How to Recognise and Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier 

Skin barrier care is such a hot topic in the beauty world right now. Which is no surprise, because we’re all becoming aware that a damaged skin barrier is one of the major causes behind the skin issues we’d all like to tackle, like irritation and dullness. 

In this article, we’ll talk you through how to spot the key damaged skin barrier signs, what causes your barrier to break down in the first place and how to begin restoring it. 

What is the skin barrier? 

The skin barrier is the final (and arguably most important) of the outer layers of your skin. 

It’s a water-resistant surface composed of skin cells that are bound together by natural oils and fatty acids like Ceramides. Together, these form a delicate yet protective shield, which acts as your first line of defence against everyday environmental aggressors. 

 

Why is the skin barrier important? 

In very basic terms, the skin barrier stops things you don’t want (like bacteria) from entering the skin while keeping the things you do want (like hydration) in. 

When you have a compromised skin barrier, it can mean you experience more water loss, which is why it suddenly feels so dry and irritated. 

Likewise, if you’ve noticed you’re breaking out a lot more than usual, it might be because your skin’s natural defences against daily dirt and pollution have been weakened. When this happens, they can penetrate easily through the layers of skin, leading to increased skin sensitivity and redness.

So, now you can see how your barrier plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin.

What can cause a damaged skin barrier?

From a change in weather to harsh skincare products, there are many different reasons that damaged skin barrier symptoms can start to appear.

Some skin barrier damaging factors include:

• Too much exposure to UV rays
• Over-exfoliating or drying cleansers 
• Harsh skincare products or ingredients
• Environmental factors
• Stress
• Age

What does a damaged skin barrier look and feel like?

As everyone has unique skin, the signs of skin barrier damage may look and feel different. However, if your skin feels irritated, it could be one of the first clues that your skin barrier is damaged. 

More signs of a damaged skin barrier include:

• Flaky, dry skin
• Itching 
• Redness
• Increased sensitivity 
• Skin infections
• Hyperpigmentation
• Dullness 
• Flare-ups of pre-existing conditions like eczema or rosacea 
• More visible fine lines and wrinkles
• Breakouts

How to repair a damaged skin barrier 

If your skin barrier is damaged, there’s lots of small changes you can make that will make a difference - like using water that’s a little bit cooler when you cleanse.

A good first step is to look at your skincare routine and take it back to basics, removing anything that could be causing irritation and switching any products that are too harsh right now. 

Opting for a gentle cleanser that purifies without stripping the skin will work wonders. 

Similarly, taking a bit of a break from some active ingredients could give your skin a chance to recover.

Using nourishing serums, moisturisers and masks that are enriched with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid will help replenish your skin’s hydration levels, which can drop rapidly when you have a broken skin barrier. 

Let’s talk about the best Simple skincare products you can use to help you master barrier repair.

Top skin barrier repair products 

If you think your skin barrier has been compromised, you’ve come to the right place because our NEW Active Skin Barrier Care collection just arrived, and it’s been expertly designed to replenish and protect your skin.

Like all Simple products, this ultra-gentle range has been created (and dermatologically tested) with sensitive skin in mind. It contains no perfume, colour or harsh chemicals. So, they’re exactly what you need to avoid further irritation if your skin barrier is damaged.

Firstly, there’s a choice of two skin-supporting cleansers. Our Replenishing Cream Cleanser is a super effective cream-to-foam formula, enriched with 11% Ceramide Boosters and Hyaluronic Acid. 

Unlike topical Ceramides that only reach the skin’s surface, the Ceramide Boosters that power our formulas penetrate deeply through up to 10 layers of skin, intensely repairing from within.

If you’re looking to tackle dullness or breakouts caused by a damaged skin barrier, our Smoothing Gel Cleanser is about to transform your routine. It’s blended with 5% Lactic Acid, one of the gentlest AHAs, which exfoliates without leading to irritation. Plus, Hyaluronic Acid to lock in hydration. This cleanser resurfaces and refreshes for soft, smooth skin.

We also have two incredible new moisturisers to try, both enriched with Ceramide Boosters.  

Simple® Ceramide Booster technology gives the skin everything it needs to produce its own ceramides, making the skin barrier more resilient from within. 

Our Repairing Rich Cream has a beautifully rich texture and is infused with 22% Ceramide Boosters and Cica to soothe and restore.  

It penetrates up to 10 skin layers to intensely replenish and restore the skin’s lipid barrier, while providing long-lasting hydration It’s also clinically proven to give you up to 2x skin resilience in just 28 days. 

If you love gel textures, our Soothing Water Cream is the perfect pick. It contains 15% Skin Conditioners and Aloe, which leaves skin feeling instantly dewy fresh.  

Fast-absorbing and lightweight, this skin barrier repair cream gives you all day hydration, for soft, supple skin.  

This gently nourishing moisturising cream restores the skin’s moisture while supporting its natural function, boosting skin’s defence against external aggressors.  

Top tip: Using a serum before your barrier repair moisturiser can help boost the repair process by targeting specific needs. Our Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide Booster Serums work perfectly together to hydrate and support your skin. 

Looking for more skincare advice? 

Now you know all about how to spot the signs of a damaged skin barrier, you’re well on your way to having healthy skin again. Let us know how you get on over on our social channels.  We can’t wait to hear what you think of our new Active Skin Barrier Care range! 

If you're looking for more skincare tips and tricks, we've got lots of articles for you to check out here.