By now, we’re sure you’ve heard of the term “skin barrier” floating all over social media. But what is a skin barrier, and why would you you need to repair it? Well, the first thing you need to know is that everybody has a skin barrier, and it’s your skin’s first line of defence against allergens, external aggressors like stress and UV rays, and irritants like bacteria and dander. Your skin barrier also helps to regulate water loss, which helps to keep your skin hydrated, as well as protect the skin from toxins, irritation, inflammation, and infection.

What Does A Healthy Skin Barrier Look Like?

An undamaged skin barrier is basically healthy skin; luminous, texture-free, hydrated, smooth, elastic, and doesn’t show any signs of irritation like redness, inflammation, bumpiness, or itchiness.

What Happens When The Skin Barrier Is Damaged?

The answer: a lot. When you have a damaged skin barrier, a plethora of problems can happen, like acne, inflammation, dry or itchy skin – maybe even all of the above.

What Are The Signs Of A Damaged Skin Barrier?

Let’s follow up; how can you tell if you have a damaged skin barrier, instead of having one-off problems? A compromised skin barrier may have:

  • Redness
  • Dryness
  • Itchines
  • Flakiness
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Discolouration

You may even experience a burning or painful sensation when you apply skincare products.

What Damages The Skin Barrier?

It can actually be a little challenging to maintain a healthy skin barrier. Here are some things that may compromise your skin barrier:

  • Having a skincare routine that’s too strong for you: You may be using products with active ingredients, like retinol or BHA that are too high, or too often. Using products that are too harsh on the skin can strip your skin of the natural oils that protect your skin.
  • Environmental stressors: Your skin barrier can be compromised by pollution, UV rays, and extreme weather conditions, especially if you’re travelling to a different climate.
  • Over-exfoliation: Over-cleansing the skin can take away too much of the skin’s natural lipid barrier, damaging your skin barrier in the process. Physical exfoliators can also be damaging to the skin, as they may cause micro-tears in the skin, leading to irritation and inflammation.
  • Poor diet: Inflammation can be triggered by excessively consuming processed foods and sugar, leading to skin issues like acne.
  • Lack of sleep: Your skin repairs itself during sleep, so not getting enough sleep can weaken the skin barrier and lead to dryness, irritation, and inflammation.

How Do You Repair Your Skin Barrier?

Don’t worry, the journey to repairing your skin barrier may be a long and rough one, but it’s totally possible. Your skin can repair itself, and here’s how to do it:

  • Simplify your skincare routine: Try to cut out any products with active ingredients and your exfoliants for a while. All you really need is a gentle cleanser, a good moisturiser, and SPF. Maybe throw in a soothing or hydrating serum if you’re feeling wild.
  • Reduce stress and get more sleep: We know this is a toughie, but managing your stress and getting more sleep can do wonders for your skin, trust us.
  • Avoid inflammatory food: Consume less sugar and process foods, and instead, eat more antioxidants, like berries, mushrooms, cruciferous vegetables and green tea, as well as omega-3s, like seafood, nuts and seeds, and eggs.
  • Avoid smoking: Smoking and vaping constricts the blood vessels, which reduces oxygen supply and dries out the skin. Smoking also affects the collagen and elastin levels in your skin, which in turn, creates fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Use skin barrier repairing products: Using the right products can help your skin repair itself faster, and ingredients like ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol and niacinamide can all help to strengthen the skin barrier. Continue on reading to find out the best skin barrier repairing products in Singapore.

Top Skin Barrier Repairing Products in Singapore

1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm 

This product that has been going viral on social media – the one and only La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm. Truly one of the best skin barrier repairing products ever, we don’t understand how we used to live without it. Its secret lies in its unparalleled formula, made with a prebiotic complex to rebalance the skin’s microbiome, panthenol for its soothing and repairing properties, madecassoside that facilitates epidermal renewal, and so many other skin repairing and soothing ingredients.

It helps to heal acne, soothe irritation and redness, and protect the skin from external irritants, making it one of our favourite products ever, period. Pro tip: use a liberal amount as a spot treatment after you’ve applied moisturiser to experience its full effects.

Why we love it:

  • Can be used as a moisturiser, overnight mask, or spot treatment
  • Nourishes, heals, soothes, and protects the skin
  • Can be used on the body, face, and lips

Price: $53.40

Where to buy: Watsons

2. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Intensive Soothing Repair Gel Cream

We love this entire line from Dr. Jart+, but one of our favourite skin barrier repairing products has to be the Cicapair™ Intensive Soothing Repair Gel Cream. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone, and oily, this is one of the best moisturisers to repair your skin barrier. It’s ultra hydrating, yet lightweight, and it’s able to calm any redness and irritation. Plus, you can use this both in the morning and at night, and the way it performs, you’re never going to want to stop using this. It’s free from alcohol, fragrance, oil, paraben, and sulphate, and has niacinamide and peptide to really repair your skin. What more could you ask for?

Why we love it:

  • Suitable for both morning and night
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Clinically proven to repair the skin barrier by +65% in one hour

Price: From $26

Where to buy: Sephora

3. Some by Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Toner

If you’re looking for a soothing yet nourishing toner, the Some by Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Toner will be a great option for you. It’s infused with 73% propolis, which has incredible antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe tired skin and and heal acne. Not only that, this toner is also formulated with panthenol, AKA B5, to moisturise the skin, prevent moisture loss, and strengthen the skin barrier. To really replenish moisture back into the skin, this hero product has trusica, ceramide and hyaluronic acid, in addition to 24K gold, royal jelly, and honey to brighten up the skin.

Why we love it:

  • Antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory
  • Nourishes and brightens the skin
  • Heals acne

Price: $26.71

Where to buy: Shopee

4. Rhode Barrier Restore Cream

We know you’ve heard of Hailey Bieber’s cult-favourite Glazing Milk and lip treatments, but the Rhode Barrier Restore Cream should be in your shopping cart, ASAP. It’s a no-fuss, no-muss moisturiser that’s perfect for irritated or sensitive skin, and it’s even unscented. Just like Rhode’s Peptide Glazing Fluid, the Barrier Repair Cream also contains niacinamide, which does wonders for texture, excess oil, enlarged pores, and acne – it’s basically all you want in a barrier repairing product. In addition to that, this moisturiser is also formulated with other cell repairing ingredients, like peptides, fatty acids, squalane, all which help to improve the skin from deep inside the dermis.

Why we love it:

  • Fragrance-free
  • Lightweight and hydrating
  • Leaves skin looking dewy

Price: $94

Where to buy: Zalora

5. Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm

Seriously, this stuff is packed with skin-repairing ingredients that does the job like no other. Allies of Skin has come out with yet another banger – the Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm. If you’ve got a damaged skin barrier or irritated skin, then the treatment will help to soothe and repair compromised and even post-procedure skin. Thanks to its skin-loving formulation of 2% MossCellTec™, oat protein and ATP, ceramide, pantheno, squalane, and black cumin oil, this unique product rapidly repairs the barrier from deep within, leaving you with healthy, glowing skin.

Why we love it:

  • Suitable for all skin types and post-procedure skin
  • Has an immediate soothing effect
  • Can be used both morning and night

Price: $145

Where to buy: Allies of Skin

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