Protecting Your Skin Barrier — Why It Matters More Than You Think! In this sizzling issue Grazia’s International Beauty Editor, Kaniz Ali speaks to Celebrity Aesthetics Practioner,
Kaniz: What exactly is your skin barrier?
Nilam Holmes: Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and the outermost layer — the skin barrier — is your shield. It protects you from environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and irritants, while locking in essential hydration. When your barrier is compromised, it can trigger inflammation, which plays a role in conditions like rosacea, eczema, acne, and even premature ageing.
Kaniz: Tell us 5 reasons why a healthy skin barrier is essential?
Nilam Holmes:
1. It shields you from external stressors protects against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, viruses, and harsh products. 2. It locks in moisture
prevents transdermal water loss, keeping skin plump and hydrated.
3. It supports healing
a healthy barrier allows your skin to repair itself faster.
4. Reduces sensitivity & inflammation calms redness, itchiness, tingling, and reactivity.
5. Keeps your microbiome balanced maintains healthy skin flora, protecting against acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Kaniz: What damages the skin barrier? Nilam Holmes: While hormones, certain medications, and harsh weather can all play a part, the biggest culprit I see is over-treating the skin. Layering multiple active products without guidance or skipping SPF can seriously weaken your barrier.
Kaniz: Tell us more about treatments that help restore the skin barrier.
Nilam Holmes:
BTL Emfusion Therapy
Emfusion is a deeply hydrating treatment delivering hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, and ectoin directly into the skin.
It uses DYNAMIQ technology which converts electrical energy into mechanical waves, creating temporary micro channels in the skin to enhance ingredient penetration. It is Ideal for calming sensitivity, locking in moisture, and protecting against environmental stressors.
• Treatment time: 45-60 minutes
• Course: 4–6 sessions recommended
Byonik Laser Therapy
Byonik is my go to treatment for a damaged and compromised skin barrier. It cuts post treatment recovery time in half with its powerful inflammation reduction and can be used on open wounds to promote healing. Byonik is a unique pulse triggered low level cold laser that works
in sync with your heartbeat, delivering antioxidants and hydration into your
cells at the perfect moment. It is anti inflammatory, antibacterial, and collagen boosting as well as balancing the skins biome. Perfect for even the most fragile skin.
• Treatment time: 30–60 minutes
• Course: 6–8 sessions recommended but can be used post laser to speed up healing.
LED Light Therapy
Led Light has multiple benefits when it comes to skin health. Regular use can help to stimulate collagen and reduce inflammation as well as having a natural antibacterial action. Most clinics offer 20-30 minute bespoke sessions and there are some excellent homecare masks. My favourite is the Deessee Pro which has several treatment options.
• Treatment time: 20–30 minutes • Frequency: 2-3 times per week
If your barrier is damaged or you simply want to keep a healthy barrier, the most important thing you can do is make sure your home care routine is working for you. Now this is bespoke to each person but as a general daily barrier boosting Routine i reccommend:
- Cleansing the face with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser or face wash. Look for products specifically made for calming, hydrating and soothing. Try Cerave hydrating face wash or Paulas choice Calm Ultra Gentle Cleanser
- Spray your skin with a hypochlorous spray to safely purify, hydrate, protect and balance the biome of the skin. Try Puromist
- Use a Hyaluronic acid serum or a Ceramide Serum to hydrate the skin. Try Dr Barabara Sturm Ceramide Serum or Garnier Skin active Aloe Hyalauronic replumping serum
- Use an antioxidant serum to strengthen and protect the skin. Try
products and ingredients to avoid if your skin barrier is weak:
Harsh physical scrubs, acids and exfoliants. High-strength retinol, even though long term retinol can strengthen skin, it is best to avoid it during this time. Alcohol based product as well as fragrances and essential oils because these can dehydrate, weaken and irritate the skin.
Kaniz: Tell us about strong actives
Nilam Holmes: Prescription strength products like skin peels and retinol can work wonders for acne and ageing when used correctly. But stronger formulas are becoming more easily available online, often without professional advice. Using
stressors like pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and irritants, while locking in essential hydration.
When your barrier is compromised, it can trigger inflammation which plays a role in conditions like rosacea, eczema, acne, and even premature ageing.
Kaniz: Tell us 5 reasons why a healthy skin barrier is essential?
Nilam Holmes:
1. It shields you from external stressors protects against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, viruses, and harsh products.
2. It locks in moisture prevents transdermal water loss, keeping skin plump and hydrated.
Skin Rocks The Antioxidant or Clinical
Pro Heal Serum
• Use a comforting moisturiser to condition and comfort the skin. Try Weleda skin food or clinical Sheald balm
• Use an SPF for sensitive skin. A mineral option may be less likely to irritate the skin. Try Cellderma Mineral Spf or La Roche Posey Anthelios Mineral Ultra light sunscreen.
Great Barrier-Loving Ingredients to look out for in your skin care:
Ceramides, Hyalauronic Acid, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Glycerine, Callendula and green tea are all repairing and soothing ingredients. them on the wrong skin type or at the wrong frequency, can cause long lasting damage.
Respect your barrier, keep your routine simple and choose treatments and products that nurture rather than strip. A consultation with a good skin therapist can put you on the right path bespoke to you. I always say to my cleint “Healthy skin isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what’s right for your skin.”
Kaniz: What Exactly Is Your Skin Barrier?
Nilam Holmes: Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and the outermost layer — the skin barrier — is your shield.
It protects you from environmental
3. It supports healing
a healthy barrier allows your skin to repair itself faster.
4. Reduces sensitivity & inflammation calms redness, itchiness, tingling, and reactivity.
5. Keeps your microbiome balanced maintains healthy skin flora, protecting against acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Kaniz: What Damages the Skin Barrier? Nilam Holmes: While hormones, certain medications, and harsh weather can all play a part, the biggest culprit I see is over- treating the skin. Layering multiple active products without guidance — or skipping SPF — can seriously weaken your barrier.
Kaniz: Tell us more about treatments that help restore the skin barrier
Nilam Holmes:
BTL Emfusion Therapy
Emfusion is a deeply hydrating treatment delivering hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, and ectoin directly into the skin. It uses DYNAMIQ technology which converts electrical energy into mechanical waves creating temporary micro-channels in the skin to enhance ingredient penetration. It is Ideal for calming sensitivity, locking in moisture, and protecting against environmental stressors. • Treatment time: 45-60 minutes
• Course: 4–6 sessions recommended
Byonik Laser Therapy
Byonik is my go to treatment for a damaged and compromised skin barrier. It cuts post treatment recovery time in half with its powerful inflammation reduction and can be used on open wounds to promote healing. Byonik is a unique pulse- triggered low level cold laser that works
in sync with your heartbeat, delivering antioxidants and hydration into your
cells at the perfect moment. It is anti- inflammatory, antibacterial, and collagen- boosting as well as balancing the skins biome. Perfect for even the most fragile skin.
• Treatment time: 30–60 minutes
• Course: 6–8 sessions recommended but can be used post laser to speed up healing.
LED Light Therapy
Led Light has multiple benefits when it comes to skin health. Regular use can help to stimulate collagen and reduce inflammation as well as having a natural antibacterial action. Most clinics offer 20-30 minute bespoke sessions and there are some excellent homecare masks. My favourite is the Deessee Pro which has several treatment options.
• Treatment time: 20–30 minutes • Frequency: 2-3 times per week
If your barrier is damaged or you simply want to keep a healthy barrier, the most important thing you can do is make sure your home care routine is working for you. Now this is bespoke to each person but as a general daily barrier-boosting routine i reccommend:
- Cleansing the face with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser or face wash. Look for products specifically made for calming, hydrating and soothing. Try Cerave hydrating face wash or Paulas choice Calm Ultra Gentle Cleanser
- Spray your skin with a hypochlorous spray to safely purify, hydrate, protect and balance the biome of the skin. Try Puromist
- Use a Hyaluronic acid serum or a Ceramide Serum to hydrate the skin. Try Dr Barabara Sturm Ceramide Serum or Garnier Skin active Aloe Hyalauronic replumping serum
- Use an antioxidant serum to strengthen and protect the skin. Try Skin Rocks The Antioxidant or Is Clinical Pro Heal Serum
- Use a comforting moisturiser to condition and comfort the skin. Try Weleda skin food or is clinical Sheald balm
• Use an SPF for sensitive skin. A mineral option may be less likely to irritate the skin. Try Cellderma Mineral Spf or La Roche Posey Anthelios Mineral Ultra light sunscreen. Great Barrier-Loving Ingredients to look
out for in your skin care:
Ceramides, Hyalauronic Acid, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Glycerine, Callendula and green tea are all repairing and soothing ingredients. Products and ingredients to avoid if your skin barrier is weak:
Harsh physical scrubs, acids and exfoliants. High strength retinol, even though long term retinol can strengthen skin, it is best to avoid it during this time. Alcohol-based product as well as fragrances and essential oils because these can dehydrate, weaken and irritate the skin.
Kaniz: Tell us about strong actives
Nilam Holmes: Prescription strength products like skin peels and Retinol can work wonders for acne and ageing when used correctly. But stronger formulas are becoming more easily available online, often without professional advice. Using them on the wrong skin type, or at the wrong frequency, can cause long-lasting damage.
Respect your barrier, keep your routine simple and choose treatments and products that nurture rather than strip. A consultation with a good skin therapist can put you on the right path bespoke to you. I always say to my cleint’s “Healthy skin isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what’s right for your skin.”
