Jeisys Medical

The season when cold wind and indoor heating begin simultaneously is when the skin sends out its first signals.

If your usual cream is not absorbing well, redness is frequent, and your skin is unusually sensitive, it signals the collapse of the skin barrier.

Many people only consider dryness to be the problem, but in reality, reduced elasticity, sensitivity, breakouts, and dryness appear all at once when the skin's 'primary structure' is weakened.

In other words, the skin's ability to accept products and withstand irritation depends entirely on the recovery state of the skin barrier.

Now, during a period with more skin variables than any other season, the top priority for your skincare routine is rebuilding the barrier.

Table of Contents

• Trend 1. What is the Skin Barrier?
• Trend 2. Factors That Break Down the Barrier and Their Impact
• Trend 3. Core Routine for Strengthening the Skin Barrier
• Trend 4. Habits and Ingredients Weak Barriers Should Avoid
• Trend 5. Daily Routine & Tips for Skin Barrier Enhancement

Trend 1. What is the Skin Barrier?

The skin barrier is a structure created by the stratum corneum (the bricks), the outermost layer of the skin, and the intercellular lipids (the cement) that fill the spaces between them.

These lipids are primarily composed of ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids. When these three are in the correct ratio, the skin can stably retain moisture and protect itself.

Many people think of the skin barrier as a simple protective film, but it is actually a core system that governs moisture retention, external stimulus defense, skin regeneration speed, and elasticity maintenance.

When the skin barrier is robust, the skin maintains a stable state and remains unaffected by irritants. However, when the barrier weakens, the skin easily collapses with minor changes.

In short, this barrier is the benchmark that determines the effectiveness of all skincare.

Trend 2. Factors That Break Down the Barrier and Their Impact

Skin barrier breakdown is not caused by simple dryness alone.

Four major factors work together:

① Genetic Vulnerability
If the natural lipid composition ratio is low, the skin barrier is easily damaged by minor irritation.

② Excessive Cleansing and Irritating Routines
Alkaline cleansers, SLS-type surfactants, and cleansing multiple times a day rapidly deplete the barrier's lipid layer. This impact is particularly severe in winter.

③ Environmental Changes and Stress
When humidity drops below 30% due to heating, moisture evaporation increases dramatically, causing the stratum corneum to separate. Fine dust and UV rays cause oxidative stress, leading to repeated barrier damage.

④ Incorrect Cosmetic Choices
Products containing fragrances, preservatives, or irritating oils cause inflammatory reactions in compromised skin, making skin barrier recovery more difficult.

When this skin barrier breakdown is repeated, it ultimately leads to the following sequence:

Increased Moisture Evaporation → Increased Sensitivity → Worsened Fine Lines → Reduced Regeneration → Chronic Dryness → Hyper-Reaction to External Stimuli.

This is why, when the skin barrier is compromised, it is difficult for any other type of care to work properly.

Trend 3. Core Routine for Strengthening the Skin Barrier

Skin barrier recovery must follow several important principles.

1. Low-Irritation Cleansing Habits
   Using a low pH 5~6 cleanser, washing within 60 seconds, and using lukewarm water are the most stable ways to preserve barrier lipids and maintain the skin's natural pH. If your barrier is weak, a cream-type cleanser is more beneficial than foam.
2. Barrier Lipid Supplementation
   Ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids are key ingredients that act as the 'cement' of the barrier. Products with a balanced combination of these quickly accelerate skin barrier recovery and restore the skin's inherent elasticity and moisturizing ability.
3. 3-Step Moisturizing Structure
   ① Humectants – Glycerin, Urea, Hyaluronic Acid
   ② Emollients – Plant-based oils, Squalane
   ③ Occlusives – Lanolin, Mineral Oil
   All three steps must be included to maintain moisture on both the skin surface and within the skin.
4. Temperature Management & Absorption-Aiding Routine
   Since absorption is poor in winter, using the warmth of your palms for absorption or applying a steam towel for 1 minute significantly boosts the speed of barrier recovery.

Trend 4. Habits and Ingredients Weak Barriers Should Avoid

The typical habits that repeatedly cause skin barrier breakdown are as follows:

• Washing with hot water
• Frequent peeling or scrubbing
• Strong surfactants (SLS/SLES)
• Products high in fragrance or preservatives
• Irritating UV products based on chemical filters
• Excessive alcohol consumption and severe temperature changes

Physical scrubbing when the barrier is damaged leads to a vicious cycle where micro-injuries accumulate, recovery time is prolonged, and the barrier becomes thinner.

Trend 5. Daily Routine & Tips for Skin Barrier Enhancement

● Maintain 40~50% Humidity: Compromised skin is highly sensitive to humidity changes, so indoor environmental management is essential.

● Control Layering Speed: Ensuring 30 to 60 seconds of absorption time between product steps maximizes barrier recovery efficiency.

● Product Pre-Testing: The higher the sensitivity, the safer it is to use the product after a patch test on the inner arm.

● Establish a Barrier-First Routine: Building the barrier first is more effective in the long run than tackling issues like breakouts, elasticity, or brightening immediately.

● Monitor Skin Condition: If tightness, redness, and roughness are repeated, the entire routine must be reorganized around 'barrier recovery.'

The skin barrier is the structure that determines the lifetime health of your skin.

Skin barrier recovery is not just simple moisturizing; it is the process of rebuilding the foundation for the skin to regenerate itself.

The more stable the barrier is, the less the skin is affected by the external environment, and wrinkle, elasticity, and radiance care also work much more effectively.

Ultimately, the beginning and end of healthy skin is the skin barrier.

Small daily habits accumulate to slow the speed of skin aging and increase recovery power.

In this unpredictable season, the first thing to protect is the skin barrier.