If you have ever suffered from dry, damaged, or sensitive skin, you know how difficult it can be to find a skincare routine that works. The skin barrier is essential for keeping our skin healthy and hydrated, but when it is damaged, it can be difficult to repair.

In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to repair the skin barrier and get your skin back to its healthy state!

#1 Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser

If you have damaged or sensitive skin, it is likely that your skin barrier is compromised. The first and most important step in revamping a non-working skincare routine is to choose a gentle cleanser that will not strip your skin of its natural oils but will gently remove the excess oil and grime of the day only.

Look for a cleanser that contains soothing active ingredients like rose water, chamomile or aloe vera and avoid harsh soaps.

#2 Restore the skin's PH balance with a hydrosol

The second step is to use a hydrosol that will help to restore your skin's natural pH balance. This step is crucial because when the skin's pH is within its natural range, it maintains the skin barrier intact. In fact, when the Ph is off, it can lead to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts.

The Ph of the skin is naturally slightly acidic around 5.5. Maintaining the Ph of the skin is very important as it is this acidity that helps to protect the skin from bacteria and other environmental stressors. However, when the skin's pH becomes too alkaline, usually because of over-cleansing or other harsh skincare practices, it can cause dryness, irritation, and even breakouts.

Our winner here is Ellora Skincare Pure Rose Hydrosol, 150ml (£13). It is a distillate of hand-picked fresh petals of Damask Rose with naturally occurring Ph 5 and contains a high optimum dosage of Damask rose oil that is extremely moisturizing and soothing.

#3 Use a hydrating serum

The third step is to use a hydrating serum that will help to replenish the moisture in your skin. Look for a serum that contains hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which are both great ingredients for retaining moisture. Apply the serum to clean, damp skin and follow with a cream/oil containing natural lipids.

#4 Use a barrier-repairing cream or ointment

The fourth step is to use a barrier-repairing cream or ointment. This type of product will help to replenish the lipids in your skin that have been lost due to damage. Lipids in your skin serve as a barrier to keep moisture in. Naturally occurring lipids in the skin are ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids.

When these lipids are lost, the skin barrier gets damaged and skin becomes dry, irritated, and inflamed.

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B-, is an essential skincare ingredient that is shown to increase the production of ceramides, which are essential for repairing the skin barrier.

Ellora Skincare Super Vitality Serum, 30ml (£21) is a unique combination of skin-barrier restoring ingredients like niacinamide, Matrixyl 3000, vitamin D-panthenol and other skin-replenishing ingredients that help to restore the skin barrier, improve skin hydration, and diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

#5 Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods that are high in antioxidants

The fifth and final step is to make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and eating foods that are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect the skin from free radical damage, which can further damage the skin barrier. Foods that are high in antioxidants include all fresh fruit and veg and in particular berries, dark leafy greens, and green tea.