If you feel that your skin has been feeling tight or suddenly more sensitve to products that used to work just fine, it might not just be “dryness” or "dehydrated". You could be dealing with a damaged skin barrier.

What is skin barrier anyway?

Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin. It’s like a protective wall that keeps moisture in and blocks out pollutants and bacteria.

When your barrier is healthy, your skin feels smooth and hydrated. But when it’s damaged, it starts to lose those ceramides and moisture-binding substances your skin needs to stay balanced.

So, what causes skin barrier damage?

Sometimes it’s something obvious. Many of us without realizing overdo things in the name of "skincare", from:

• Over-cleansing or washing with hot water

• Using harsh or alkaline soaps

• Too many active ingredients (AHA, BHA, retinol, acne treatments)

• Scrubbing your skin too roughly

• Sun exposure without protection

• Environmental stress (pollution, dry air)

• Stress and lack of sleep

• Even fragrance in skincare

We've all been there, right? But here’s the good news: your skin barrier can heal, and these small changes can make a big difference! 

Here’s where you can start:

1. Use lukewarm water

Hot showers might feel relaxing, but they strip away natural oils. Switch to lukewarm water to help your skin retain its moisture.

2. Choose a gentle cleanser

Avoid the "foamy heavily fragranced" face washes. Look for one that respects your skin’s natural pH and doesn’t leave you with that tight, squeaky-clean feeling.

3. Ditch the scrubs and exfoliate with care

Physical scrubs can create micro-tears on already delicate skin. A gentle exfoliant once or twice a week is enough to keep skin smooth without doing more harm.

4. Don’t overload on "actives"

Yes, actives work, but layering them all at once can be too much. Try using them on seperate times, like: exfoliants in the morning, retinol at night, and always follow with moisturiser.

5. Go fragrance-free (for now)

Fragrance synthetic can irritate your skin barrier. Stick with fragrance-free products until your skin feels stable again.

6. Wear sunscreen every day

The sun is one of the biggest threats to your skin barrier. Even on cloudy days, using sunscreen helps protect and support skin repair.

7. Be gentle with your body care too

Your face isn’t the only area affected. Harsh body washes and soaps can strip your arms, legs, and hands too.

So, shoose something made with skin-loving, hydrating ingredients, like organic shea butter and plant oils. 

Wavertree & London soaps are a great place to start: natural, nourishing, and free of harsh detergents. They cleanse without stripping, so your skin feels soft.

Final Reminder For You

Remember that healing your skin barrier isn’t a one-night miracle. It’s a process and you need to be consistent with it. 

Go gently. Simplify the skin care routine as less as you can. And trust your skin to recover when you give it the space to do so.

Soft skin starts here.