Does your skin feel tight, dry, red, itchy or irritated? Your skin barrier could be damaged. Watch as Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger discuss what the skin barrier is, why it matters and what you can do to soothe irritated skin.
In this video, board-certified dermatologists Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger discuss:
Skin naturally protects your body from allergens and pathogens. At its core, the skin is a barrier, but the outermost layer of skin, the one you see when you look at yourself, is known as the skin barrier (or the epidermis). Maintaining a healthy barrier ensures your skin can work properly, feels comfortable and protects your body from harmful allergens or pathogens.
The skin barrier can be disrupted by many things. Perhaps you’ve used a product your skin doesn’t agree with or the weather outside is cold, dry and windy. You’ll know if it’s damaged if your skin feels overly sensitive, dry, inflamed or tender. However, some signs of a damaged barrier can be easily missed. If you’re unsure, you can always ask your dermatologist.
Repairing a damaged barrier may require any number of things, and sometimes, a visit to your dermatologist is necessary. However, if you want to try a few at-home remedies first, try these steps.
Be gentle: Put away your exfoliators, use lukewarm water to wash your face and pat—don’t rub—your skin dry. Use gentle products that don’t dry out or irritate the skin further.
Scale it back: Limit your regimen to essential products. Think cleanser, hydrating serum, moisturizer and sunscreen. Once your skin feels better, add products back one at a time, so you can determine what (if any) caused the irritation.
Prioritize hydration: Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides or glycerin. These ingredients hydrate the skin cells, so they can function normally and get your barrier back to its best.
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