What’s a healthy skin barrier and why you should care.

Your skin barrier is like the bouncer at a nightclub. If you're gonna kill the vibe, you're not allowed in.

The skin barrier is the outer layer of your skin, made up of skin cells, lipids, oils, and fatty acids. Skin with a healthy barrier has more even tone, more dewiness, and better texture. It's also better able to hold on to hydration and make use of the ingredients in your routine, so your obsession with (I mean, healthy interest in) expensive skincare products doesn't go to waste.

Why should I care about keeping my skin barrier strong?

I'm not telling you how to live your life, babe. But a healthy skin barrier helps protect against external threats like irritants and free radicals. A strong barrier also prevents issues like acne, dryness, sensitivity, and fine lines. Those are like, all the main skin complaints.

A healthy barrier also prevents water loss. And hydrated skin means seriously juicy-looking skin. No matter your skin type or concern, a strong skin barrier is the secret to really good skin. And really good skin-related compliments.

What happens if I have a poor skin barrier?

Your skin barrier can weaken as a result of ageing, genetics, and outside factors like over-cleansing, overusing active ingredients, or UV exposure. This might look like:

• Dry, scaly skin
• Redness
• Rough texture
• Increased oiliness or breakouts
• Sensitivities (like if even water stings)
• Dullness
• Going home early

How do I get a healthy skin barrier?

You can help repair your skin barrier by adjusting your skincare habits and prioritising moisturising (it even rhymes). The very best ingredients for your skin barrier are humectants, emollients, ceramides, and antioxidants.

Speaking of, have you met my Super Ceramide Barrier Oil? Here's what's inside.

• Ceramides — found naturally in the skin but decrease as you age. They help retain moisture.
• Prickly Pear Seed Oil — packed with fatty acids that support the skin barrier.
• Squalane — an emollient and antioxidant that soothes stressed skin.
• Coffee Seed Oil — contains linoleic acid to strengthen the skin barrier.
• Meadowfoam Seed Oil — helps balance oil production, great if your stressed-barrier symptom is breaking out.

My number one tip: when your skin is stressed, do less. Use my oil that does it all. The only barrier to your best skin is not trying me sooner.

x frank