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How to repair a damaged skin barrier

Is your skin dry, tight, and irritated? Let’s talk about how to repair a damaged skin barrier.

What exactly is the skin barrier (and how does it work)?

In simplest terms, the skin barrier is responsible for how your skin looks and feels and it has two main roles; to keep the good things in, and the bad things out.

It’s a protective shield on the outermost layers of your skin, made from cells and lipids, that works really hard every day to protect your skin. It regulates water levels, keeps essential moisture in, and protects the skin from environmental aggressors, inflammation, irritation, etc. Basically, it’s super important 🙂

What does it feel like when your skin barrier is damaged?

When your skin barrier is damaged, it can feel irritated and dehydrated, red and hot, or generally inflamed. It might feel sore and tight, or dry and sensitive to the touch – or it could be a combination of these things.

A damaged skin barrier can happen for many reasons, but the most common causes are over-exfoliation of the skin (it happens to the best of us!), stress, hormonal fluctuations, lack of sleep, a reaction to a new product or a combination of products, wearing a mask all day, or using a cleanser that’s too stripping or drying.

 

How To Repair A Damaged Skin Barrier | Simone Scribes

How can you repair your damaged skin barrier?

Completely pair back your routine. And when I say pair back, we’re talking two to three products maximum. A very gentle cleanser, a repairing/hydrating serum, and a barrier-repairing moisturiser – morning and night.

Remove Vitamin C from your routine, any exfoliating acids and retinol (along with any product(s) that may have caused the damage or irritation) and focus on using products that repair, nourish, soothe and deeply hydrate the skin. Look for products that include ingredients like Ceramides, Squalane, Niacinamide, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid – our skin can never get enough of these and they will work to quickly (and gently) repair, hydrate, and moisturise your skin.

Here are some of my favourite, non-stripping, non-drying, gentle cleansers

 

 

Gentle, repairing, hydrating serums

 

 

Barrier-repairing moisturisers and creams

 

 

Soothing recovery masks

These are particularity great when you need instant relief as they work to immediately soothe and calm the skin.

 

How long does it take to repair a damaged skin barrier?

Depending on your individual skin type and how long your skin barrier has been damaged, it can take anywhere from two to three weeks to three months. If the irritation you’re experiencing is down to a new product, over-exfoliation or wearing a mask, etc. your skin barrier should be shiny and new within two to three weeks.

If the damage is a few months in the works it might take a little longer.

For more deep-dives into skin issues and ingredients, take a look at the Skincare Guides section of my website or follow me on Instagram or Tiktok.

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#HydraTintwithMe @sculptedbyaimee ☀️ Give me #HydraTintwithMe @sculptedbyaimee ☀️ 

Give me a makeup product with over 90% skincare ingredients and I’ll happily pledge my allegiance 😆 

HydraTint is a moisturising, tinted serum packed to the brim with anti-inflammatory, soothing, skin-barrier repairing, hydrating ingredients. It’s perfect for summer, and for ‘no makeup, makeup’ days. 

Sheer coverage, buildable, good-for-your-skin and available in 20 shades. @aimeeconnolly_com does it again 🙌🏻 

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One of my most repurchased products: @caudalie Vin One of my most repurchased products: @caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. 
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How I create big, textured, tousled hair ☝️ How I create big, textured, tousled hair ☝️ 

Step 1. Dry shampoo, disperses evenly throughout the hair. I’m using @amika Perk It Up at the moment. Leave it to sit for a minute, then work in with your fingers. And then brush through.

Step 2. A curling wand. I use @instylerireland. Grab big sections and twist away from the face. For bangs, I like to pull forward and down, and then wave away from the face. Leave hair to cool for a minute or two. 

Step 3. Texture spray. I’m using @lovekmireland Doo Over here. Lift sections of the hair and spritz underneath. Don’t spritz on top as this will weigh down and mattify the hair. Do this evenly throughout your hair, and then work in with your fingers. 

Step 4. Root lift. I only ever use @oribe Dry Texturising Spray for this. I’ve never found anything as good as it. Again, lift up sections of hair (but only at the root), and spritz underneath. Do this evenly.m throughout - about three sections on each side of the head. Then spend a good minute working in with your fingers. 

And there you have it. Big textured, tousled hair 👋

#hairroutine #hairreel #hairreels #myhairroutine #haircareroutine
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May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and National Su May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and National Sunscreen Day is on May 27th, so let’s talk about sunscreen 🧴 

☀️ Wearing sunscreen every day is the single best thing you can do for your skin. It’s the BEST anti-aging ingredient on the market.

☀️ Broad spectrum sunscreen reduces your chances of sunburn, of developing fine lines and wrinkles and pigmentation. It also gives your skin the opportunity to repair itself from damage that has previously occurred.

☀️ The way to get the stated SPF protection level on the bottle is by applying two milligrams of sunscreen per centimeter squared. That’s a solid amount of sunscreen. Make sure you’re applying a good dollop; a handful; at least a two finger amount. 

☀️ Apply liberally to your face, neck, chest, backs of your hands and your ears (and any other exposed skin!). 

☀️ Always use a standalone SPF. Using moisturiser or foundation with SPF is no good. The amount you put on your face will not give you sufficient coverage.

☀️ There are so many great sunscreens on the market, but the best one for you is the one you’ll actually use every day. Find one you love, one that feels good on your skin and works well under makeup, and stick with it. 

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What are you planning to try? 

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#AD #iworkwithprimark #psskincare #primarkbeauty @primark.beauty #comingshoppingwithme #skincarereel #skincarereels
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