Argan Oil, Rosehip Oil, and Sunflower Oil. Hyaluronic Acid delivers equally compelling hydrating benefits, mainly owing to its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This ingredient is known as a humectant, which essentially means it draws water into your skin — usually from the air or inside your body — and helps your skin retain it to avoid transepidermal water loss. 

What to look for: 

• Dr Tanya’s Holy Basil Face Serum: This powerhouse face serum uses the goodness of three powerful oils — Holy Basil, Jojoba Oil, and Cacay Oil—to add life and hydration back into dry, depleted skin. It’s deeply nourishing and undeniably hydrating all year round. 
• Dr Tanya’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Our incredible Hyaluronic Acid Serum isn’t just your run-of-the-mill formula. It contains a unique four-dimensional Hyaluronic delivery system, which combines the lightweight, deeply penetrable characteristics of Hyaluronic Acid with the strong water-binding attributes of high-molecular polymer to nourish and moisturise the skin deeply. Clinical trials using Hymagic 4D have demonstrated a 16% decrease in transepidermal water loss! 

As aforementioned, maintaining moisture in the skin is the key to a healthy skin barrier. Face moisturisers are designed to act as a seal that helps your skin retain water, so they are a great step for repairing and maintaining barrier integrity. Moisturisers containing Ceramides (these are naturally found in your skin and make up 50% of its composition), Hyaluronic Acid, and Lipid-rich ingredients like Squalane, Jojoba Oil, and more are worth looking out for. 

What to look for: Dr Tanya’s Luxe Recovery Gel is our go-to hydration-boosting gel/mask/overnight moisturiser…whatever you want it to be! It contains the powerful humectant and emollient properties of Panthenol, the hydrating support of Aloe Vera, and the skin barrier-protecting benefits of Squalane to nourish your skin at all times. 

• Only use warm water – hot water can strip your skin of healthy natural oils. Whether showering or washing your face, ensure you’re opting for warm water, not hot. 
• Be sure not to over-exfoliate - Similar to the reason above, too much exfoliation will likely strip important oils from your skin while damaging the skin barrier. 
• Always wear SPF50+. Excessive sun damage weakens your skin barrier, so always ensure you’re protecting your skin from its harsh rays. 
• Check the pH level of your skincare products - Where possible, make sure your cleanser has a pH between 4.0 and 5.0 to ensure it doesn’t wreak havoc on your skin’s acid mantle, which sits around 4.7. Fun fact: Your skin should be slightly more acidic to help fight off unwanted invaders and bacteria.