SUMMER CARE: Ingredients to Heal a Broken Skin Barrier

Stinging, Redness, Irritation, Heated Skin? Yeah, we’ve all been there. 

During the summer we tend to spend more time outdoors and in water, which exposes our skin to excessive heat, pollution, dust, and UV rays. All of these can lead to an increase in sensitivity, inflammation, and cause some of your skincare to do more harm than good. If you have noticed the products in your usual routine have left your skin looking red and feeling irritated. Then in most cases, that means that your skin barrier has been compromised.

Some of the most common causes of a broken skin barrier can be:

• Fragrance
• Sun Exposure
• Over-cleansing
• Over-exfoliation with high percentage actives
• Using an ingredient that doesn't work for you

First, Stop Everything! Yes, you heard right. Stick to the basics for a few days and only use a simple cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Most importantly NO ACTIVES! 

Never heard of actives? That’s okay, we have some blog posts here to get you all caught up.

Rebuilding your skin barrier is the only way to improve hydration, inflammation, and potential damage from other products. After simplifying your routine, slowly incorporate these ingredients to revitalize your skin in no time.

For immediate recovery after intense sun exposure, check out our After-Sun Skincare Routine.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea)

Green Tea is rich in antioxidants and when digested has shown health benefits due to the natural compounds (polyphenols) that can reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage.

When used topically, this ingredient is high in antioxidants which can help fight free radicals, such as sun damage and pollution. Studies have mainly shown that it can reduce sensitivity, cool redness, and even reduce puffiness due to its high levels of caffeine.

Sioris My First Essener

This mix of essence and toner has green tea as its first ingredient, along with mugwort, hyaluronic acid, and rose water to calm down irritated skin. Packed with antioxidants, this will be sure to bring back hydration to the skin.

Panthenol (Vitamin B5)

Panthenol can be found in many formulations and is a humectant that works to maintain the skin barrier and water retention of the skin. Studies show that 1% panthenol quickly increases skin hydration while decreasing transepidermal water loss (the amount of water that evaporates through the skin).

This alcohol derivative of pantothenic acid is unlike denatured alcohol that can dry skin and cause water loss. Instead, this is a gentle non-drying form of alcohol that can attract water and any other products that you put on.

EqualRXN Mushroom B5 Toning Cocktail

This cocktail of nourishing ingredients includes 2% Panthenol, as well as green tea, and three mushroom complex that will work to deeply penetrate the skin. 

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids that makeup 50% of the skin's lipids to form the skin barrier. As this is something found naturally in our skin to hold skin cells together, using it topically can create a barrier over the skin to seal in moisture and protect against outside elements. 

Lower levels of ceramides have been shown to be linked to conditions of acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, which can worsen due to harsh climates, sun exposure, and age. In order to rebuild the barrier, you can add different ceramides to replace the missing lipids of the skin’s barrier.

Real Barrier Extreme Cream

This rich cream acts as a barrier between your skin and the outside elements. With ceramides as the main ingredient, it keeps skin moisturized for up to 72 hours using Real Barrier’s patented multi-lamellar emulsion technology (MLE) to help hydrate and restore the skin barrier.

Tamanu Oil

Mainly used as an emollient, this ingredient is best for those who have dry, dehydrated skin. Rich in antioxidants and moisturization because it is an oil, this ingredient is also anti-inflammatory, which can improve minor acne and scarring.

This ingredient is rich in both oleic and linoleic fatty acids, which gives it powerful moisturizing abilities.

Sioris Deep in a Barrier Cream

This cream will give normal to dry skin the protection it needs to soothe dry, irritated skin. With Tamanu and Macadamia Seed Oil, this cream will be sure to condition skin, while offering calming and clearing properties with the addition of Licorice Root, Centella Asiatica, and Aloe Barbadensis.

Centella Asiatica (Cica, Madagascar Centella)

This anti-inflammatory ingredient is full of amino acids, and antioxidants, and is anti-bacterial that works to not only fight signs of redness but heal broken skin. 

Also known as tiger grass, this ingredient is not only used medicinally to heal broken lesions, but can also increase collagen production, and minimizes signs of wrinkles.

Click here for an in-depth look at this ingredient.

All of these products can work to reduce redness, irritation, and heated skin, and with continuous use can strengthen your skin barrier for the long run. So next time  your skin gets a little too sensitive come back here for all things healing.

Looking for new sunscreens to protect against future damage? Try out sunscreens from our Sun Box!

Sun Box by BAZZAAL BOX