When it comes to killing your skincare game, knowledge is power. The more you know about how your precious skin is built, the better you can be at caring for it. Not to mention, the easier it is to determine which skincare products you should be clicking add to cart on. Plus, not only will having this intel make your cute face glow, but it will also keep it healthy, too.

In this one, we’re diving deep into how to care for your skin barrier. From what exactly this crucial barrier is to the best products you can use to protect it, this is one “how to” blog you’ll want to forward to all your besties. Keep reading to find out just how you can fix your skin barrier, like a beauty pro. 

What exactly is your skin barrier?

Simply put, you can think of your skin as a very complex (and preferably soft) onion. We know, not the best visual – but hear us out! This is because your skin is composed of multiple layers. What is often referred to as your “skin barrier” is the outermost layer that boasts some very tough skin cells. These bad boys are made up of cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids.

Your skin barrier. also known as the stratum corneum (say that three times fast), protects you from all the harmful toxins and environmental factors you are exposed to every day. It also ensures that your body keeps hydrated because without it, water would completely escape from it. Pretty wild, right? Suffice it to say, your skin barrier keeps you alive and protected from all the things you can definitely live without. Therefore when it comes to caring for it, you should never cut corners, girlfriend.

What you can do to protect your skin barrier, right now.

Before we get into the life-changing products you can use to preserve your skin barrier, we have to brush you up on how the environment around you affects this part of your body, too.

There are several factors that can influence how healthy your skin barrier is no matter how often you throw on that moisturizer. Things like dry or too humid air, excessive sun exposure, contact with harsh chemicals, and stress can all affect the health of that dear stratum corneum. You can usually tell your skin barrier is being negatively affected if you’re experiencing anything from itchiness to acne. Some girls will even suffer from discolored patches bacterial infections due to this type of damage.

Essentially, if you notice anything funky going on with your skin, there could be a chance that its barrier is being messed with.

The products you’ll want in your corner for a healthy skin barrier – for life.

A Go-To Facial Oil

When it comes to supporting your skin barrier, nothing works quite as well as plant-based oils. Not only are these natural ingredients safer for you, but they also contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that give that barrier a helpful boost. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, argan oil, and sunflower oil are all excellent essential oils to add to your skincare routine if you’re looking to prioritize your stratum corneum. All of these ingredients contain moisturizing properties and antioxidants that all contribute to toughening up that barrier, too. Convinced you need to add one of these beauties to your daily beauty ritual? Good. We’ve got just the options you need, below.

BBE’s Glowing & Radiant facial oil contains a stellar lineup of plant-based ingredients that make caring for your skin barrier a cinch. We packed this luxurious facial product with lavender oil, calendula oil, and of course some of that antioxidant rich jojoba and argan oil we just mentioned above.

And if you’re looking for a facial oil that will help you keep breakouts at bay, we’ve got you covered there, too. BBE’s Balance & Restore facial oil is another easy to use option that contains rosemary extract, a serious acne fighter that reduces redness and boasts serious anti-inflammatory properties.

You can apply any of these luxurious oils as a finishing touch to your skincare routine. A little bit goes a long way, and you’ll be amazed at how much more hydrated your skin feels after using a facial oil on the regular. Lately, we’ve been loving the “slugging trend” of using a generous amount of facial oil before bed to wake up glowing and to give some extra love to our skin barriers, too.

Hyaluronic Acid e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g

Just in case we needed yet another reason to love this hydrating powerhouse, hyaluronic acid saves the day (yet again) when it comes to protecting your skin barrier. Not only is this ingredient safe for sensitive beauties, it is also incredibly effective at strengthening your stratum corneum. Using a serum and/or moisturizer that is packed with natural moisturizing factors like hyaluronic acid will reduce the amount of water loss your skin experiences throughout the day. What’s more, it will help your skin barrier protect you against those pesky free radicals and environmental harms we mentioned earlier.

Lucky for you sis, BBE has the ultimate line of hyaluronic acid products that will take your skincare game to the next level. From toner to moisturizer, adding these into your routine will keep your skin plump and your barrier strong – we promise!

Nourishing and pH Balanced Cleansers

You may have heard about harsh chemicals stripping your skin of moisture, thus damaging your natural skin barrier. Unfortunately, this is a cruel reality when it comes to cleansing and it’s also why you should be *super* choosy when it comes to selecting a facial cleanser. Think of it this way: using a cleanser that is loaded with drying ingredients is only going to deplete your skin of the moisture it needs and damage that stratum corneum.

Instead, reach for a facial cleanser that is gentle and that will never strip your skin. A good rule of thumb when it comes to cleansing your face is to assess whether it feels tight afterwards. Typically, this is an easy indication that the product you’re using is too harsh on your barrier. BBE’s cleansers are ultra-nourishing and guaranteed to never irritate you. For real, we mean it.

We’re not quite done yet though. The skin protecting goodness shouldn’t stop at your face. No one likes to experience dry flaky skin on the rest of their body, either (especially during those cold winter months!). So when it comes to curating a shower routine that will preserve the skin all over you, reach for a body wash that is also pH balanced and that contains no harsh bad guys that are out to get your skin barrier!

SPF, SPF, and more SPF.

We weren’t kidding when we told you how harmful the environment can be to your skin barrier, girlfriend. And the sun? Well, it doesn’t play when it comes to breaking down that outer layer that works so hard to protect you. That being said, using SPF on the regular isn’t only important for preventing wrinkles and dark spots. It is crucial to also protecting your stratum corneum.

We recommend using a lightweight SPF every single morning as part of your beauty regimen. Or, (if you like to glam up most days) reach for a tinted moisturizer that contains sun protection instead of your regular foundation. Using SPF daily will make a *huge* difference when it comes to the proper maintenance of your skin barrier and will have you looking youthful for years to come. Talk about a win-win, right?

And when it comes to preserving the skin on your body, the same vital rule applies. If you plan on basking in the sun, never forget to apply and re-apply that SPF, beauty. Whether you spritz it, slather it on, or do both – protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays is essential to having healthy skin for life.

When it comes to protecting your skin barrier, less is more.

We know how fascinating it can be to learn about the intricacies of skincare. I mean, we do this for a living around here! However, when it comes to your skin barrier, you shouldn’t feel the need to get carried away with product application. Having a few efficient yet natural gems on hand is all you really need to make your daily routine a healthy one for your skin and body. Plus, it ensures that you won’t be causing any irritation or damage by using harmful chemicals on that cute face of yours.

If you’re curious about what a simple, effective skin barrier protecting routine looks like, look no further! Check out this easy peasy 4 step routine, below.  

BBE's Skin Barrier Protecting Routine

Step 1: Reach for your cleanser of choice. One pump or a dime sized amount of the product is all you need to get those pores squeaky clean without compromising that precious barrier. Once you’ve finished cleansing, always gently pat your skin dry.

Step 2: Spritz on a toner that is hydrating instead of drying. We know how tempting it can be to use harsh drying agents when you’re suffering from a breakout, but these guys do cause damage in the long run. Instead, opt for something that does it all without compromising your skin barrier. You know, something like our hyaluronic acid option, right here.

Step 3: Follow up with serum and/or moisturizer. If you’re on the dryer side, using a serum first will go a long way in quenching your skin and getting that moisture barrier back on track. After that, a bit of moisturizer will sink right into your skin!

Step 4: Last but not least, if you want to keep your skin barrier in check and make it stronger than ever, never skip your facial oil!

Parting words…

You only get one skin barrier, sis. Which is why you should make protecting and preserving it a priority on the daily. Fortunately, doing so isn’t hard and doesn’t have to be complicated. Be aware of environmental stressors around you that can affect the health of your skin, use products that favor a strong barrier, and relax. Your skin and body will naturally (and incredibly) take care of the rest.

Carey <3