Broken Moisture Barrier

[Case86]

Due to over exfoliation I have completely broken my moisture barrier... I decided to give Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream a shot after all the rave reviews and I’m pretty much bummed. While I may have a breakout here and there (mainly white heads and some black heads) this never happens this bad. Ideas? Suggestions? I’ve spent so much money trying to find the right combo of things to fix the damage I’ve done and I’m just bummed because I thought I found “the cure”. Apparently it’s not for me.

[averylayne]

Summer Friday Jet Lag Mask is really good for hydration. I use it nightly as a moisturizer. I exfoliate a lot also, but I always have Jet Lag Mask in my routine. It may seem too rich for acne prone skin, but it hasn’t caused any breakouts for me

[MCSSavvy]

Skincare is a bit of trial and error even as holy grail products change, our skin changes, etc.  My suggestion to help repair your moisture barrier so your skin can heal is to use a humectant such as Vanicream, CeraVe or Aquaphor to help seal in moisture to allow your skin to heal.  These products tend to be free of most skin irritants such as dyes, perfumes/fragrance, parabens, sulfates, etc.  I generally call these barrier creams and you can use them alone or apply over your regular moisturizer.  Vasoline is another option but I don't really advocate it. These creams will help repair the moisture barrier and that in turn will help the skin to heal and stop letting in bacteria and calm down the acne you are experiencing.  I also recommend using a gentle face cleanser to help restore the ph balance in your skin if you are not already using one.  Drunk Elephant Peeke bar, Cerave, Vanicream and Cetaphil all are gentle cleansers.   

Diet also helps - a clean diet leads to healthier skin and pores for most people.  Hydration will also help heal and maintain your moisture barrier.  Hope that helps.