5 beauty products that help repair your skin barrier

Our skin is made of several layers, and the outermost layer is the skin barrier which acts like a thin but strong wall to protect you from external toxins and harmful pathogens. It also ensures you don’t get dehydrated. The skin barrier is more than what makes you look pretty (by preventing acne and other issues)—it is practically playing a big role in keeping you alive.

Now that we have established just how important this layer is, it is time to understand what damages it. From pollution, stress, and sun exposure to over-exfoliation, there are many things that can weaken your skin barrier. Thankfully, after being overlooked for decades, we are finally realising that repairing our barrier is an absolute necessity.

Below we’ve listed a few products that nourish, repair and protect your natural barrier to help you foster a better relationship with your skin.

d’you in my defence  

Perfect for summer, this lightweight moisturiser acts as the first line of defence for your skin’s barrier. It uses 1% pure ceramides along with your skin’s essential lipids (cholesterol and fatty acids) to increase moisture retention and provides your natural barrier with the ammo it needs to protect itself. It also calms skin redness and irritation and promotes the regeneration of tissues. Talk about being an overachiever! 

₹3,500

Cosrx Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream 

K-beauty has two thumb rules: hydrate and protect the skin barrier at all costs. This ceramide cream from Cosrx follows through on both counts. It is a lightweight moisturiser that soothes agitated skin while balancing and protecting the skin barrier. Formulated with Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Ceramides and Centella Asiatica Medical Grade Extract, it protects the skin against environmental pollutants and moisture loss without leaving behind an icky, sticky residue. 

₹1,950

Dot & Key Barrier Repair Face Cream with Ceramides 

By locking in the moisture and preventing trans-epidermal water loss, this barrier repair face cream by Dot and & Key is the daily use product your morning skincare routine is missing. It is infused with Japanese Rice Water and five essential ceramides that protect the skin, catalyse barrier repair and soothe irritation. It is also fragrance free and colour free which makes it ideal for sensitive skin. 

₹395

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense 72-Hour Lipid Replenishing Hydrator 

Formulated with Hyaluronic acid, activated aloe water, caffeine and Cica, this face gel by Clinique is all about providing skin with constant hydration. It also locks in moisture and strengthens the skin barrier with the help of a lipid trio. If you ever feel like your skin is parched or you need a surge of hydration, this is the product to turn to. 

₹ 1,050

Minimalist Ceramides 0.3% + Madecassoside 

This lightweight moisturising gel by Minimalist keeps your skin healthy and hydrated. Infused with five skin essential Ceramides in high concentration, Madecassoside (an active ingredient of the Centella Asiatic plant) and Ursolic Acid, this product restores and repairs the skin’s barrier and prevents water loss. It’s the summer product you need especially if you have oily/combination skin. 

₹ 589