I Ruined My Skin Barrier and Now I Have Rosacea – Help!

In addition to the many rosacea patients I have seen over the years, I have seen many recent discussions about a damaged skin barrier and newly developed rosacea on the SkinTypeSolutions subreddit. While a damaged skin barrier certainly contributes to rosacea flare-ups, it is the underlying inflammation that comes along with skin barrier damage that is the main issue. The good news is that by reducing the inflammation and taking steps to promote a healthy skin barrier, you can effectively manage rosacea symptoms.

The skin barrier is a protective layer of lipids that surround the skin cells in the outermost layer of skin, called the epidermis. When this lipid layer is intact and functioning properly, it is able to form a protective seal on the skin, performing two important functions: 1) to keep moisture sealed inside and 2) to keep bacteria, irritants, and allergens out.

An impaired skin barrier has little holes in this lipid layer, which allows water to evaporate out of the skin and also lets allergens and irritants in. This influx of irritants and allergens then triggers your skin’s immune response, which “turns on” inflammatory pathways.

Many factors can contribute to skin barrier damage, including:

• Sun exposure

• Harsh weather, such as extreme cold, heat, or wind

• Smoking

• Chronic stress

• Prolonged exposure to water, such as regularly taking very long baths

• Exfoliants

• Harsh skin care and personal care ingredients

• Friction on the skin

• Hard tap water

• Chlorine in swimming pools

• Poor diet, particularly one low in healthy fats

• Certain medications, such as cholesterol-lowering statins

If your skin feels dry, tight, or itchy and/or appears dull, rough, or red, you likely have barrier damage. 

Whether you are struggling with a damaged skin barrier on its own or also in conjunction with rosacea, inflammation plays a central role in your symptoms and also the best treatments. Thus, inflammation is both a cause and a consequence of an impaired skin barrier. When the skin barrier is damaged, it allows irritants, allergens, and microbes to penetrate more easily, triggering an immune response that leads to inflammation. In turn, this inflammation further disrupts the barrier, creating a cycle of damage and irritation.

For those with rosacea, inflammation can be triggered much more easily, which can disrupt the skin’s barrier and lead to this cyclical effect of symptoms. Because of this, it is crucial to “turn off” these inflammatory responses so that your skin can heal.

There are many ways to reduce inflammation and restore a healthy skin barrier:

• Soothing skin care products such as Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer, Zerafite Creamy Cleanser, and pure organic argan oil can help to reduce redness and inflammation while also restoring important lipids to the skin barrier.

• Do not exfoliate damaged skin.

• Do not take very hot showers or wash your face with very hot water. Use room temperature water instead.

• Never put your face in an ice bath.

• Avoid using chemical sunscreens on your face unless you spend hours outdoors in the sun.

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Foods like salmon, berries, walnuts, and many others are anti-inflammatory. Avoid inflammatory foods like sugary drinks, fried foods, and ultra-processed foods.

• Make sure your skin care routine is right for your skin type. Using the wrong products and ingredients can damage the skin barrier and make redness or stinging worse.

You can view a full list of anti-inflammatory skin care ingredients in the SkinTypeSolutions Ingredient Dictionary. A few of the most common and effective include:

• Allantoin

• Almond oil

• Aloe Vera

• Argan Oil

• Chamomile

• Cucumber

• Evening primrose oil

• Fever few

• Grapeseed Oil

• Green tea

• Linoleic acid

• Niacinamide

• Portulaca Oleracea Extract

• Resveratrol

• Salicylic acid

The best anti-inflammatory skin care products will depend on which of the 16 skin types you are. As a general guide, however, below are a few favorite anti-inflammatory skin care products:

A damaged skin barrier and rosacea can go hand-in-hand, and the common underlying issue for both is inflammation. By taking steps to reduce inflammation – such as using soothing skin care ingredients and avoiding exfoliants – you can help to promote a healthy skin barrier and reduce symptoms like dryness, itching, stinging, and redness.

If you don’t already know your skin type, take the quiz below to find out so that you can receive a customized skin care regimen that is right for your skin.

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