How to reset your skin barrier (and why it matters)
There’s been so much emphasis in skincare circles in the past decade about ‘getting your glow on.’ All manner of products to scrub and peel and remove the top, dull skin cells. And while we’re all for an occasional light (LIGHT!) buffing to stop cellular build-up, at Beauty Bible we’ve always maintained that maintaining the skin’s barrier function is absolutely crucial.
It’s what stops bacteria and other nasties from getting in. And it’s what helps prevent vital moisture in the skin from evaporating. We have always felt that the skincare pendulum would swing back in the direction of barrier-building, rather than removing its protective layers – and at last, common sense is starting to prevail.
However, we’re a little late to this particular BYOMA party, since it turns out that they declared June to be ‘Skin Barrier Awareness Month’ – and today is the 26th. But better late than never, is our feeling – and hey, it’s still June!
According to this rising star skincare brand (which scooped two awards last Friday at the Cosmetic Executive Women (UK) Awards, one in two consumers report self-inflicted barrier damage from over-exfoliation. And it’s no surprise to us that 71% of those polled identify as having sensitive skin.
So: repairing that barrier means no harsh scrubs. No over-enthusiastic rubbing. Absolutely NO peels. Basically, babying your skin with products designed to rebuild that vital barrier. This is where ceramides help, which are part of BYOMA’s Tri-Ceramide Complex (three parts ceramides, one part cholesterol, one part fatty acids). These are incorporated into all their products, designed to rebuild the barrier, making it less likely that you’ll react. To find out which are right for you, they’ve an online AI tool which even takes into account your geographical location (humidity, UV index etc.), to prescribe your regime. Find it here.
Maybe you’re not up for a whole new regime (although we rate BYOMA highly – and despite the youthful imagery, it’s good for older skins, too). But in any case, if you have sensitive skin, you can still reset it by avoiding acids, retinols (and their kin), scrubs, ensuring skin is richly nourished and protected against UV light, and not chopping and changing products but sticking with the same regime. Try it for a month – don’t worry about missing this ‘official’ month.
Because it’s never too late – and never too early.
Read more about BYOMA Skin Barrier Awareness Month here
