10 Essential Ingredients to Restore Your Skin’s Moisture Barrier

Compromised skin moisture barrier? In this article, we unlock the secrets to restoring moisture barrier function to the outermost layer of skin with our top 10 recommendations. We’ll delve into the roles of ingredients such as ceramides, fatty acids, and natural oils, and how to incorporate them into your routine for optimal moisture barrier restoration.

What is the skin moisture barrier?

The skin moisture barrier is the outermost layer (the stratum corneum) of the skin, consisting of tough skin cells bound together by a lipid layer. This outermost layer plays an essential role in keeping the skin hydrated and protected from environmental aggressors. 

What can compromise a skin moisture barrier?

A compromised skin moisture barrier can be caused by both internal and external factors. Internally, the skin’s natural oils, called sebum, play a major role in moisturising the skin, and if the oil glands produce insufficient levels of sebum, the moisture barrier dries out. 

Externally, our moisture barrier can be affected by exposure to damaging free radicals and environmental aggressors. Dry, cold winds, air conditioning, UV rays, and pollution can all damage the moisture barrier. 

How to know if your skin moisture barrier is affected

If you notice heightened sensitivity, visible redness, irritation, uneven skin texture, or a general lack of radiance in your complexion, these may indicate a compromised skin moisture barrier. Fortunately, with the right skincare, you can restore the moisture barrier. 

Best ingredients for the skin moisture barrier

Here are the skincare ingredients instrumental to nurturing a robust, resilient skin moisture barrier.

1. Ceramides

Ceramides are a family of essential waxy lipids located in the very outer layer of the skin (the stratum corneum. They are essential to the integrity of the skin moisture barrier. If you think of the stratum corneum as a brick wall, with layer upon layer of skin cells as the 'bricks', then ceramides form the 'mortar' between them, closing the gaps. Products containing skin-identical ceramides ensure the skin remains hydrated and plump.

2. Fatty acids and cholesterol

In tandem with cholesterol, fatty acids (including Omega-3 and Omega-6) play another important role in the skin’s lipid content. Fatty acids and cholesterol play a role in maintaining elasticity and strengthening the skin’s defence against environmental aggressors.

3. Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body responsible for hydrating the skin. This powerful humectant binds water molecules to collagen (the protein that forms the main structure of skin) to support it in maintaining plumpness and bounce. Hyaluronic acid capable of holding up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it an essential component to keeping the skin moisture barrier strengthened

4. Shea butter

Shea butter has a unique composition that makes it excellent for lipid replenishment. With a similar fatty acid composition to our skin, it helps to soothe the skin. It also helps to better absorb fatty acids.

5. Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil acts as an emollient, providing a protective layer over the skin to prevent it from losing moisture. It can also penetrate deep into the pores to clear the skin of excess sebum—particularly useful if you’re prone to blemishes. 

6. Vitamin C

This popular antioxidant helps protect the skin against free radicals, while also brightening the skin and promoting collagen production. By protecting the skin, vitamin C prevents visible damage from environmental aggressors that can affect the skin moisture barrier.

7. Vitamin E

Vitamin E—also called alpha-tocopherol—is another powerful antioxidant. It's a fat-soluble molecule, so is absorbed into the skin more readily than water-soluble vitamins.

8. Panthenol

Panthenol, also known as pro-vitamin B5, is a stable precursor of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Its moisturising, comforting properties are great for dry, mildly comrpomised and sensitive skin. Panthenol interacts with lipids and proteins to maintain skin hydration and improve elasticity.

9. Peptides

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Delivered mainly in the form of peptides (two or more amino acids linked together, but not an entire protein), they bolster the acid mantle, which acts as a protective barrier to safeguard our skin from environmental aggressors.

10. Niacinamide

Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, helps to promote collagen production, supporting the skin’s moisture barrier and overall condition. It’s used to soothe the skin, reduce trans-epidermal water loss and create smoother, more even skin texture. 

Tips for strengthening the moisture barrier

In skincare, it's very often the case of 'the simpler, the better'. Streamlining your regimen to the basics of cleanser, moisturiser, a serum and (in the mornings) broad-spectrum high SPF sunscreen, allows the skin to thrive without being overwhelmed by too many products.

Choose a gentle cleanser

A gentle cleanser removes impurities efficiently without stripping away natural oils or irritating the skin, leaving your skin better able to absorb your serum or moisturiser. You should also cleanse with lukewarm water, as hot water can dehydrate the skin which affects the moisture barrier. 

Avoid over-exfoliation

While regular exfoliation is important for removing dead skin cells to reveal fresh skin, over-exfoliating can strip the skin of its protective layer, leading to heightened skin sensitivity and irritation. Safeguard your skin by limiting exfoliation to 2-3 times per week (depending on your skin type), and choose a gentle, chemical exfoliant.

Sun protection

Sun protection is a critical part of protecting both the outer layer of skin as well on a cellular level. Avoid too much sun exposure by wearing a hat and protective clothing. And, of course, you also need to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 50+. 

Advanced Repair Balm for deep hydration

CeraVe’s Advanced Repair Balm is formulated to protect the skin from dryness and external irritants by restoring and maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier function. This multi-purpose repair balm hydrates, soothes and protects dry, rough skin for smoother, more hydrated skin. Incorporate this balm into your nightly skincare routine to align with skin's overnight self-repair processes.