We all want that glowing, smooth skin that's Instagram-worthy, right? Unfortunately, the journey to flawless skin can be everything but straightforward. The skin barrier is like your skin's personal bodyguard, keeping out bacteria and locking in moisture. When it's damaged, increased breakouts, dryness and irritation arise. While the skin is naturally adept at staying strong, some common, modern behaviors take our barrier off the clock and leave us vulnerable. Here's how to sidestep mindless mistakes that negatively impact the barrier and keep us from glazed donut skin.

What Keeps A Skin Barrier Functioning

A robust skin barrier relies on several key components working harmoniously. First, there are lipids, which include ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. These are like the glue holding your skin cells together, preventing water from escaping and irritants from sneaking in. Next, natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) like urea and amino acids draw moisture from the environment into your skin. They're like little sponges, keeping your skin supple and bouncy. Then, there's the acid mantle, a thin, protective layer on your skin's surface with a slightly acidic pH that fends off harmful bacteria and pollutants.

 

When any of these elements are out of whack, the skin barrier becomes compromised, leading to dryness, irritation, or breakouts. Staying vigilant about managing imbalance is the cornerstone of any, gold star skincare routine.

Common Mistakes That Damage the Skin Barrier

Over Exfoliation

While exfoliating can give you that coveted glow, doing it too often strips away essential oils and damages the protective layer. Exfoliating accelerates the life cycle of your skin cells, jump-starting healing and encouraging dead, dull and abnormally pigmented cells to slough off. Depending on the exfoliating ingredient, this process can impact oil production and the skin barrier — exacerbating dryness. Be strategic with exfoliation and reserve it for 2-3x a week to avoid adverse side effects.

Using The Wrong Skincare

We aren't in the business of vilifying any particular skincare product. There is always something that will work for someone. However, understanding what your skin needs and how often is the key to stumbling into barrier damage. Cleansers that leave you feeling squeaky clean or alcohol-based products that deliver a cooling sensation can be sensorially pleasant, but will ultimately lead to barrier damage if used regularly. Think of your heavier-duty cleansers like clarifying shampoos — they are only needed a few times a month. And while alcohol in skincare can help ingredients penetrate more deeply, it does so by temporarily disrupting the skin barrier.

 

Pay attention to how your skin feels after using certain products, and don't be fooled by immediate gratification.

Bacteria In Sneaky Places

Unwashed pillowcases, dirty phones, gym equipment and yoga mats are all hiding places for barrier-damaging bacteria that we rarely consider. Make those slip-through-the-cracks chores like wiping down headphones and swapping sheets weekly occurrences to decrease the chance of unexpected disruption.

Braving The Cold Unprotected

Cold temperatures and harsh winds will pull the moisture from your skin and turn up the inflammation. Foregoing protective accessories like scarves and hats when it gets chilly might make for a better outfit but puts your skin at risk. Invest is skin barrier fashionable to keep the winter chap at bay.