Skin guide/Barrier Repair
My playbook

Barrier Repair

Rebuild a tight, dry or over-exfoliated barrier so your skin feels comfortable again.

my winter skin, every year
Best finds
For barrier repair
picked for this skin concern
  • haruharu wonder Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream
  • iUNIK Beta-Glucan 3X Barrier Cream
  • skit B5 Barrier Cream
  • and more on my shelf
See them on my shelf →
Sound like you?
  • Skin that feels tight, dry or flaky
  • Stinging after products that used to be fine
  • Over-exfoliation or too many actives at once
What I wish I knew sooner
  • Pause exfoliating acids and retinoids for now
  • Choose fragrance-free, simple formulas
  • Most people feel better in two to four weeks

My routine, step by step

Morning and night. Skip the steps marked as optional if you want to keep it simple.

Morning

fast and light
1
Cleanseoptional
Gentle cleanser or water only
daily
2
Hydrate
Hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin
daily
3
Moisturize
Ceramide cream
daily
4
SPF
Gentle, broad-spectrum
daily

Night

slow and caring
1
Cleanse
Gentle, non-stripping cleanser
daily
2
Hydrate
Hydrating serum
daily
3
Moisturize
Rich ceramide cream
daily
4
Sealoptional
Balm over the driest areas
as needed

The ingredients I'd start with

You don't need all of them. Pick one or two and give them time.

Ceramides
Also called: ceramide np, ceramide ap, ceramide eop

Skin-identical fats that help rebuild a damaged barrier.

barrier repair / moisture retention / sensitivity
Works at: Concentration is rarely listed; the formula as a whole matters
very gentle
Read moreHyaluronic Acid
Also called: hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate

A humectant that draws water into the surface of your skin.

hydration / plumping / tight skin
Works at: Usually 0.1 to 2%, and the molecular size matters more than the number
very gentle
Read moreCentella Asiatica
Also called: centella asiatica extract, madecassoside, asiaticoside

A calming plant extract, often called cica.

soothing / barrier repair / redness
Works at: Usually included as an extract or purified compounds, with no fixed standard
very gentle
Read moreNiacinamide
Also called: niacinamide, nicotinamide, vitamin b3

A vitamin B3 that supports the barrier and evens the look of skin.

pore appearance / barrier support / uneven tone / oil control
Works at: Effective at 2 to 5%, many products go up to 10%
very gentle
Read morePeptides
Also called: signal peptides, copper peptides

Short chains of amino acids used in skin-firming products.

firmness / fine lines / gentle
Works at: Varies by peptide and formula
very gentle
Read more
From my bathroom shelf

What's on my shelf for this

haruharu wonder Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream
haruharu wonder Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream
iUNIK Beta-Glucan 3X Barrier Cream
iUNIK Beta-Glucan 3X Barrier Cream
skit B5 Barrier Cream
skit B5 Barrier Cream
LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Moisture Cream
LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Moisture Cream
iUNIK Beta-Glucan Lacto Barrier Milk Essence
iUNIK Beta-Glucan Lacto Barrier Milk Essence
ROUND LAB Soybean Panthenol Cream
ROUND LAB Soybean Panthenol Cream

Keep reading

My morning skincare routine for dry skin in winter→All skin goals→

This is general information from my own experience and reading, not medical advice. If your skin is painful, very irritated or not improving, please see a dermatologist.