The Best Way to Get Healthy, Resilient Skin
The biggest key to healthy skin isn’t an expensive routine or a silk pillowcase. It’s a healthy moisture barrier! Let’s take a look at the why and how of your healthiest, most resilient skin yet.
What’s a moisture barrier?
Your skin’s moisture barrier consists of the outermost layers of skin. These layers serve as protection and insulation, keeping bad things out and good things in. It’s like the walls of a castle. When damaged, everything is more susceptible to attacks (like acne, irritation, flaky skin, etc).
If you’ve ever noticed that your skin is feeling extra irritated or sensitive, you may have damaged your moisture barrier. It’s super common, so don’t panic! We’ve all been there before. Sunburns, over exfoliating, picking, etc. can all impact it.
A healthy moisture barrier means your skin is better at taking care of itself. We love self-sufficiency!
How do I take care of it?
Taking care of your skin’s moisture barrier is the best way to keep your skin healthy. Here are a few ways to do it.
1. Wear sunscreen.
We’ve all heard it. UV rays damage your skin in a lot of ways, and compromising your skin’s natural protections is one of them. Not only do burns do long-term, invisible damage, they leave your skin dry and flaky while your moisture barrier works to recover.
Pictured: COSrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen
2. Stay hydrated.
It should come as no surprise that a moisture barrier requires hydration. Keeping your skin hydrated from the inside out will always be better than even the best products.
3. Layer hydrating skincare.
While drinking water will make a huge difference, it can’t always do it all. A killer skincare routine will take your skin from good to great. Here are some of my favorite products for layering hydration to build and protect your moisture barrier:
Gentle Cleansers
Too harsh of a cleanser will strip the skin (and your moisture barrier) leaving it feeling tight and dry. Pick a gentle cleanser that nourishes as it cleans.
Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser - Specifically formulated to strengthen and preserve your moisture barrier
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser - The gentlest cleanser I’ve ever tried
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip - Luxury guilty pleasure
Hydrating Layers
Layer on the love! All skin needs hydration after cleansing. If you have dry skin like me, layering products from lightest to heaviest is the best way to introduce long-lasting hydration.
I’m From Mugwort Essence - Soothing, calming formula. Always my first step after cleansing
Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum - My favorite recovery serum for when my skin needs a little love
Farmacy Honey Halo - Holy grail moisturizer. Super hydrating, super nourishing
CosRX Advanced Snail Essence - Bouncy, plump skin in a bottle
Lock It In
Don’t let all your hard work go to waste! Use an occlusive product to lock your skincare in. This is especially important in dry climates.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment - Not the prettiest or most cosmetically elegant, but probably the most effective way to seal your skincare in
Farmacy Honey Grail Face Oil - A luxury treat for glowy, soft skin
The Ordinary Argan Oil - Magic in a bottle for less than $10. I recommend this to everyone and use it on my entire body!
4. Let your skin rest.
Your skin needs to rest, reset, and reestablish itself after treatments. Scrubs, chemical exfoliatiors, retinol, vitamin C, and other active ingredients can damage your skin if used too frequently. Make sure to take breaks between treatment night. If you want to learn more about finding a balance between treating and recovery, check out skin cycling!
Consistency Is Key
Like all good things, healthy skin takes time. If your moisture barrier is damaged it can take some time to find balance again. Stay consistent in your routine and you’ll start to see results that are well worth the wait!
I hope this was helpful to you! Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions. I’m always happy to help however I can.
As always, thank you so much for reading. I’ll see you soon!
xoxo,
Lindsay
