Sown Harvest Blog

If you’ve ever spent too much time in the sun without sunscreen or suffered from sensitive skin due to allergies or another cause, you’ve likely dealt with a damaged skin barrier at some point in your life. A damaged skin barrier might contribute to dry skin and other moisture-related conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

A healthy skin barrier, on the other hand, is the first line of defense against water loss, which can cause your skin to crack, itch, and generally feel dull and dehydrated. However, repairing a damaged skin barrier isn’t tricky, but it does require patience and consistency.

What is Skin Barrier and Why is it So Important?

The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of skin, often referred to as the ‘moisture barrier’ or ‘skin barrier.’ It is a layer of dead cells that effectively serves as a protective barrier against water loss and harmful elements. The moisture barrier works by preventing trans-epidermal water loss, or in other words, the evaporation of water from the surface of your skin.

Over-washing, over-exfoliating, and piling on active ingredients can strip away moisture and damage this protective layer. What most people don’t realize is this not only makes skin more susceptible to outside irritants but also accelerates aging. So make sure you use gentle products such as the Cucumber Moisturizer gel by Sunshine Farm, which is enriched with therapeutic grade ingredients that soften skin, renew cells, and replenish dry skin.

Signs Your Skin Barrier Might Be Damaged

Did you know that some skin conditions may actually be caused by an underlying issue with your skin barrier? Dry, flaky skin and eczema patches are two of the most common signs that your skin barrier is not performing up to par. Dull or rough skin can also allide that your skin barrier is damaged. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as unexplained breakouts or acne flare-ups and stinging when skincare products are applied.

How Can You Repair a Compromised Moisture Barrier?

Use a Gentle Cleanser

A gentle, pH-balanced cleanser will ensure your skin stays hydrated while removing residue and bacteria that can worsen a damaged moisture barrier. Cleansers with a low pH are especially effective at making sure you won’t irritate your skin while cleansing.

Do Not Skip the Moisturizer

Moisturizing is the most important factor in restoring your skin barrier function; it keeps the surface of your skin supple so that its natural protective qualities are maintained. Moisturizers are filled with emollients, which soften the skin and help restore and retain its natural oils. If you have a compromised skin barrier, our Morning Gel Facial Moisturizer is what your skin deserves as it provides anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and healing properties to feed your face.

Wear SPF Every Day

Excessive sun exposure can damage your moisture barrier, making your skin dry and itchy, so make sure that you do not skip sun protection. For optimal protection, apply at least 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating to ensure that you’re sufficiently covered.

Now that you know that the secret to youthful, glowing skin is a healthy moisture barrier, it’s time you up your skincare game! To ace the arduous task of maintaining the uppermost layer of your skin: the skin barrier, make sure you choose the right skincare products. Check out our wide range of skincare products that help you replenish your skin from within.