How to repair your
Skin Barrier

Keeping your skin hydrated and protected is the primary function of the skin barrier, and maintaining the strength of your skin barrier is vital for you to maintain healthy, happy skin.

Read Time

3 min

In short:

What is a Skin Barrier or Hydrolipid Barrier?
What is a Broken Skin Barrier?
5 Causes of a Damaged Skin Barrier
9 Damaged Skin Barrier symptoms
NIVEA's Skin Barrier Repair Routine

What is a
Skin Barrier or Hydrolipid Barrier?

The skin barrier, also known as a hydrolipidic film barrier or hydrolipid barrier, keeps your skin hydrated and prevents moisture loss, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple. The hydrolipid barrier is made up of skin cells that are connected by lipids and contains natural moisturisers, fatty acids, and ceramides, all of which are essential for your skin's health.

Your skin barrier is important because it's responsible for protecting your skin from external factors such as UV rays, chemicals, pollutants and any other external threat that can damage your skin. Another main role is to prevent water loss, so if your skin is feeling dry and sensitive, it could be a sign of a damaged skin barrier.

What is a
Broken Skin Barrier?

A damaged or broken skin barrier is when there's no longer a firm connection between the cells of your skin. As a result, external threats can be absorbed more easily into the skin, leading to the loss of more water and causing even more irritation. This also means that the skin barrier is no longer able to keep hold of the essential substances such as fatty acids and cholesterol that help to maintain the integrity of your skin cells.

5 causes of a
damaged skin barrier

1
Over-cleansing or excessive exfoliation
Using cleansers with active ingredients or fragrances too often can dry out your skin, making it irritated and tight, which can compromise your skin barrier.

Always make sure to check the directions on the product packaging so that you are using your products correctly for the best results.

2
Environmental conditions
A damaged skin barrier can also be caused by your environment, as extreme temperatures, pollution, and UV rays can damage skin cells and lipids, which makes it difficult for your skin to retain moisture and defend itself.

3
Medical conditions
Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis may require treatment with certain medications if advised by a medical professional. These can cause dryness and itchiness, contributing to a broken skin barrier.

4
Lifestyle factors
A poor diet high in fat, salt and sugar, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking can significantly damage your skin barrier due to inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutritional deficiencies.

5
Ageing
With ageing, the hydrolipid barrier starts to thin out and lose its ability to hold on to moisture due to a decrease in your skin's natural oils and lipids, which keep it supple and hydrated. This can lead to dryness, roughness, itchiness, and even an increased risk of infection.

Always make sure to check the directions on the product packaging so that you are using your products correctly for the best results.

9 damaged skin barrier
symptoms

Damage to your skin barrier can show up in a variety of symptoms such as:

1
Dry, patchy skin

2
Flaky, uneven texture

3
Sensitivity

4
Redness

5
Itchy skin

6
Inflammation

7
Dull-looking skin

8
Prolonged wound healing

9
Skin infections

5 tips on
how to repair your skin barrier

1. Keep your skin hydrated throughout the day and focus on incorporating ingredients such as Ceramides or Hyaluronic Acid into your skincare routine, as they are known for their ability to improve skin plumpness and restore natural moisture levels.

2. If you have delicate, sensitive skin, make sure you aren't using exfoliants on a daily basis, as this can strip your skin of its natural oils and irritate it further.

3. Be careful not to overuse products that contain ingredients such as alcohol or fragrances.

4. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can improve skin function and help you maintain a healthy skin barrier, as a well-rounded diet rich in vitamins and fatty acids can boost skin health and resilience.

5. Make sure that you wear sunscreen on a daily basis to help limit and prevent further damage to your skin barrier from UV rays. A benefit of having SPF in your daily moisturiser is that you get to keep your skin hydrated while protecting it from the sun.

Restoring a damaged skin barrier takes time and patience, and consistent care is key.

NIVEA's skin barrier
repair routine

A simple and gentle skincare routine is all you need to get started on repairing your skin barrier. Explore the NIVEA Cellular Expert Range, which has hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid that intensively moisturise your skin. Try incorporating these products into your daily routine for the best results in improving your skin barrier function.

1
Cleanse
In order to effectively repair your skin barrier, try to avoid using cleansers that contain harsh ingredients, as they can disrupt the natural oils present in your skin. Instead, prioritise using hydrating cleansers such as the NIVEA Sensitive Cleansing Milk. This cleansing milk helps to ease symptoms such as redness, tightness, and dryness, while preserving your skin's natural moisture levels.

2
Hydrate
The key to repairing your skin barrier is keeping it hydrated. A great place to start is by using a hydrating face sheet mask after cleansing, like the NIVEA Cellular Expert Pure Bakuchiol Sculpting Face Sheet Mask. Infused with restorative ingredients like pure Bakuchiol and Hyaluronic Acid, this mask will leave your skin feeling smooth and hydrated.

For even more hydration, use a nourishing moisturiser like the NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol Anti-Age Day Cream, which intensively hydrates and strengthens your skin. You can pair this with the NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol Anti-Age Night Cream at night for the best results.

3
Sunscreen
One of the most vital steps in repairing your skin barrier is giving it the protection it needs from the sun's harmful UV rays. Sunscreen is a must-have in your skincare routine as it acts like a shield, protecting your skin from damage while also strengthening your skin barrier.

Once a damaged skin barrier is repaired, your skin will feel more nourished and soft to the touch, with less dryness, redness, and sensitivity. After you have built up your skin barrier's strength, you can look at incorporating active ingredients such as acids like Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide and Retinol more frequently.