How to repair your damaged skin barrier, according to a dermatologist
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Are you approaching your skincare routine correctly? Perhaps not, says Dr Hassan Galadari. The question is: what is the skin barrier? And why is everyone’s – it would seem – in need of some damage repair? We wanted to get to the crux of the matter and find some clear-cut answers among all the speculation and paid advertising.
![[Some examples of how a damaged skin barrier might present symptomatically in different skin types]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/13/16/56/what-does-a-damaged-skin-barrier-look-like-indybest.png)
Thankfully, dermatologist Dr Hassan Galadari came to the rescue, with both simple solutions and a scientific breakdown of terms – so you can crack on with your cleansing and moisturising, confident in the knowledge you’re doing what’s best for your skin.
![[Some of Dr Galadari's affordable skincare picks for a damaged barrier]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/13/17/39/products-to-use-on-a-damaged-skin-barrier-indybest.png)
Scroll on for all of Dr Galadari’s tips, tricks and kernels of wisdom. “Your skin barrier is your body’s frontline defence,” Dr Galadari tells The Independent. “It’s the outermost layer of your skin and keeps moisture in, and harmful stuff – like bacteria and pollution – out.”.
![[Dr Galadari's high-end picks for skin suffering from barrier damage]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/13/17/57/products-to-use-on-a-damaged-skin-barrier-indybest.png)
Getting technical, he describes how the skin barrier is made up of lipids (oils), dead skin cells, and a mix of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. “When the skin barrier is healthy,” he says, “your skin stays hydrated, smooth, and strong. When it’s compromised, you’ll notice issues like dryness, redness or irritation creeping in.”.
“Fixing a damaged skin barrier is all about hydration and soothing care,” claims Dr Galadari. He recommends those suffering with a damaged skin barrier to look for products with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. “These ingredients,” he clarifies, “are brilliant for restoring moisture and repairing your skin’s protective layer.”.
