how to repair your skin barrier

Damaged your skin barrier? Here’s how to repair it!

Have you over-exfoliated your skin? Maybe tested out a few too many active ingredients? We’ve all been there! Barrier repair has been a huge conversation over this pandemic due to the harmful effects masks have had on our skin. More and more people are now focusing on repairing the skin, rather than masking it. Here’s how!

The key to healthy-looking skin; our skin barrier works as a security guard protecting what is on the inside and preventing the bad guys from coming through, such as UV, pollution, dirt, and bacteria. When our barrier is damaged, our skin can become red, overly sensitive, dehydrated, rough in texture, and irritated. 

Causes of Damage

There are many ways that the skin barrier can be damaged. Over exfoliating your skin can cause inflammation, breakouts, and increased sensitivity. Exfoliating your face should be part of your WEEKLY skincare routine, not your DAILY skincare routine. We recommend exfoliating your skin 2-3 times a week. Have you ever cleansed your face and your skin felt tight afterward? This may be because your cleanser is too harsh for you. Stripping your skin of its natural oils can be damaging. These natural oils protect your skin and keep it healthy. With the easing of lockdown and more time being spent outside, our skin is exposed to more and more environmental stressors. To protect your skin we recommend using SPF and Vitamin C daily.

Signs of Damage

The weakness of the barrier is the underlying cause of sensitive skin. If you’ve recently noticed your skin becoming more irritated, red, dehydrated, and rough in texture, this may be a sign that your skin barrier is damaged. 

How to Repair

To repair your skin barrier, we recommend going back to basics and giving your skin a chance to breathe. Simplify your skincare routine. Stop exfoliating. Don’t over-cleanse. Give your skin a break. When it comes to cleansing, using lukewarm water is always best. Using hot or cold water can strip your skin of the protective oils that help to hold in moisture.

How to maintain a healthy Skin Barrier

Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is important to be able to achieve a healthy glowing complexion. Keeping your skin moisturised is an important part of maintaining your barrier. Using products with ceramides or a humectant like hyaluronic acid will help to keep your skin hydrated and seal in moisture. We also recommend wearing SPF every day, that’s right not just in summer! 

Products we recommend:

Our Ceramides Soothing & Protective Day Cream SPF 20 works to protect your skin against environmental aggressors and helps to soften, replenish and repair skin. Ceramide is a key ingredient, aiming to form a protective layer that helps plump skin and hold moisture whilst acting as a barrier against bacteria and environmental pollutants

Our Collagen Intense Radiance Activator Serum has a unique formulation that combines Collagen and Lecithin amongst other powerful actives and ingredients. Collagen aims to work as an important building block for elasticity and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Rich in softening, soothing and moisturising properties, Lecithin helps hydrate, replenish and repair the skin, making it an excellent treatment for mature and dry skin.

Our Supreme Hyaluronic Acid Anti-oxidising DUO Moisturiser is an Age Nutri-Revive moisturiser formulated with our signature Hyaluronic Acid aimed at restoring your skin's natural glow day and night. Hyaluronic Acid aims to penetrate deep into the skin, helping to intensely hydrate your skin. This moisturiser also contains Avocado Oil which aims to intensely hydrate and soften your skin with its humectant properties which help retain moisture.