Dry skin lacks oil. A damaged barrier lacks structure. The fix for one can make the other worse, so it pays to know the difference.
Signs Of A Damaged Barrier
- Stinging or burning when products go on
- Persistent redness and reactivity
- Flaking that returns no matter how much moisturizer you use
- Breakouts alongside dryness
How To Rebuild
- Pause retinoids, acids and scrubs for 2–4 weeks
- Cleanse with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser
- Layer humectants (hyaluronic acid) with ceramides and squalane
- Reintroduce actives slowly, one at a time
Originally published at the source
