Understanding the Skin Barrier: How to Heal and Protect

What is the Skin Barrier?

The stratum corneum, often referred to as the skin barrier, is the outermost layer of your skin. It acts as a protective shield, keeping moisture locked in and harmful irritants, bacteria, and environmental pollutants out.

Signs of a Damaged Barrier

When your barrier is damaged, you may experience persistent dryness, flakiness, redness, burning sensations when applying products, and sudden breakouts. To heal it, strip back active ingredients (like retinoids and chemical exfoliants) and focus on ceramides, fatty acids, and soothing humectants.