When it comes to skin care, we often get caught up in the latest TikTok trends and experimenting with trendy ingredients, forgetting that skin care is ultimately a science. Our skin's job is to protect us – it acts as a barrier to protect the body from external aggressors such as bacteria, pollution, and UV rays. But, as we routinely use harsh chemical exfoliants, we may inadvertently harm our skin barrier.

How does the skin barrier become damaged?

The skin barrier is the outermost layer of the skin (also known as the epidermis) that guards against external stressors. When not properly protected "the skin barrier can start to crack, which can leave the skin more vulnerable to free radical damage.

Which skin barrier repair ingredients should you look out for?

Another way to maintain a healthy skin barrier is to add a barrier repair product, which is strategically formulated to address the specific needs of the skin barrier, to your routine. If you're unsure what ingredients to seek out in a barrier repair cream, dermatologist Melanie Palm told to look for "ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane, natural moisturising factors, and ceramides."

Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream

Dr Jart+ launched an upgraded version of its beloved moisturising cream, with twice the 5-Cera Complex to help build up the skin barrier. It's also chockfull of hydrating panthenol, making it a great option for all skin types.

SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum

This fast-acting activating serum is worth splurging on because it contains 10 clinical actives, including niacinamide and peptides, to give you visibly brighter-looking skin in just one hour according to the brand's clinical studies.

Dermalogica Stabilising Repair Cream

Reactive skin has met its match with Dermalogica's Stabilising Repair Cream. From the second the formula hits the skin, the soothing benefits kick in. This balmy cream features a proprietary ceramide-building complex that boosts ceramide production, thus providing long-term barrier health benefits.

Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream

For immediate relief from redness, flakiness, and peeling (a hallmark of a damaged skin barrier), consider this cream from Caudalie. It errs on the pricier side of things, but it's worth it to bathe your skin in a luxurious blend of lipid-replenishing bio-ceramides that prevent water loss.

KraveBeauty Great Barrier Relief

This creamy, nourishing Great Barrier Relief Serum from KraveBeauty is the perfect one-two punch as it restores your damaged skin barrier while simultaneously evening out your complexion. It's loaded with reparative ingredients such as tamanu oil, niacinamide, and ceramides which are essential to skin health.

Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Rich Barrier Moisturiser

In case you need further convincing of its hydrating powers, the soft and weightless formula is anchored by the brand's patented moisture barrier-boosting complex which works to counter the effects of dehydrators and provide up to 120 hours of increased hydration.