Dry Skin and Your Skin Barrier: What It Means and How to Fix It

Our skin is our largest organ, and like all of the other organs in our body, it needs protection.

The skin barrier protects our skin, and therefore the rest of our body, from outside irritants like UV rays, pollutants, bacteria, and dirt. The skin barrier is your body’s first line of defense against the external environment. 

Your skin is made up of layers, and the skin barrier is your outermost layer, also called the stratum corneum. This stratum corneum is made up of dead skin cells that are bound together by lipids, like fatty acids, and ceramides. 

When our skin barrier is healthy, the skin cells fit tightly together, creating a protective shield that not only keeps the external environment out, but it also supports your inner environment by retaining essential moisture and hydration. This results in skin that looks smooth, soft, vibrant, and youthful.

On the other hand, when your skin barrier is damaged, the skin become cracked or inflamed which causes breaks in the skin's protective layer, making it more susceptible to irritation and distress.

Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is essential for keeping your skin resilient and strong.

Itchy, flaky, or tight skin isn’t just a seasonal inconvenience; it’s often tied to the health of your skin barrier. Water is always evaporating from our body, but if your skin barrier is damaged, the water evaporation is accelerated, leading to increased dehydration and triggering skin vulnerability.

If you've noticed your skin feels drier in winter and more sensitive in summer, it’s because your skin barrier is highly influenced by seasonal changes and its interaction with the environment.

Winter Season: Cold air holds less moisture, meaning your skin is losing more water during the dry, cold months of winter. Winter winds, hot water, and indoor heating are all known to strip your skin of its natural oils and disrupt your skin barrier’s balance. Snow and ice also reflect UV rays, which, combined with the tendency to not apply SPF when it’s cold or cloudy, also contribute to dry, damaged winter skin.

Summer Season:  In the summer we tend to spend more time outside, which means more time that our skin is in the sun. During these months, the sun is stronger and UV rays are more excessive, which can make our skin red and sensitive if you get too much exposure. More time outside also means more time in pollution which is harmful to the skin barrier. Hot arid climates and even too much humidity can also throw off your skin barrier’s natural balance.

These environmental fluctuations, combined with certain habits or factors you might not even realize, can significantly weaken your skin’s natural defenses.

• Foaming cleanser: The suds from foaming cleansers come from harsh sulfates that strip your skin of its natural oils and disrupt your pH balance
• Over-exfoliation or over-washing: This harmful skincare habit can lead to excessive dryness that weakens the skin barrier.
• Abrasive exfoliants: Harsh exfoliants cause damage to the stratum corneum, creating microtears in the tightly bound cell wall that allow irritants to enter.
• Detergents and soaps: Anything that touches your skin interacts with your skin barrier, which is why certain chemical ingredients in your household products may lead to a reaction.
• Stress: Cortisol levels reduce the production of natural lipids and ceramides which are key components of a healthy skin barrier.
• Genetic skin conditions: Certain individuals may be predisposed to a more sensitive skin barrier due to family history.
  
  

When your skin barrier is weakened, it shows signs of dryness and dehydration, and becomes more vulnerable to external irritants. If irritants enter your skin barrier, it can cause distress and unhealthy responses that show up in your skin.

Signs of a Distressed Skin Barrier:

• Uneven texture or rough patches
• Breaks in the skin, like cracks, flakiness, peeling
• Redness, rashes or blotchiness
• Raw, chapped skin 
• Increased sensitivity and high reactivity
• Stinging or burning, especially when applying products
• Itchiness or discomfort
• Breakouts, inflammation, or acne
• Delayed healing

All of these responses are signs of a disturbed skin barrier, and if your skin barrier is compromised and left untreated, it leaves your body at risk for more serious issues like infection or illness.

Your skin barrier health is crucial, and it is important to keep it strong and resilient.

By prioritizing these skin health practices, you protect your body from environmental stressors, retain essential moisture, and ensure your skin looks smooth and feels its best, no matter the season.

Ceramides and lipids make up a significant portion of the skin barrier and help “glue” skin cells together, maintaining a strong, cohesive barrier that locks in moisture. Look for products like Enrich that are rich in lipids and ceramides for a strong, supple skin barrier.

Ingredients like Retinol, Bakuchiol, and Niacinamide help promote healthy cell turnover. This prevents build up of dry, damaged cells that could disrupt the integrity and function of the skin barrier. By encouraging the regular shedding of old skin cells you maintain a smooth, even texture and a more resilient, hydrated, and glowing complexion.

Avoid overwhelming your skin with too many products, especially if your skin is already dry or sensitive. Focus on a streamlined, targeted approach: a gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum, a multifunctional moisturizer, and daily sunscreen. If your skin barrier is compromised, scale back on exfoliation and opt for rich, barrier-repairing balm.

It is important to use a daily skincare routine that reinforces the skin barrier’s optimal functioning. Antioxidants defend your skin barrier against UV rays and support skin repair overnight. Daily application of hydrating and protective ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid/Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalene, Aloe, and Peptides allow it to function naturally and retain moisture more effectively.

Exfoliation is key to preventing rough patches from building on your skin barrier and disrupting its defenses. But, limit exfoliation to a few times a week with gentle, non-abrasive exfoliation products to prevent damage to your skin’s surface. Avoid over-exfoliation, which can significantly weaken the barrier.

You don’t want to over wash your face, because this can strip your skin of its natural oils, drying it out. Similarly, you don’t want to use harsh foaming cleansers which will also disrupt your skin’s natural moisture. Use gentle cleansers that maintain your skin’s pH balance, like Rinse Daily Cleanser.

Moisture refers to the amount of oil in your skin, and applying plant-based oils is a natural way to replenish and nurture it while soothing your skin barrier. Using a product like Enrich overnight allows its nourishing plant oils to create a protective layer on your skin, locking in moisture and fortifying the skin barrier—all without the greasy residue of petroleum or mineral oils.

Sun is one of the leading causes of skin barrier damage. While it’s obvious when you skip sunscreen in the summer and get red and inflamed skin, applying sunscreen in the winter is less obvious. However, making sure you protect yourself from the UV rays that can penetrate clouds, bounce off the snow, and negatively impact your overly dry skin is crucial.

Eating foods rich in collagen, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants can help strengthen the skin barrier to prevent it from damage while also speeding up repair. Hydration is also key to supporting skin barrier functioning. 

Hot water may feel soothing or enticing when it's cold, but it can strip your skin of natural oils and weaken the skin barrier, leading to increased dryness and sensitivity. Opt for lukewarm water when cleansing or bathing to protect your skin’s moisture levels and maintain a healthy, resilient barrier.

Your skin barrier is much more than a protective shield—it’s the foundation of healthy, glowing skin. By understanding the factors that affect it and incorporating the right ingredients and habits into your routine, you can strengthen your barrier, retain essential hydration, and prevent future damage.