Experts estimate that about 1,000 bacterial species call the human skin home. On top of those bacteria are the other microbes living on it, including fungi, yeast, and viruses.

While not all those microorganisms are harmful, many can cause diseases.

Those pathogens and environmental toxins can enter your body without the skin barrier. It’s also this outermost layer that prevents the water in your body from evaporating.

All that makes it vital to restore a damaged skin barrier. This guide will tell you how, so keep reading.

Keep Skin Care Regimen Simple

Women use an average of 5 skincare products daily. Some of the most common are cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliators, scrubs, and sunscreen.

Unfortunately, the combined use of those products can do more damage than good. For example, their ingredients may interact with each other, weakening the skin barrier. This can result in reactions including itchiness, dryness, scaling, and rashes.

So if you’ve noticed any of those symptoms, it may be time to switch to a simplified skincare regimen. A licensed dermatologist can help you restore your skin barrier with safer products.

Drink Lots of Water

Water makes up 64% of the human skin. So if you get dehydrated, your skin does, too, and can become dry and more prone to injuries and conditions.

To repair your skin barrier damaged by dehydration, start by rehydrating. The recommended average daily water intake is 125 ounces for men and 91 ounces for women.

Drink more than that if you sweat a lot, whether due to work or exercise. Likewise, get more water in if you drink caffeinated beverages, as these are diuretics.

You can also use a gentle moisturizer or a plant-based oil. Examples of the former are the Anbiome moisturizing cream, Olay Regenerist, and Vanicream. If you opt for the latter, try jojoba, almond, argan, coconut, or primrose oil.

Get 8 Hours of Quality Sleep

Seven hours is the minimum sleep duration recommended for optimal adult health. However, you may have to increase that to 8 or 9 hours if you already have a damaged skin barrier. That increase can help encourage your skin to heal better and faster.

Just as vital is to ensure you get 8 to 9 hours of uninterrupted, relaxing sleep. This is because fragmented sleep can contribute to sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation can decrease skin hydration and cause yellowness. It can also lead to premature skin aging.

To sleep better and longer, avoid electronic device use for 1 to 2 hours before bed. Their blue light can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Large meals, alcohol, and caffeine have the same effects, so limit their intake, too,

Lastly, make your sleeping environment and temperature as comfortable as possible. Keeping it dark and quiet can also help promote better sleep.

Time to Restore Your Skin Barrier

Remember: The skin barrier is one of your body’s first lines of defense against disease. You risk developing skin conditions and premature skin aging if it gets damaged.

So as soon as you notice the signs of a damaged skin barrier, follow our skin care tips to help restore it.

For more skin health techniques, check out our guide on keeping it smooth and young!