It’s highly likely that you’ve heard the term skin barrier before, but do you really know what it means? If you struggle with sensitive skin, dryness, or skin allergies, there’s a good chance your skin barrier is damaged – and you may be searching for ways to repair it.

What is the skin barrier?

The skin barrier, also known as the outermost layer of your skin, plays a crucial role in your overall skin health. Its main job is to keep the good stuff in (like hydration) and the bad stuff out (like pollutants, UV rays, and bacteria).

The skin barrier has three essential functions:

• Protection – defends against UV radiation, pollution, and dirt
• Hydration – locks in moisture to prevent dryness
• Nourishment – helps transport essential nutrients to your skin

Signs of a healthy vs damaged skin barrier

• Healthy skin barrier: smooth, soft, hydrated, and generally unnoticeable.
• Damaged skin barrier: often looks and feels sensitive, red, itchy, dry, or flaky. It may also be more prone to irritation, small cuts, or infections.

Can a damaged skin barrier cause sensitive skin?

Yes – a compromised barrier can make your skin more reactive. However, sensitivity can also be triggered by genetics, stress, hormone changes, or environmental factors. Often, these triggers show up as signs of a weakened skin barrier.

How to support a healthy skin barrier

The good news is there are simple steps you can take to repair and protect your skin barrier:

• Stay hydrated – drinking enough water helps your skin maintain moisture.
• Avoid potential triggers – highly active skincare (such as retinol, strong acids, or high-dose niacinamide), as well as synthetic fragrances and essential oils, can be irritating for sensitive skin.
• Don’t overdo cleansing or exfoliating – washing once a day is often enough. Over-washing strips your skin of protective oils.
• Choose barrier-friendly ingredients – natural protectors like beeswax and humectants such as New Zealand Manuka Honey help restore and strengthen your skin barrier.