The skin barrier is one of the most important parts of your skin, but it’s not always talked about. It’s your skin’s first line of defence, protecting you from harsh weather, pollution, irritants, bacteria and viruses. When the skin barrier (also known as the acid mantle) is healthy, your skin feels soft and smooth. But when you have a damaged skin barrier, the skin can become dry, red, sore, flakey and irritated. 

With this in mind, let’s find out how we can strengthen a damaged skin barrier…

What is the skin barrier? 

The skin is made up of many layers, and the skin barrier (or the acid mantle), is the outermost layer of the skin. Its main job is to keep moisture in and protect the skin from irritants, pollution and bacteria. The skin barrier is made up of two important parts;

The stratum corneum - the outer layer of skin that stops moisture from escaping and protects the skin from any harmful bacteria or irritants.

The hydrolipid film - a thin, slightly oily layer made of water, sweat and natural oils (sebum) that keeps the skin smooth and protected. If this protective film becomes damaged, the skin barrier can weaken, leading to dryness, dehydration, irritation and inflammation. 

What causes the skin barrier to weaken?

There are many reasons why the acid mantle, or skin barrier can weaken - but here are a few common ones.

Harsh or alkaline cleansers - soaps with a high pH can disrupt the skin’s natural pH level of 5.5 - which can damage the acid mantle and leave the skin sore and irritated. 

Over-exfoliating - When your skin is already dry or sensitive, too much exfoliation can do more harm than good. It strips away the skin’s natural oils and weakens the skin barrier, leading to more dryness, redness and sensitivity.

Cold weather - Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, which means that every time you step outside, it starts drawing water from your skin. Dehydration is one of the main causes of a damaged skin barrier. 

Hot showers and baths - While it’s tempting to enjoy hot showers and baths, hot water can strip away the skin’s natural protective oils.

Central heating - Heating systems, such as radiators, heaters and indoor fires also reduce humidity levels. When you spend long hours in a low-moisture environment, your skin loses water much more quickly.

Stress, poor sleep or illness - Your skin struggles to repair itself when you are run down, making the acid mantle weaker and more easily irritated. 

UV damage - Sun exposure slowly breaks down the skin’s natural oils and protective lipids. Even on cloudy days, UV can weaken the skin barrier, making it more sensitive and drier.  

How will I know if my skin barrier is weakened?

There are many signs of a weakened skin barrier - you might notice;

• Dryness or flakiness
• Tight or uncomfortable skin
• Redness or inflammation
• Breakouts
• Itchiness
• Cracked or rough patches
• Stinging when applying skincare

How to strengthen the skin barrier? 

Use a gentle, ph-balanced cleanser

Switching to a gentle cleanser can make a huge difference if you suffer with a damaged skin barrier. Look for ones that are; 

• pH-balanced (around 5.5) - this matches the same pH as healthy skin and will help keep your acid mantle healthy and strong. 
• Soap-free - soap-free cleansers don’t use harsh, alkaline ingredients that can strip the skin and damage the acid mantle - making them far less irritating than traditional soap.  
• Formulated with ingredients like Panthenol - Panthenol hydrates, nourishes and soothes the skin, while helping to repair a damaged skin barrier

For a gentle, ph-balanced cleanser  - try our sebamed Liquid Face and Body wash or Olive Face And Body Wash.

Add moisture back into the skin

A weak or damaged skin barrier can often mean the skin is dehydrated. To fix this, choose a moisturiser that contains humectants - these are ingredients that attract and help you to hold onto water. Look for ingredients such as panthenol, aloe-vera, glycerin and urea to soothe the skin and restore moisture.

Our sebamed Moisturising Body Lotion contains hydrating ingredients like camomile and allantoin to nourish and calm sensitive or problematic skin.

Use a repair cream for sensitive areas

If you are suffering from dry skin, rough patches, cracking, flare ups or conditions like eczema or dermatitis - especially on hands, feet, lips and face - use a repair cream on the more sensitive skin. These issues often point to a weakened or damaged skin barrier - meaning the skin needs extra support to heal and stay protected.

Urea-based hand or foot creams are excellent for very dry skin. They add deep moisture and help repair the skin barrier, making them perfect for sensitive and problematic areas. 

A nourishing lip balm is a must-have for dry or chapped lips. Our sebamed Lip Defence Balm gives long-lasting moisture while helping to soothe and repair very dry lips.

Protect the skin from weather changes

Your skin needs protection all year round. Cold weather can dry out the skin and weaken the skin barrier, while warm weather can lead to dehydration, irritation and sun damage. When the acid mantle is weakened by seasonal changes, it becomes easier for skin conditions to develop. To keep your skin healthy in every season;

• Cover the skin in harsh weather - Protect the skin from harsh winds and low temperatures - for instance; wear gloves to stop your hands from becoming dry, cracked and sore. 
• Use SPF to protect against UV rays - UV rays can damage the skin even on cloudy or cooler days, so applying sunscreen helps protect your skin barrier all year long.
• Stay hydrated - drinking enough water in every season helps support your skin’s moisture levels and keeps it feeling comfortable and soft.