Our skin barrier is our body’s first defence against the outside world, resposible for protecting us against external aggressors like bacteria, pollution, and UV rays, and also for locking moisture in to keep skin healthy and hydrated. But what happens when our skin barrier gets damaged? Everything from harsh weather conditions to over-exfoliation can damage the skin barrier, leading to dryness, dehydration, and increased sensitivity.
While our number one tip for preventing skin barrier damage is to go easy on the active ingredients and exfoliants, if you do find yourself with a compromised barrier, you’re going to need to bolster your routine with products that help to soothe and strengthen. Featuring reparative ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, these are some of the best products for repairing your skin barrier.
3. By BEAUTY BAY Overnight Balm
If a moisturiser alone doesn’t quite cut it, you can finish off your evening skincare routine with a balm or an oil to seal everything in. This thick balm acts like a temporary barrier, preventing moisture from escaping skin while also infusing it with even more hydrating ingredients.
4. Dr Jart Ceramidin Ectoin Cream
Dr. Jart+’s Ceramidin range (which includes a moisturiser, serum, essence, and mist) is amazing for repairing and moisturising a damaged skin barrier. The latest addition to the collection is this super-thick moisturiser, which can be used all over as a night cream or to target areas of sore, dry skin.
5. Peter Thomas Roth Oilless Oil 100% Purified Squalane
Derived from sugar cane and olives, squalane is an oil-like ingredient, perfect for nourishing and moisturising skin. Unlike regular oils, it’s surprisingly non-greasy so can be tolerated by all skin types. It’s commonly found in a lot of moisturisers and oil blends, but this treatment presents the ingredient on its own – perfect for sensitive skin.
6. Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturiser
Unlike regular toners which are thin and watery, this one is more of a cream-like texture. It’s soothing, calming, and essentially acts like a moisturiser via the format of a toner. Use it to provide an initial layer of hydration to skin before applying your serums and moisturiser.
7. CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum
CeraVe are the authority on providing hydrating, barrier-repairing products that are suitable for sensitive skin. They have a full range of cleansers and moisturisers, but we’re particularly obsessed with this serum. It’s thick in texture so provides an immediate moisture boost.
9. Glow Hub Barrier Builder
Formulated with the skin barrier in mind, and packed with skin-strengthening ingredients like ceramides and amino fatty acids, this lightweight but nourishing serum is the ideal product to apply underneath your moisturiser.