When your skin barrier is damaged, your skin will show signs of irritation, including hyperpigmentation, itchiness, and dehydrated skin (via Byrdie). In more severe cases, you may be prone to skin infections and/or delayed wound healing. For those who have rosacea or eczema, you might be more susceptible to flare-ups.
According to Glamour, you may also notice redness, scaly skin, and inflammation. Dermatologist Mona Gohara told Glamour that you could get rashes. Sean Garrette, a licensed esthetician, said a major sign of skin barrier damage is a stinging or burning sensation on your skin even when applying products that don't contain active ingredients like moisturizers. With a damaged barrier, skin also becomes more acne-prone. Skin may have a shiny appearance and feel tight with skin texture looking more exaggerated, per COSRX.
To prevent skin barrier damage, it's important to not overdo actives in your skin care routine (via Glamour). Dermatologist Shereene Idriss recommends introducing one active ingredient at a time. Over-exfoliation can especially lead to inflammation. To prevent this, it's recommended to stick to exfoliating acids like AHAs or BHAs and to avoid scrubs that can cause irritation. "Over-exfoliating is one of the biggest mistakes we see people making," dermatologist Aanand Geria told Healthline, adding, "Generally, skin should be exfoliated only one to two times per week to help expedite skin cell turnover without causing damage."
