Sensitive Skin? 15 Signs That It Might Actually Be An Impaired Skin Barrier
Our skin is the biggest organ in our body. Contrary to popular belief, the skin is a barrier, not a sponge. It's our first line of defense against*:
Microbes
UV radiation (sun damage)
Environmental pollutants
Oxidation
Our skin also helps us adapt to different environments by helping regulate our body's temperature. And it supports the immune system by protecting our body from disease. It also locks in moisture and oils to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss) which is not good for our skin as we know that moisture and hydration are key!
But it can only do this if it's functioning properly and healthy.
What causes damage?
The skin’s barrier function can easily be disrupted or damaged by pollutants in the environment, cumulative sun damage, or even products that are used incorrectly. This results in skin that's dull, rough to the touch, and dry. And thus you might experience sensitivity or reaction to certain products.
There are a lot of behaviors that can damage the barrier, here are some to consider:
Using too much or the wrong exfoliant: although an important part of our skincare routine to help with a dull appearance, even out texture, and improve penetration of serums/moisturizers, overdoing exfoliation can cause irritation and breakouts
How much you exfoliate depends on your skin type (with oily skin tolerating more than dry skin) and the strength of your exfoliant (if lower concentration it can be daily for some people depending on how your skin tolerates it). Also, combining too many acids in different products can lead to increased irritation
Physical exfoliators: I don't usually recommend these for anyone (brushes, scrubs, etc), and using them too often can lead to more damage. If you choose to incorporate into your routine 1) don't do it more than 1 x week 2) if using a brush, make sure to properly cleanse it because bacteria can quickly form and be passed on to your skin
Prescription retinol and other acne medications can also impair the barrier if used incorrectly. Follow the advice of your prescribing professional
Browsing your kitchen cabinet and experimenting on your face. Lemons belong in your water or guac, not your skin!
Not protecting your skin against the sun (SPF every day!)
If you've done any of the above or are unclear whether your barrier is impaired, the following are 15 signs that it might be impaired:
Acne
Enlarged pores
Dehydration
Dryness
Tightness
Redness
Inflammation
Increased appearance of fine lines
Rough texture
Flakiness
Peeling
Rosacea
Eczema
Itchiness
Increased sensitivity
How to repair your skin barrier
We can all benefit from ingredients that nurture our skin. Topical skincare plays an important role in keeping our barrier safe by ensuring that it's working optimally.
Moisturizing is key for everyone to prevent moisture loss and reducing dehydration. But if your skin barrier is compromised then make sure to incorporate products with ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, urea, hyaluronic acid, squalane *
You will most likely find these in moisturizers and serums
Sunscreens protect against UV exposure so don't forget to protect every.single.day.
Love the skin you're in
No matter what the current state of your skin barrier is, it's important to give it love. And I don't mean with just the topical products mentioned above. Appreciate all the hard work instead of bringing it down. Our skin barrier does so much for us every day.
Remember that there's no such thing as perfect skin. But your skin IS smart and knows what's best for you. You simply need to listen to what it's telling you it needs and learn how to nourish it.
Keep it safe and healthy. Love yourself and your barrier. And remind yourself every day of how amazing your skin is and how beautiful you are.
By repairing your skin barrier you might find that your complexion improves, conditions that bother you are reduced or disappear, and guess what? You might not be so sensitive after all!
*Resources:
Skin Barrier by Peter M. Elias, Kenneth R. Feingold
Milady Skincare and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary
The Skincare Bible by Dr. Anjali Mahto