How To Know If Your Skin Barrier Is Damaged And How To Fix It

Over-exfoliating your skin can cause major skin barrier damage. Scrubs cause little cuts, or microabrasions, in the skin barrier that compromise how well it can do its job. [7] X Research source

Patch test new products on less visible skin first to avoid damage over a wide area.

Minor shifts in pH are normal, but too much exposure to stronger bases or acids, like soaps and chemical peels, can throw your skin’s pH too far off. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Once your skin has improved, introduce products with more active ingredients one-by-one. A gradual reintroduction will help your skin get used to the products and prevent causing another overload. [14] X Research source

Ingredients that can also be found naturally on the skin will help your skin barrier build itself back. Moisturizers like Cerave Moisturizing Lotion include ceramides and hyaluronic acid, both already in your stratum corneum and acid mantle. [17] X Research source