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 if you want to keep your skin healthy.

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 as 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 where 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 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, leaving it irritated and tight, which can compromise the skin barrier.

Always make sure you check the directions on the product packaging so you know you're using the products correctly for the best results.

2
Environmental conditions
A damaged skin barrier can 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, and 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 usually keep it supple and hydrated. This can lead to dryness, roughness, itchiness and even an increased risk of infection.

Always make sure you check the directions on the product packaging so you know you're using the products correctly for the best results.

9 damaged skin barrier
symptoms

Damage to the 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 these are known for their ability to improve skin plumpness and restore natural moisture levels.

2. If you have delicate, sensitive skin, try not to use 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 your skin’s health and resilience.

5. Make sure you wear sunscreen every day to help limit and prevent further damage to your skin barrier from UV rays. A bonus 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 exactly what 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 when it comes to improving your skin barrier function.

1
Cleanse
To effectively repair the skin barrier, try to avoid cleansers that contain harsh ingredients which can disrupt the natural oils present in your skin. Instead, prioritise using hydrating cleansers such as 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. Pair this with the NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol Anti-Age Night Cream at night-time 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 as a shield, protecting your skin from damage while also strengthening your skin barrier.

Explore NIVEA sunscreen

When a damaged skin barrier is repaired, your skin will feel more nourished and soft to the touch, with less dryness, redness and sensitivity. Once you've built up your skin barrier's strength, you can start to incorporate active ingredients such as acids like salicylic acid, niacinamide and retinol more frequently.