February 27, 2025
6 min read
Skin, our body's largest organ, serves as a protective barrier against external aggressors to maintain hydration and healthy function. When this barrier is compromised, it can lead to various dermatological issues, including dryness, inflammation, and susceptibility to infections. If you have an inkling that your skin’s barrier may be damaged, don’t fret! Barrier repair may sound complicated, but can be easily achieved by implementing the right ingredients, nourishing face oils and going back to a gentle, non-complicated skincare routine.
WHAT IS A SKIN BARRIER AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
Our skin is roughly divided into 3 layers:
- The Epidermis (outer top layer)
- The Dermis (deeper layer)
- They Hypodermis (subcutaneous tissues)
Our skin’s barrier is the Epidermis and contains important outer skin cells called ‘squames’ which are made almost entirely of a hard protein called keratin. These skin cells form a protective shield for the living cells beneath them which house important functions such as vessels, nerve endings, sweat and sebaceous glands.
Put simply, our skin’s barrier keeps good things in, bad things out and is essential for a balanced, healthy complexion.
Our skin performs so many important functions such as regulating body temperature, sweating out waste products, and producing sebum to naturally moisturise and ‘waterproof’ your skin. We really do take it for granted! Our deeper cells are made up of around 80% water and our skin’s barrier provides environmental protection to prevent our bodies from drying out. If our skin’s barrier is compromised it can lead to a long list of problems including:
- Dry/dehydrated skin
- Sensitive skin
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Acne
Strengthening and protecting your skin’s barrier will assist with maintaining hydration, supporting age defence and contribute to the overall health and appearance of your skin.
HOW TO IDENTIFY IF YOUR SKIN BARRIER IS DAMAGED
When your skin’s barrier is compromised it can show in a variety of ways. It’s important to recognise changes in your complexion so that you can start the healing and protecting process ASAP. Some warning signs that your barrier is damaged may include:
- Dry, rough or flaky skin
- Itchy skin
- Skin sensitivity to products that you would usually have no reaction to
- A change in oiliness
- Acne
- Bacterial and fungal skin infections
So, how do we prevent and repair our skin’s barrier?
Ditch the harsh skincare products
If you’ve noticed sudden changes to your skin such as flaking, dryness and discomfort, you’ve most likely got yourself a barrier problem. Removing harsh skincare products immediately is particularly important to prevent any further damage and irritation. Products designed for deep cleansing, exfoliation or accelerating skin turnover should be set aside until you start to see some serious improvement.
Alcohol, fragrances and strong acids such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid can disrupt the skin barrier and cause further damage, so anything containing these types of ingredients should be avoided.
Invest in gentle products
Once you’ve removed harsh cleansers and exfoliants it’s time to implement a gentle skincare routine containing hydrating and nourishing products exclusively. Soap and fragrance free cleansers are a great place to start, finishing with nourishing oils and moisturisers to boost and lock hydration into the skin.
Go back to basics
A minimal routine to ease irritation should include a gentle cleanser, nourishing moisturiser, barrier loving oils and SPF during the day. Serums and anything containing actives should take a backseat for the foreseeable future.
You need Fats (both inside & out)
Fatty acids make up a large portion of the skin’s barrier to protect from dehydration, irritants and infection. Fatty acids also affect the microbiome of the skin which when out of balance can lead to problems such as acne and eczema.
Looking for Fatty Acids in your skincare is a great place to start and can be found in ingredients such as:
- Chia Seed Oil
- Macadamia Oil
- Raspberry Seed Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Shea Butter
- Sandalwood Seed Oil
You can also support your skin’s barrier health by eating a diet full of “healthy fat” foods such as salmon, avocado, almonds, chia seeds, flax seeds and keeping skin hydrated with plenty of water intake.
FACE OILS FOR BARRIER REPAIR
The outermost layer of our skin consists of layers of dead skin cells and our skin’s natural fats (lipids), so it makes sense to introduce lipid supporting products that mimic our skin’s own barrier. Face oils keep your barrier moisturised and prevent trans epidermal water loss.
Moisturisers are also really important, however as they are typically water based, they easily absorb into the skin and quickly evaporate. If your barrier is compromised, you need moisture on the skin that’s going to stick around. Face oils are an ideal choice for preventing moisture loss as they lock moisture into the skin for deeper, long-lasting hydration.
For barrier repair, we recommend pairing one of our nourishing Face Oils with LAMAV’s Hyaluronic Moisture Cream to boost hydration prior to locking all the goodness in with your chosen face oil.
If you’re yet to introduce a face oil into your routine in fear that it will create an oily complexion, let us set the record straight for you. Believe it or not, face oils have the ability to support overall skin health for all skin types and treat a variety of skin concerns with scientifically proven results. Yes, even those of you with oily or acne prone skin can benefit from the right face oil! You just need to choose the right one…
LAMAV’s Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 Antioxidant Oil
Our top pick for barrier repair, this luxurious face oil is packed full of barrier loving ingredients to repair your lipid barrier for increased dermal strength, ensuring long-lasting hydration. Antioxidant bursting CoEnzyme Q10 neutralises and prevents damage cause by oxidative stress while Chia Seed Oil delivers on the omegas to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. The addition of Bisabolol provides calming relief to sooth irritated skin, while Sandalwood Seed Oil helps to strengthen barrier health through its complex profile of omega essential fatty acids.
If you’re looking for something a little more lightweight that still delivers on barrier support, you can reach for our Vitamin A Repair Oil or Vitamin C Brightening Oil.
Vitamin A Repair Oil
Don’t let the name scare you. As mentioned earlier, harsh active ingredients such as Retinol or Vitamin A are a big no-no when you have an impaired barrier. LAMAV’s Vitamin A Repair Oil is based on the skin-loving, plant derived Bakuchiol. Bakuchiol has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to support skin health for years, and although it’s often marketed as nature’s alternative to Retinol, it does so much more than reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Bakuchiol’s rich antioxidant profile helps to brighten and rejuvenate skin, while strengthening the skin’s extracellular matrix and providing anti-inflammatory relief. In addition to Bakuchiol, your skin will also thank you for the nourishing hit of Raspberry, Argan and Baobab Oils to deliver essential fatty acids, deep hydration and anti-inflammatory support without clogging your pores.
Vitamin C Brightening Oil
This light and bright bio-active oil will restore the skin’s delicate lipid barrier without the heaviness. Containing 10% Vitamin C to support healthy skin function, you’ll achieve hydration with antioxidant protection. The inclusion of Rosehip oil provides a serious hit of essential fatty acids, along with Vitamin A and C, both vital for the maintenance of normal, healthy skin and collagen production. Your sensitive skin will also enjoy the benefits of pomegranate, camellia and macadamia oils to replenish essential skin lipids, providing comfort and repair.
A strong skin barrier is essential for maintaining healthy, resilient skin. By understanding the factors that influence barrier function and implementing gentle and nourishing skincare strategies, you can quickly get your barrier health back on track.
