So your skin barrier is having a meltdown. (A good way to tell: If it’s newly red, dry, flaky, or uncomfortable.) The good news? Whether you’ve gone overboard with exfoliation or are just in a dry, cold climate, an impaired skin barrier isn’t the end of the world, especially when you have a dedicated barrier-repair routine to fall back on. 

That’s where our guide comes in. Just as important as what you leave out of your routine when your skin barrier is compromised — like allergens and harsh ingredients — is what you keep in. These steps are hand-picked to get your skin back on the right track, leaving it healthy, resilient, and glowing.

Step 1: Cleansing

It’s worth treading carefully around cleanser, in part because overwashing your face can actually contribute to a compromised skin barrier. In other words, not just any cleanser will do. Instead, opt for a moisturizing formula that’s designed with the barrier in mind, like our Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser. It uses a proprietary blend of actives to support the skin barrier, balancing the delicate microbiome and soothing redness caused by dehydration and dryness with ceramides, pre- and postbiotics, colloidal oatmeal, and avocado oil. At the same time, makeup-removing agents — which are so mild, they’re used in baby washes — make quick work of grime, makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. It’s the rare cleanser that actually replenishes the skin barrier as it cleanses.

Step 2: Treating

When it comes to the skin barrier, ceramides are the name of the game. A type of lipid, they’re naturally found throughout your skin barrier, where they seal up cracks in the barrier to prevent external aggressors (like pollution and irritants) from entering and, conversely, moisture from escaping. To put it another way: The more ceramides, the merrier. That’s where our Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum comes in. It delivers five types of skin-identical ceramides to replenish those in your skin barrier, as well as rice milk and allantoin to calm stressed-out skin. Maybe the best part? It plays well with others, meaning you can pair it with Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum or Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops.

Step 3: Moisturizing

Moisturizer is a can’t-miss when it comes to barrier repair. One ingredient to look out for is hyaluronic acid; this humectant is essential for helping skin retain water, which is at a premium when your skin barrier is impaired. (That’s because a compromised skin barrier allows for a higher rate of trans-epidermal water loss, in which water literally evaporates from within your skin, leaving it dehydrated.) Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream — which works for all skin types — features five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to target different layers of skin, plumping it from the inside out, as well as polyglutamic acid, a peptide that then locks in that moisture. The three types of antioxidant-packed plums offer additional hydration, while the ice willowherb soothes skin and keeps excess oil under control.

Step 4: Protecting

Sun exposure wreaks havoc on skin in a number of ways — and damaging your skin barrier is one of them. So not only is proper sun protection essential for repairing your skin barrier, but it’s also key for preventing damage down the line. And Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 goes above and beyond to do just that. Rather than settle for SPF alone, it also features niacinamide, a versatile ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as hyaluronic acid. You’ll also find aloe, which is brimming with vitamins that help defend the skin barrier.

By focusing on these essential steps in your routine, your skin barrier will be back in business in no time — allowing you to get back to the actives and treatments you know and love that much faster.

Read more about the skin barrier:

• How to Get a Healthy Skin Barrier
• How a Healthy Skin Barrier Helps Keep Skin Clear
• How to Deal When Your Skin Is Freaking Out