1. Choose a gentle face wash!
Avoid soaps and highly foaming cleansers! Instead, choose gentle, pH-neutral cleansers that won't dry out your skin. In the fall and winter, it's a good idea to switch to a gentler, more hydrating cleanser. Also, protect your skin from hot water, especially on your face.
2. Use products rich in ceramides!
Ceramides are lipids that help retain moisture in the skin. Ceramides make up 50% of the barrier. You can think of them as the “cement” between skin cells. Moisturizing products containing ceramides, such as Martha Skincare ceramide, beta-glucan serum, are very effective in helping to restore your skin's natural barrier. This serum is exceptionally effective in this, as it also contains 5% soothing centella, 5% panthenol, 1% bisabolol and 1% squalane, as well as skin-nourishing NMFs, i.e. Natural Moisturizing Factors.
3. Be careful with exfoliation!
Most skin types don't need more than 1-3 exfoliations per week. Pay attention to your skin and reach for the exfoliator less often. It's not worth it!
4. Avoid alcohol and fragrances!
Alcohol and fragrances are hidden in many products, but unfortunately they can cause irritation and dryness, which weakens your skin's defenses. Try to choose fragrance- and alcohol-free products instead.
5. Put the active ingredients aside!
If your skin is stinging, burning, irritated by everything, then by no means continue your routine packed with active ingredients. In such cases, the best thing you can do is to use as few products as possible and focus on soothing and regenerating them. Once your barrier has been strengthened, you can slowly introduce 1-2 active ingredients back into your routine. But be much more conscious and moderate about it.
6. Nourish your skin from the inside!
You can also strengthen your skin's protective layer from the inside. Regularly consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, olive and flaxseed oils, and avocados. Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, also contribute to skin protection and regeneration.
Regularity and patience
Remember that restoring your skin's protective barrier doesn't happen overnight. It's important to use the right products consistently and avoid extremes. No matter what your skin type, moisturizing morning and night is essential to restoring your skin's natural protection, elasticity, and health.
Jaksa Petra
