How I Healed My Moisture Barrier | Tips and Tricks For a Damaged Barrier 

This video is like therapy for me right now. I am really going through it right now with a broken skin barrier from retinoids. It’s so hard and painful and every day feels like a nightmare. I hope I can heal mine too.

Gold standard for moisture barrier: Ceramides, fatty-acids, and cholesterol. Stratia Liquid Gold

This video is sooo perfect in time. I have many products to try and can relate to the anxiety of trying everything as quick as possible, now I will be cautious, thanks

Kelly, I went through the same thing with congestion on my cheeks. Long story short, it cleared after 3 years of drying my skin out with products and finally repairing my barrier so my skin could heal and respond to active ingredients in a smart way. You are so knowledgeable and have wonderful suggestions that I’m eager to add to my routine. Thank you, especially, for explaining to me how to identify oils that will be beneficial for my skin. Your information is so timely and I’m very grateful.

Thank you this was such a great video! My skin was so clear until a few months ago. I started over exfoliating and not realizing it (using The Ordinary AHA BHA peel weekly among other things). I was destroying my moisture barrier. I have been having new break outs for months not realizing what the problem was. Of course I treated them with harsh actives to get rid of them but it only made them worse. I hope when I start my new gentle hydrating routine that my skin will clear up. I miss having clear skin 😔😭

The timing of this video couldn’t be more perfect!! I’ve been trying to heal my barrier and just couldn’t stop spot treating my acne breakouts with exfoliants during the process. Thanks for reiterating how important it is to just drop it lol

Totally hear you. I damaged my moisture barrier the same way.

I'm so glad I found this video. It's very informative and helpful.

I just had a few blemishes before. So, I bought a TON of korean skincare and use it and exfoliate like crazy. Aha, bha, bp, vit C.. everything.. now my skin is filled with closed comodones and is far worse than before. I will take your advice and stop everything! Thank you so much for your advice!

For a long time I suffered with acne and I have tired everything and seen multiple dermatologist too but nothing worked until I came across your channel and saw your video about damaged skin and everything you said about the sign and symptoms of damaged skin I have it and tired some of of the products that you recommend and have seen great results. When all this while I thought I had acne but it was just that I had over done my skin with acne medication and over exfoliated my skin . Thanks A ton for your sharing your story and for helping . Keep it up .sending you lots of love .💕and wishing you all the best .

Your video has been a life saver for me!! Couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m am going through something very similar and your video has not only helped the actual problem, I followed some of your advice and am already seeing progress. But it has also helped me mentally. I’m not a patient person when it comes to skin problems that arise and I was feeling very defeated. After hearing your story and hearing that it could take 4-8 weeks and REQUIRES patience, I took a deep breath and accepted that it’s just gonna take some time. Thank you SO much for sharing your story and advice. Me and my skin (and my sanity) really appreciate you ❤️

Always late to the party but my skins damaged (not through exfoliation, that actually scares me) but through misuse of harsh products and too acidic products. I'm almost a week into a new skincare routine full of ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, HA and Niacinamide. And for the first time in ages, my skin doesn't feel as angry? (still get incredibly hot and burning cheeks but the moment I hydrate and do my routine, they calm down). Thank you for this video honestly! 🙏

It's a struggle to find products for restoring skin barrier while struggling with fungal acne ugh 😭 am I the only one facing two at a time? 😭

I love this. Im almost 5 months on Differin and while it cleared up my skin. My skin has gotten dehydrated. Im stopping it now to focus on healing my skin.

Ceramides are amazing for the skin! Also when your skin is that damage as well the less products the better, and she said it being patient.

I damagedre barrier using retinol and vitamin c too much. I stopped everything except using a mild clenser, jojoba oil and a face cream with dimethicone to lock in the moisture. My skin healed in about 3 weeks...

I love your skin barrier series ♡

Currently going through the same thing due to chemical exfoliation. Thanks for the video. My skin does hate me right now but I’m trying to look after it.

This is such a great video! Ive also done a lottttt of research which youve just all confirmed. This vid should have wayyy more likes and views ;)

Finally.... someone who has been through similar experiences I have been though. Gives me a little hope

Thank youuu! I'm going learn to be patient for my skin to heal!

I find that washing my face with just water with aveeno oatmeal bath treatment helps especially mornings, I will add aveeno oats to my water to soften my hard water. I don't do this all the time only when my skin is needing extra tlc. Don't rinse the aveeno off but use your moisturiser on damp skin.

Thank you much! Your video is very informative as always. Can you please make a Video about how to improve orange peel texture skin?? My skin damage has literally ruined my life..

Skin saver video 100/10 Last summer at this same time I was so desperate because I was breaking out and I didn't know what to do so I would physically exfoliate TWICE A DAY. I damaged it so much, and my skin is dry, it's never been oily my entire life, so it was more prone to being damaged. That's when I REALLY started getting into skincare. Not just products, but the way our skin works and why these things are happening and how our skin reacts. Currently my skin is still a bit damaged but not as much as It used to. My acne and pigmentatiom on cheeks has gotten worse, but that's because I haven't exfoliated for over 2 months so heh. But my skin doesn't burn anymore yaY! Still on the look for the perfect chemical exfoliator..

Amen on PATIENCE sister! My skin was damaged when I used ALL of The Body Shop’s Tea Tree line in a 10-step K skincare routine. My WHOLE FACE was covered in inflamed and cystic acne. I was just shattered emotionally, physically, psychologically and FINANCIALLY 😭😭😭 I stopped it immediately and when I discovered Liah Yoo’s channel and her #skincarediet philosophy, I opt for using only the BASICS (cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen). One year has passed and now my skin is better but still suffering from acne marks and PIH. But, I couldn’t ask for more, thinking back to what my skin looked like a year ago. Now that I feel like my barrier has somewhat gotten back its strength, I’m trying to introduce actives again (started with a Vit C derivative, then now on Niacinamide), but my routine is still consisted on more hydrating and barrier-building products. I’ve got a lot on my stash but I’m not rushing on trying all of them at once and I’m being MORE RESPONSIBLE by not buying more of what I already have. 😊 hope this helps anyone lurking on the comments lol 🤗

I’ve been doing a similar process to heal my skin moisture barrier for about a year and it’s looking much much better…but now I’m back to breakouts without exfoliation. Do you have a video of what you did next in your daily skincare? Thank you!

Listening to the last bit, it's so amazing to hear someone say the words that I say all the time, I get like argh I have to do something then I regret it, and I knew it, and if you had done that sooner you wouldn't be helping nannas like me 😉😊 I also have been diagnosed with body dysmorphia, it was there when my skin was happy, but my skin condition was sudden random and 5 derms, don't know what it it, but I have a gut feeling that my moisture barrier was damaged which left my face open to more and more damage 🤦 now it's been 6 to 7 years, I went from being a loving free spirit who loved being with people to barely leaving the house, I have 3 support workers and 2 psychologists 😔 it was the very top of a giant iceberg, so people like you are shining stars in the lives of people like me, fingers crossed, I have 6 grandchildren to get better for, 🙋🕊️.

Finnaly! My congested skin is saved! Great video as always

New favorite Chanel for skin care😉

Thank you so much for this advice I recently started skincare and I already faild with the cleanser and now my face is dry, rough and sensitive

I have a damaged moisture barrier right now for the first time 😩 it is definitely not fun! But I got products that fit your ingredients recommendations so I am starting them tonight 🤞

Hi ! Out of many skincare guru out there, you are my most fav .. your reviews are so pure i keep on buying the products you mentioned , just bought myself cosrx snail and cosrx honey mask for my mom ! ❤️❤️❤️

This video is serendipity for me! Yesterday, I had my initial extreme red, burning face reaction that you talked about. My face has been on fire all day yesterday and still is now. I viewed several RU-vid posts from trusted skin care bloggers and dermatologists. This morning I only washed my face with water and put on a safe moisturizer with the trinity for moisture barrier repair and rebuilding. I am going to take it very very slow and not add anything back too quickly. So, thank you for you great post!

This is so incredibly helpful! I’m so glad I found this

This really does hit me, the mental aspect and how it makes you feel so thank you! I will keep patience and hydration as first steps!

Hi Kelly. I’m dealing with a damaged skin barrier and trying to nourish my skin back to health. Sometimes I find that my products don’t easily sink in and sit on top of my skin as my barrier is damaged. Is this a side effect of a damaged skin barrier?

Thank you !! I finally know what's wrong with .y skin I also damaged my skin with BHA my skin looked like it ages so much in so little time now I know that I'll be ok and I'll repair and take care of my skin now

Thank you for this! I’ve spent almost 3 years trying to figure out my skin.. I will definitely use this video and info to try to heal my barrier and see wonderful skin! 🤞

This video is gold! Thank you

Very nicely explained Kelly. Just my situation right now trying to use everything together. So glad I found this in my suggested list ❤️

Oh my gosh, it's so nice to know I'm not the only way, you are open and very helpful, thank you, and also helpful is Sonia Anastasia and actually every male and female that shares their story, God bless all of you 🙏💞💞.

I'm really happy to find your channel and its really, really good and helpful contents, tho I think it is underrated because it deserves more attention and subscribers. Just wanna say thank you for sharing your knowledge, best practices, and experiences in skin care and total well-being. Looking forward to see more of your videos! Love sent from the Philippines~ ❤🌻💐❤🌸

Thank you so much for this video! Really helpful information. Not many people talk about this. U used so many products (including chemical exfoliation) and didn't understand why it wasn't working.

So, so helpful! Amazing info. Thanks, love🍃🌸.

after looking at probably HUNDREDS of videos and articles and reddit discussions . this video was by far a life savor . however i do have 1 question . i’m guilty of using chemical exfoliators way too often which as you can guess, caused my moisture barrier to be destroyed . I cut off majority of the possible irritating skin care items. But i have really really oily skin even before damaging my skin barrier . SO my question is how do you go without chemically exfoliating without having dead skin cells build up ( clogged pores or black heads ? ) i’ve had extremely oily skin my whole life even with a healthy skin barrier and i seem to be getting blackheads and clogged pores ESPECIALLY now that i’m not washing my face in the morning .

I think i damaged my already weak barrier by using pixi gloe tonic followed by a sheet mask with fragrance and phenoxyethanol and what not! Lesson to remember - follow chemical exfoliation with a soothing, fragrance free moisturizer or serum!

Hi Kelly, I hope this comment isn't too late for some of your quality feedback. I'm going to try keep it simple. My skin is severely dehydrated, dry, extremely tight and prone to redness itching and burning. I know my barrier is absolutely shot. Furthermore, it's winter now and my skin ALWAYS gets 5 times more tight and irritated in winter. The good news, I have healed my cystic acne. The complication is that I have closed comodones all over my face, especially on my cheeks and forehead - in certain lighting my skin looks like sandpaper. Because of these comodones I keep being told by dermatologists to use a chemical exfoliant to unblock the pores but every time I tried (I tried with glycolic acid) it irritated my skin so much more and made it even tighter and redder! However, whenever I tried to do the opposite by upping my occlusive moisturising, the comodones get worse. SO in short this is my confusion: If repairing my moisture barrier is meant to clear my skin then why do my comodones become more prominent when I increase hydration? I am so fed up with these skin issues as it affects my confidence so much - I know you understand this. I am so sick of having tight skin with so many fine lines when I am only 30 years old. What would you recommend? Should I switch up to what you have relayed in this video or should I focus on the comodones first? Thank you for your time and energy! Sending love from South Africa.

Just found your channel!!! I love it! Wow ❤️ great job hun

I've recently realized my skin has become dehydrated, to the point where I've been having the worst breakouts. I've never dealt with acne this way before, and before the past four months or so, my skin has been pretty great. I've even noticed loads of fine lines on my face that weren't there before. I used to get so many compliments on my skin and now it's so dull, cracked, and irritated....it makes me so insecure. The fine lines are the worst part for me because I'm still young and I don't want to look so aged. Will this problem become less noticeable if I begin correctly restoring my moister barrier? Also, would you recommend safflower oil as a facial oil? Thank you for this video.

I damaged my moisture barrier from scrubbing with salts daily ( so stupid) , using harsh acids and citrus and essential oils tanning too much . What set me over the edge was a high dose of hyaluronic acid . I literally burned off like two layers of my skin it seemed. My skin became like tissue paper and wrinkled at a touch , it’s that bad . I hear you when you say listen to your own skin and not what everyone says to use. So much hype around hyaluronic acid and it ruined my skin . I’m loosing hope though because I’ve tried it all , everything and two years later my skin is still bad getting worse and worse . I can’t find a moisturizer because everything irritates it because of the chemicals and everything recommended has hyaluronic acid which I absolutely cannot use , burns me every time . I’ve tried all recommended creams , I’ve tried natural oils , I don’t cleanse with cleaners anymore . Literally everything burns my face . I’ve spent thousands on over counter creams , expensive creams and Etsy homemade gentle creams without chemicals and nothing works . It allllll burns . I’ve tried all you said in this video too and you have great advice , what you say is all true because I’ve studied this a year , myself and it says to do what you’re talking about but yet nothing is healing my skin :(. I’m feeling as if I damaged my skin beyond repair and it’s probably time for a dermatologist or to get an operation or treatments . I’m so frustrated , even Rosé hip oil burns my skin , my skin doesn’t want anything it seems , but problem is when I just leave it alone and use nothing it gets so dry but yet it says no to every moisturizer I’ve tried it’s ridiculous! Ugh I’m so sad .... thank you for the video but even doing these steps I have no results :(

This was a great video, thank you so much for making it. I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and thoughts. I have a lot of the same problems and I look for good info about the skin barrier all the time. I totally agree with you about Liquid Gold. It’s awesome

Wow. Very informative & well articulated.

Hi! Not sure if this was asked anywhere, but what about Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore?

Omg i will try this..I hope it helps at least it all make sense now why I am having all the burned face after eating! Very Dry skin, red cheeks and almost swollen all the time with inflammation. All this due to a mistake made in my teenage years where i used full makeup and never washing my face in the evening! If this will work i bless u with all my heart

Great video 👍 information 👍

Oh man! It’s been a week and a half of no active ingredients and I can already tell it’s healing. My oil product is THROUGH THE ROOF like when I was 13 again. New problems to solve. 😂😂😂

This makeup look tutorial plz😍😍

Love it. The video is so helpful. Thank you so much

Wow, a huge blessing this is! I'm 52 going through menopause with similar skin you've described. I haven't watched your entire video, but does giving up chemical exfoliation include retinols/retin A?

This video is perfect for me at the moment. I will try all of your recommendation. Just a question, for a person who usually use chemical exfoliation, how do u control your blocked pores in this phase? any physical exfoliation?

You look gorgeous 😍😍

I really love your videos, very informative. New subbie 😊

I want to note that you can still use chemical exfoliation and repair a MB.. I use tretinoin (0.034%), AA (4%), and Niacinamide (5%), and my skin is looking amazing. When using tret, if you stop, the results will stop and reverse... So that's something to keep in mind. Use the lowest % of products as your skin can get away with whilst seeing results. I totally agree though, that if ones skin is terribly, terribly upset and in bad shape, pass on these for a while. :)

You look beautiful! I love your videos on damaged barrier repair. Have you tried the dermalogica power recovery mask? It's really nice when your skin is pissed off at you. That Cosrx balancium ceramide moisturizer would also be great for damages moisture barrier. Its super thick and very moisturizing. Can't wait for your next skincare video! Thank you for being super detailed and you're awesome!

Awesome! Thank you so much💝

Hi. Your suggestion to wash the face just once at night with a cleanser and with water only in the morning is pretty helpful. I have sensitive , combination skin with Rosacea type 2. Thank you.

Wow actually your eye makeup is so pretty too! Wha kind of eyeshadow is that?soooo sparkly 😍

Hi... azelaic acid is not a bha nor aha.. it's produced by a yeast that occurs naturally in our skin

Invest in a good humidifier. That's the most important thing for your skin way more than anything else

Omg currently going through this and the dermatologist thinks its rosacea, I tried the gel for rosacea and it made it even worse. I tried to explain to her that I had a facial that changed my skin to the worse

Idk does washing your face with a sponge and bar soap for 5 years straight damages your moisture barrier 😆 stoopid OCD teenager I was

You look gorgeous in this video, reminding me of Snowwhite 🥰 The video is amazing, very helpful, thank you! ☺️

so I need to stop using differin too?

Oh my god I’m really glad rn Cuz I assume I was just hurting my skin more and more with exfoliating (both chemically and physically) Thank you so much for this helpful and informative video I’m gonna let my skin just breathe for 2 month and I’ll tell you the results

You are amazing, saved my skin

yesterday I noticed my skin felt really tight, there was flaking around my nose ,temple, and mouth, everytime I put a moisturizer on it stung a little and after a few minutes my skin would go back to feeling dry and flaky, I'm about 90 percent sure my moisturizer barrier is damaged and I just want it to heal in 2 weeks

Soooo much info!!! Thank you for the tips!!!

Such important information!!! 👌👌👌👌👌

Hi Kelly, what were the symptoms of your damaged barrier? did you experience persistent redness along with bumpy texture?

Hi from Greece!!! I damaged my skin barrier using the famous red mask from ordinary, which is TOO STRONG!!! I am trying a whole year to calm it with suitable products...now i am a little better from irritation and dryness... B U T not even one make up suits on me, even these with maximum cover... literally my skin ABSORBS make up within an hour... does anyone has a same experience??? My make up disappeared in an hour...no matter how carefully i made it (primer, fixing spray)

I would love to know a little more about intuitive skincare! Trying to listen to my skin but I’m not sure what it’s telling me

Thank you for this video! My skin is badly breaking out and I’m worried I have a damaged skin barrier. I’m going to follow your video in hope my skin will stop breaking out. It’s very confusing though as I started retinol 3/4 weeks ago, and I’m alternating exfoliating acid and retinol in evenings. So I’m not sure if it’s skin barrier issues or the fact I’m using retinol 🤷🏻‍♀️

What red lip are you wearing? It’s very pretty.

Does the skin barrier always heal in the end from long term over-exfoliation? Or can the damage to your skin be permanent? And happy new year!

I’ve damaged my moisture barrier so much that I have sandpaper like patches on my face😤

Thank you for this video. really helping me

Can omega 3 supplement help skin barrier ?because i tried every product out there and notjing works ?

Hi kelly, im sure after 3 months of good skincare i finally strengthen my skin barrier. No active acne but acne marks are left. Want to use vitamin c serum for thise. Is vitamin c good or damaging to skin barrier?

hello kelly, regarding layering toners to fix the moisture barrier, how did u do it? did u pat dry skin until it was completely dry after cleansing and then put on the toners or did u dry the skin a little bit so that it was still damp and then apply the toners? also would an essence still be suitable in replacement of a toner in this step of putting back water into the skin because i know both toners and essence’s purpose is to hydrate the skin. also u stated that u used an oil after this step and then put on the barrier treatment which is a moisturizer, but from my understanding i’ve been told to go lightest to heaviest, which in this case, a moisturizer is water and oil, making it lighter than an oil, but u told us to use an oil first. i would appreciate a response regarding my questions thank u 😊

Omg thank you for this! Going through the same right now. 1st time my skin barrier has been compromised, and I can relate on most areas. I too did the chemical exfoliaters and actives. That combined with wasning twice a day when I never used to wash before was the top of the iceberg for my skin. Too much too soon. Hate my skin now. I was too eager trying out mew products, all at once, and because I normally have bery resistant skin, yet sensitive, I thought nothing would happen. Also because my skin had cleared and gotten so good using BHA toner, and other products. Then it went from beautiful to horrible. Hard lesson to learn! Btw what toner did you use during your healing period? Struggling to find any that is fragrance free, low PH, and without irritants like certain essential oils.

I thought face oil went on last after moisturizer? But you said to use it before?

Forgot to mention please review CICAPLAST BAUME B5 🙂 please

My toner becomes foamy when I pat it on......its been months....

Kelly if this happens to you too, please let me know... love from Greece 💕💕

You are such a gem on RU-vid! Great teacher!! Is retinol cream considered to be chemical exfoliation? What about vitamin c? I stopped using retinol, but I wasn’t sure about the vitamin c

Is there pictures of your damaged moisture barrier?

I love this video ! It's very relatable , I was almost on the verge of doing the same . I have a question though , in the middle of the day if I wash my face my skin gets dry immediately. Do you think this is a sign that I'm not using the right products for my dry skin ?

This video has been very helpful! I was wondering for breakouts do you think it is okay to use hydrocolloid patches with no type of other ingredient other than that? Thank you!

Thank you so so so so so so so MUCH!!!!! 😘

It's not just the acne scars on my face. It's the overall skin on my body covered with acne scars and keratosis pilaris. I'm so mentally tired of this :(