Your skin suddenly feels tight, sore, or looks red — and no amount of moisturising seems to help. Chances are, your skin barrier is damaged.

Don’t panic – it happens to all of us at some point! Maybe your beautician has gone hard on exfoliating acids, or you’ve jumped on the latest retinol trend. Either way, your skin’s protective barrier is waving the red flag. The good news? With the right care, you can repair your skin barrier — often faster than you think.

Here are a few simple tips to get your skin barrier back to health:

1. Stop the acids (just for now)

If your skin feels hot, stings, or flakes, it’s time to hit pause on exfoliating acids like AHAs and BHAs. They’re fantastic when your skin is healthy, but when your barrier is compromised, they can make irritation worse.

2. Take a break from retinoids

Retinoids are amazing for smoothing fine lines, but they’re very active ingredients. When your barrier is damaged, switch your focus to calming and barrier-strengthening ingredients instead.

3. Moisturise (and then moisturise again)

When your skin barrier is damaged, it needs a protective yet breathable layer to heal.
Our Bees Brilliance Healing Hand & Body Lotion is a fantastic option — fragrance-free and made with New Zealand beeswax, which acts like a natural shield on the skin. It helps lock in moisture while still letting your skin breathe — the perfect balance for barrier repair.

4. Be gentle (and patient)

Skip the hot showers, harsh cleansers, and constant washing. Your skin needs hydration, rest, and time. Be patient — most barriers bounce back in a week or two if you give them the right care.

Why repairing your skin barrier matters

Your skin is your largest organ — and it does a big job protecting everything underneath. A strong skin barrier helps lock in hydration, keeps irritants out, and makes your skin look and feel its best.

So next time your skin sends out an SOS, remember this simple PAG Guide:

🐝 The PAG Guide to Skin SOS:

P – Pause the actives
Give your skin a breather from acids and retinoids.

A – Apply your moisturiser
Reach for barrier-loving ingredients like beeswax and manuka honey.

G – Go gentle
Be kind to your skin — avoid heat, harsh products, and overwashing.

Your skin will thank you for it.
And when in doubt, keep a bottle of Bees Brilliance Healing Hand & Body Lotion nearby — your skin’s best friend for barrier repair.