The following is an excerpt from CMPLXN, our educational skincare journal.
When assessing your skin care routine, it is important to consider the health of your moisture barrier. Without a healthy moisture barrier, it will be near impossible to get even, glowing skin.
Signs your moisture barrier is damaged:
- Skin looks irritated/red
- Dry/dehydrated/dull skin
- Unusual breakouts
- Skin may be sensitive to touch or skin care products
What damages a moisture barrier in the first place?
Your moisture barrier aims to maintain a slightly acidic pH at all times. This is key is managing the bacteria on the surface of your skin. When the pH is disrupted, your mantle is broken and your skin can become prone to dryness, infection, and irritation.
Skin care products like cleansers and acids can affect your skin's pH and throw it off balance. Over cleansing or exfoliating too often/with too many products can damage your moisture barrier.
How to repair your moisture barrier?
A key component of repairing your moisture barrier is patience.
For about 3 to 4 weeks, you must simplify your routine to a gentle cleanser, hydrating products, and a good moisturizer. Strip your routine of any acids or exfoliants for at least 4 weeks. For this time, focus on supporting your moisture barrier through moisturizers and hydrating ingredients.
Learn more with CMPLXN, our educational skin care journal.
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