ISSUE 03

Your Skin Barrier, Explained Like a Friend

Hey Beauties,

I'll be brave and go first. A few years ago I got a little overexcited with the Tik Tok trends: a new acid, a new retinol, a new "glass skin" step every week and one crazy peel shot. Until one morning my go-to moisturiser started to sting. I also started getting the worst breakouts and congestion. My skin felt tight, looked patchy, and was angry about everything I was using.

ISSUE 03: YOUR SKIN BARRIER, EXPLAINED LIKE A FRIEND

Hey Beauties,

I'll be brave and go first. A few years ago I got a little overexcited with the Tik Tok trends: a new acid, a new retinol, a new "glass skin" step every week and one crazy peel shot. Until one morning my go-to moisturiser started to sting. I also started getting the worst breakouts and congestion. My skin felt tight, looked patchy, and was angry about everything I was using.

My skin barrier was waving a little white flag, saying this is all too much! And well, those pimples really had me feeling a bit shitty about my face, so I started down the rabbit hole again.

What is a skin barrier?

I love a good analogy, so let's use one to get a better idea of our skin barrier. Picture a brick wall (although your skin is more like a delicate silk top). Your skin cells are the bricks and holding them together is a mortar of lipids: ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. Together the wall keeps moisture in and irritants out.

When the mortar gets worn down, water escapes and irritants get in. That's when our skin starts acting out.

Signs your barrier might be stressed

  • Feels tight, especially after cleansing
  • Stings with products that never used to bother you
  • Flaky or rough patches, even though you moisturise
  • Suddenly red, sensitive or breaking out
  • Looks dull, no matter what you put try

The usual suspects that cause damage

  • Over-exfoliating. Acids and scrubs are meant to be occasional products.
  • Too many actives at once. Retinol, vitamin C and AHAs on the same night can be a lot, especially if your barrier is compromised.
  • Hot showers. They feel amazing, but they can be drying and damaging to the skin.
  • Harsh or fragranced cleansers. Squeaky clean is not always the goal.

Things I did to be kinder to my barrier

  1. Simplified. I removed all actives like retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
  2. Pause the exfoliation. They'll still be there when my barrier is ready.
  3. Fed the mortar with barrier support. I used only the cleanest products, like barrier oils and balms.
  4. Lukewarm water only. For my morning wash I only used warm water or a honey cleanser.
  5. I was patient. Skin renews over weeks, not days. It took me about 2-3 months to see a strong difference.

[Scroll down] Below are some of my favourite products that helped support my barrier

We are excited to say these beautiful products will be available through our shop very soon.

Remember you're beautiful just as you are,

Shay x

BO recommendations for skin barrier 

  • SHOP WILDING Empress Barrier Repair Oil

  • SHOP WILDING Empress Hydrasoothe Face Mist

  • SHOP KHUS KHUS GOLDEN MILK CLEANSER

  • SHOP honey glow