The unsung hero of resilient, healthy balanced skin is the skins barrier also known as the lipid barrier and is the front line of your skin’s health.

Made from a blend of lipids or fats, including ceramides, the skin barrier helps to keep skin protected from extrinsic factors and defend against damaging pollution, UV light and infection, helps lock in hydration and strengthens skin resilience. So aesthetically it’s important to keep it in optimum condition.

If our barrier becomes compromised, then skin can become red, shiny, sore, constantly dry, uncomfortable or itchy. A compromised barrier can also irritate and flair up skin challenges such as psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. 

Cementing the skin cells together in the skin barrier are ceramides or lipids which work to strengthen skin. Ceramides can quickly deteriorate due to a variety of factors, including age, over-exfoliation and more. This can lead to flaky patches, itchiness, inflammation and if left untreated can lead to sensitive skin, acne and premature ageing. If your skin suddenly appears sensitive or you get breakouts in new areas, it could be your skin barrier crying out for help.

While environmental and intrinsic factors do upset the skin barrier. Surprisingly, it’s also the things we do to try and help improve our skin that can tip the balance. Over-cleansing is the first culprit, and while it’s important to clean skin over-using a product that strips away moisture can start breaking down those ceramides. 

It’s the same with acids. While they give fantastic results in moderation, it’s easy to get addicted to the glow and using strong concoctions, which can lead to red, raw and flaking skin. Over-using treatments such as vitamin A or micro-needling can also damage the barrier, as can hot water and lifestyle issues such as stress, a lack of sleep or burning the candle at both ends. Finding the balance between your skin type, sensitivity and regime is key.

What to avoid when your barrier is compromised

The skin barrier works hand in hand with the naturally occurring bacteria and you own lipid production present on our skin so it’s important not to strip it away with harsh cleansers and treatments. 

• Don’t use strong stripping cleansers
• Avoid using abrasive exfoliants
• Avoid use strong acid-based actives
• Avoid use hot water
• Avoid aggressive skin treatments

How to repair a compromised barrier and keep your skin barrier balanced

To keep the skin barrier healthy, it’s essential to support and comfort the skin by supporting the barrier function and feeding the barrier with lipid enriched skincare.

Products in the Douglas Pereira Skin Health range that treat a compromised barrier

The range has two categories of products that work on improving the skins barrier. The first is our Lipid Elixir Skin Hydrator Serums and the second is the Cera Fort Collection of products that target a compromised barrier.

The Lipid Elixir skin hydration serums:

Innovative intense hydrating, restoration serum that soothes, protects & nourishes. Supplies skin with vital natural moisture factors, lipids, potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial & anti-fungal benefits. Prevents dryness, heals, plumps & repairs damage. Quickly absorbs into the skin replenishing moisture, creating a protective, silky barrier to help prevent dehydration & provide long term correction.

Two products in this collection -  

Lipid Elixir Calm – sensitive, dry, mature, skin 30ml $185

Lipid Elixir Clarify – congested, oily, dull skin 30ml $185

The Cera fort Collection:

This powerful collection of products has been designed to restore barrier function and re-organising optimal lipid structure, hydration levels & sebum balance. Its moisture retention benefits reduce dryness, itching and burning. Contains a potent concentration of anti-oxidant master peptide, medical grade Hyaluronic Acid, biomimetic phytosterols & phospholipids that dramatically boost the skin's resistance to inflammatory free radical aggressors greatly reducing sensitivity. Repairs compromised skin conditions such as - sensitive, psoriasis, eczema & redness.

The Cera Fort collection of products -

Cera Fort Restore Serum 30ml $185

Cera Fort Repair Serum 30ml $185

Cera Fort Repair Cream 50ml $185

Cera Fort Day Fluid SPF 50ml $120