Barrier Supporting Ingredients – Bringing Your Barrier Back to Life

We’ve all been there. We tried a new exfoliating product that we saw on TikTok and instead of ending up with the glowing skin we saw the influencer have, we ended up with dry, irritated skin. It happens! Sometimes a product just doesn’t work for everyone. Orr sometimes we overdo it a little. Either which way, we are now left with figuring out how to get our skin healthy again and that is exactly where barrier supporting ingredients come in. These are ingredients that help repair your skin barrier so that it can function better leading to healthier, happier skin. Let’s get into some ingredients you should look for (with product recommendations of course) when looking to repair your skin barrier!

First of all, what is the skin barrier?

The skin barrier is a your skin's protective shield. It contains small organism like bacteria (yes some bacteris is good lol). Your skin is slightly acidic (acid mantle) and that is what protects you from outside disrupting bacteria and other environmental stressors. Many things can cause an impaired barrier from over exfoliating to stress, and environments that are too dry or even too humid. When your barrier is impaired, it can result in dryness from water loss, acne, sensitivity, redness, and irritation. Further, all of the symptoms can lead to premature signs of aging in the skin. Aging is a beautiful process but there is no need to do it before time!

CERAMIDES

Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner & Moisturizer

I talked a lot about ceramides and their barrier supporting function in a previous post of mine! Ceramides are fatty lipids that are already found in the skin. They work as the cement that keeps your skin cells together. When your barrier is functioning properly, it keeps moisture locked in. When your barrier is impaired however, it’s like there is little gaps in the cement leading to water loss (that dryness you experience), irritation and breakouts. This is why adding ceramides into your routine can be so beneficial for repairing your barrier. It’s like recementing the wall making it stronger, locking in that moisture and keeping bad bacteria out.

One of my favourite ceramide rich products is the Laniege Cream Skin Toner. This toner is super hydrating and leaves your skin not only healthier but plumber too.

COLLODIAL OATMEAL

Topicals Like Butter Daily Moisturizer

Colloidal oatmeal is an ingredient I find that isn’t talked about enough! This is a multi-action ingredient that works to repair your skin barrier by reducing inflammation, rebalancing pH and locking in moisture. Colloidal oatmeal acts as an emollient that forms a film over skin reducing moisture loss and locking out bad things, like pollutants, from the skin.  Further, an impaired barrier can also cause disruption of the acid mantle by throwing off the pH levels. By including colloidal oatmeal in your routine, it can help restore the pH thus improving barrier function. Colloidal oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help to reduce inflammation by fight against free radicals leading to reduce signs of aging!

My favourite colloidal oatmeal product has to be the Topicals Like Butter moisturizer. Its super lightweight and ideal for all skin types. While it is a little pricey ($42), it is jam packed with more barrier saving ingredients including ceramides.

ZINC OXIDE

Uriage Bariéderm Cica Cream with Zinc and Copper

This ingredient is one that I was told about only a couple years ago and think that everyone, but especially acne suffers, should know about! Zinc oxide is a great ingredient that works to soothe inflammtion, regulates sebum and has antioxidant properties. An impaired barrier can lead to inflammation of the skin causing breakouts and irritation. So, by using zinc in your routine, you are going to soothe that irration and calm down inflammation leading to less breakouts. Zinc oxide having antioxidant properties is another win for the skin because it works reduce the signs premature aging that an impaired barrier can cause. It lessens the formation of free radicals and protects our collagen making cells.

My favourite zinc product is has to be the Uriage Bariéderm Cica Cream ($16.50) that contains both copper and zinc. This works so great for calming inflammtion and just overall soothing irritated skin. Though it is not technically branded as a moisturizer, my friends and I have used it daily with no issues!

Overall, an impaired barrier is not a forever thing especially when you incorporate barrier saving ingredients. Just remember, skincare products are not a quick fix and take time aand consistent to work. Don't rush the process!

Love,

abeautygworl

P.S. Some honourable ingredient mentions also include glycerin, q10, niacinamide, squalene and hyaluronic acid :)