Should You Be Using a Skin Barrier Repair Cream Every Day?
While moisturizers and occlusives offer immediate relief, they don't address the underlying issue: a damaged skin barrier. Moisturizers and occlusives only alleviate the symptoms of dry skin, not the cure. Those prone to dry skin should add a barrier-repairing moisturizer to their skincare regimen twice daily. A barrier-repairing moisturizer can prevent a host of damage, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), where water evaporates from the skin's surface.
While moisturizers and occlusives offer immediate relief, they don't address the underlying issue: a damaged skin barrier. Moisturizers and occlusives only alleviate the symptoms of dry skin, not the cure. Those prone to dry skin should add a barrier-repairing moisturizer to their skincare regimen twice daily. A barrier-repairing moisturizer can prevent a host of damage, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), where water evaporates from the skin's surface.
When should I use a barrier-repairing moisturizer?
A barrier-repairing moisturizer should be the last step in the morning before sunscreen and before (or after) retinol at night. This helps seal the ingredients and relieve irritation. Using retinol after a barrier-repairing moisturizer can reduce the retinol's penetration into the skin and help you adjust to using it initially. Once you've built tolerance, you can use retinol before the barrier-repairing moisturizer.
Which barrier-repairing moisturizer is best?
The most important ingredient in a moisturizer is MLE technology, also known as Myristoyl/Palmitoyloxystearamide/Arachidylamide MEA. This technology combines ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol in a suitable three-dimensional structure to provide the tightest and strongest barrier protection. MLE (Multi-Layer Emulsion) technology is found in the skincare brand Zerafite. Other moisturizers with barrier-repairing technology contain the right ratio of fatty acids, ceramides, and cholesterol.
Can repair cream be used daily?
1. Repair creams are a skin-repairing product designed to address skin damage and aging. Their primary functions are to thicken the stratum corneum, promote collagen production, and reduce fine lines and dark spots. However, the ingredients in repair creams are complex, and daily use can be taxing and lead to skin problems.
2. The ingredients in repair creams may irritate sensitive skin and exacerbate skin problems. If you already have inflammation, acne, or other issues, using repair creams may irritate your skin and cause further problems.
3. Repair creams are not suitable for all-day use. Because skin needs to breathe, using repair cream all day and night can clog pores and cause skin problems. Therefore, it's recommended to use repair cream during the day and let your skin breathe freely at night.
4. The use of repair cream should be determined based on your skin's condition. If your skin is not damaged or aging, using repair cream may be too oily and hinder your skin's ability to breathe. Therefore, before using repair cream, it's important to understand your skin's condition and choose a suitable product based on your needs.
In summary
Daily use of repair cream is not recommended. The frequency and duration of use should be determined based on your skin's condition. When using repair cream, it's important to massage gently to help your skin absorb the nutrients and avoid burdening it.
