How to Avoid Stripping Your Skin Barrier with Face Wash
To avoid stripping your skin barrier with face wash, choose a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that matches your skin type, use lukewarm water, and massage for no more than 60 seconds. Avoid over-washing, harsh scrubbing, and hot water. Follow with a moisturizer while skin is damp. Look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or ceramides and skip products with high alcohol or strong sulfates. Understanding Your Skin Barrier and How Cleansers Affect It Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, often described as a brick-and-mortar structure. The skin cells are the bricks, and the lipids—ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids—are the mortar that holds everything together. This barrier is your body’s first line of defense against environmental aggressors like…
