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Beauty Front Benchers

Skin barrier superheroes your skin will love

By
Tatiana Dias
3
min read
Skin
Skin barrier superheroes your skin will love
Skin barrier superheroes your skin will love
Read More
Beauty Front Benchers
Skin

Skin barrier superheroes your skin will love

By
Tatiana Dias
By
Tatiana Dias
Beauty Front Benchers
Skin
3
Min read
Give your barrier some TLC with these ingredients
Skin barrier superheroes your skin will love

In the past, skincare focused on a problem-solving approach. However, in the course of treating a specific concern, a key element to healthy skin was often ignored—the skin’s barrier. Owing to the overuse of active ingredients, the skincare routine that was once meant to leave you with radiant skin simply did the opposite. Why? Because of a compromised barrier.

Whether you’re dealing with sensitivity, dryness, acne breakouts, or inflammation and redness, this barrier plays an important role in maintaining your skin’s overall health. Think of it as the first line of defense that halos the outer layer of your skin. Formally known as the stratum corneum, these soldiers lock in the good (read: moisture) and keep out the bad (read: environmental aggressors).

A healthy skin barrier protects the skin and pollutants, dirt, and bacteria from penetrating through and causing any internal cell damage. It’s the solution to treating many skin woes.

The Formularx Barrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer (50g)
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d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser (50ml)
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Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics With SPF 50+ PA++++ (50 ml)
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It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Toner (150ml)
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Bioderma Cicabio Arnica+ Sos Soothing Cream (40ml)
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Plum 1% Oat & Allantoin All-day Nourishing Cream (50g)
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Foxtale 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Olive Leaf Extract (30ml)
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ONE THING Niacinamide 10% (150ml)
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Neemli Naturals Turmeric Root & Olive Squalane Elixir (30ml)
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The Formularx
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The Formularx Barrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer (50g)

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1108202
d'you
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d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser (50ml)

5 moisturisers that the Tira editors are currently obsessing over
Avanti Dalal
Skin type: Very dry

“My skin has always been very dry, so a good, heavy-duty moisturiser is a non-negotiable in my routine. I’ve tried many promising formulas, but this multitasking d’you moisturiser beats almost all of them. It contains a bunch of different ceramides to fortify the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. It feels instantly soothing and has also made my skin less prone to dryness and dehydration over time. The best part is that the texture feels super light to use and does not leave any greasy residue that’s sometimes common with richer moisturisers.”

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1143221
Beauty of Joseon
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Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics With SPF 50+ PA++++ (50 ml)

In case you haven’t already come across this one, a quick Google search will reveal just how popular the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen is. The internet is filled with glowing reviews of this breakthrough product, with dermats and influencers raving about its creamy, lightweight texture that seems to just melt into your skin. Great for oily or acne-prone skin, the sunscreen is supercharged with niacinamide to control excess sebum and minimise pores—ensuring that it never leaves a greasy residue that is often associated with sunblock. Besides, it’s infused with rice bran extracts and probiotics to leave your skin adequately hydrated and dewy, while also fortifying your skin barrier.
Instagram made me buy it: 7 K-beauty picks to cop now
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It's Skin
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It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Toner (150ml)

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Minimalist
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Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum for Glowing Skin Intense Hydration & Fines Lines - (30ml)

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Bioderma
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Bioderma Cicabio Arnica+ Sos Soothing Cream (40ml)

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Plum
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Plum 1% Oat & Allantoin All-day Nourishing Cream (50g)

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Foxtale
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Foxtale 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Olive Leaf Extract (30ml)

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ONE THING
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ONE THING Niacinamide 10% (150ml)

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Neemli Naturals
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Neemli Naturals Turmeric Root & Olive Squalane Elixir (30ml)

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Healthy vs unhealthy skin barrier

A healthy skin barrier will often present itself as a smooth, even-toned complexation that is void of any redness or inflammation. On the other hand, an unhealthy skin barrier shows signs of trauma—sensitivity, inflammation, redness and hyperpigmentation. Due to the lack of hydration and moisture, you can experience more breakouts and congestion. If you’ve got dry skin, you’ll even notice flakiness.  

If you have signs of an unhealthy skin barrier, don’t worry, all is not lost yet. There is a fix—incorporating the right ingredients into your routine can slowly and steadily help restore and strengthen your skin’s barrier. Of course, you must remember that this isn’t an overnight cure. You have to stick to your routine to see results. Here are some of the best ingredients for a damaged skin barrier.  

#1: Ceramides

Think of ceramides as the cement between your cells. It holds down the fort, making it one of the most important components of your skin. The lipids help strengthen the skin’s barrier, hydrate the skin, and even prevent moisture loss from occurring. This leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy.

Tira Recommends:
The Formularx Barrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer
d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser

#2: Probiotics

Probiotics help balance out your skin’s pH levels by feeding healthy bacteria to the skin. This helps with free radical damage and other environmental stress, and can simultaneously treat other skin concerns like acne, eczema, and extremely dry skin.

Tira Recommends:
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics With SPF 50+ PA++++

#3: Hyaluronic Acid

One of the most popular skincare ingredients for hydration, hyaluronic acid helps regenerate your skin’s natural lipids. It is known for being a humectant which means it holds and retains moisture in the skin effectively and therefore helps repair and strengthen the cells in your skin’s barrier.

Tira Recommends:
It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Toner
Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid + PGA with Face Serum For Deep, Multilevel Hydration

#4: Glycerin

An age-old ingredient for hydration, glycerin helps restore your skin’s barrier by stimulating the production of natural lipids and ceramides. Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin too is a humectant and locks in moisture. It helps repair the skin’s barrier and even reduces any sort of inflammation.

Tira Recommends:
Bioderma Cicabio Arnica+ Sos Soothing Cream

#5: Allantoin

Made popular by K-beauty, allantoin is known for its soothing and moisturising properties. A naturally occurring compound, allantoin not only keeps the skin hydrated but also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which works perfectly for a compromised skin barrier.  

Tira Recommends:
Plum 1% Oat & Allantoin All-day Nourishing Cream

#6: Niacinamide

Looking for a skin saviour? Niacinamide is the multi-tasking superhero you need. It boosts the production of ceramides in the skin, in turn repairing and strengthening the barrier. Niacinamide also helps control and regulate oil production, brightens the skin, and reduces the appearance of large pores.

Tira Recommends:
Foxtale 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Olive Leaf Extract
ONE THING Niacinamide 10%

#7: Squalane

A derivative of squalene—an ingredient naturally present in your skin—squalane easily absorbs into the skin, nourishes it, and helps replenish a damaged barrier. The result? Skin that’s soft, smooth, supple, and extremely hydrated.

Tira Recommends:
Neemli Naturals Turmeric Root & Olive Squalane Elixir
No items found.

Healthy vs unhealthy skin barrier

A healthy skin barrier will often present itself as a smooth, even-toned complexation that is void of any redness or inflammation. On the other hand, an unhealthy skin barrier shows signs of trauma—sensitivity, inflammation, redness and hyperpigmentation. Due to the lack of hydration and moisture, you can experience more breakouts and congestion. If you’ve got dry skin, you’ll even notice flakiness.  

If you have signs of an unhealthy skin barrier, don’t worry, all is not lost yet. There is a fix—incorporating the right ingredients into your routine can slowly and steadily help restore and strengthen your skin’s barrier. Of course, you must remember that this isn’t an overnight cure. You have to stick to your routine to see results. Here are some of the best ingredients for a damaged skin barrier.  

#1: Ceramides

Think of ceramides as the cement between your cells. It holds down the fort, making it one of the most important components of your skin. The lipids help strengthen the skin’s barrier, hydrate the skin, and even prevent moisture loss from occurring. This leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy.

Tira Recommends:
The Formularx Barrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer
d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser

#2: Probiotics

Probiotics help balance out your skin’s pH levels by feeding healthy bacteria to the skin. This helps with free radical damage and other environmental stress, and can simultaneously treat other skin concerns like acne, eczema, and extremely dry skin.

Tira Recommends:
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics With SPF 50+ PA++++

#3: Hyaluronic Acid

One of the most popular skincare ingredients for hydration, hyaluronic acid helps regenerate your skin’s natural lipids. It is known for being a humectant which means it holds and retains moisture in the skin effectively and therefore helps repair and strengthen the cells in your skin’s barrier.

Tira Recommends:
It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Toner
Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid + PGA with Face Serum For Deep, Multilevel Hydration

#4: Glycerin

An age-old ingredient for hydration, glycerin helps restore your skin’s barrier by stimulating the production of natural lipids and ceramides. Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin too is a humectant and locks in moisture. It helps repair the skin’s barrier and even reduces any sort of inflammation.

Tira Recommends:
Bioderma Cicabio Arnica+ Sos Soothing Cream

#5: Allantoin

Made popular by K-beauty, allantoin is known for its soothing and moisturising properties. A naturally occurring compound, allantoin not only keeps the skin hydrated but also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which works perfectly for a compromised skin barrier.  

Tira Recommends:
Plum 1% Oat & Allantoin All-day Nourishing Cream

#6: Niacinamide

Looking for a skin saviour? Niacinamide is the multi-tasking superhero you need. It boosts the production of ceramides in the skin, in turn repairing and strengthening the barrier. Niacinamide also helps control and regulate oil production, brightens the skin, and reduces the appearance of large pores.

Tira Recommends:
Foxtale 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Olive Leaf Extract
ONE THING Niacinamide 10%

#7: Squalane

A derivative of squalene—an ingredient naturally present in your skin—squalane easily absorbs into the skin, nourishes it, and helps replenish a damaged barrier. The result? Skin that’s soft, smooth, supple, and extremely hydrated.

Tira Recommends:
Neemli Naturals Turmeric Root & Olive Squalane Elixir

No items found.

No items found.
About

Healthy vs unhealthy skin barrier

A healthy skin barrier will often present itself as a smooth, even-toned complexation that is void of any redness or inflammation. On the other hand, an unhealthy skin barrier shows signs of trauma—sensitivity, inflammation, redness and hyperpigmentation. Due to the lack of hydration and moisture, you can experience more breakouts and congestion. If you’ve got dry skin, you’ll even notice flakiness.  

If you have signs of an unhealthy skin barrier, don’t worry, all is not lost yet. There is a fix—incorporating the right ingredients into your routine can slowly and steadily help restore and strengthen your skin’s barrier. Of course, you must remember that this isn’t an overnight cure. You have to stick to your routine to see results. Here are some of the best ingredients for a damaged skin barrier.  

#1: Ceramides

Think of ceramides as the cement between your cells. It holds down the fort, making it one of the most important components of your skin. The lipids help strengthen the skin’s barrier, hydrate the skin, and even prevent moisture loss from occurring. This leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy.

Tira Recommends:
The Formularx Barrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer
d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser

#2: Probiotics

Probiotics help balance out your skin’s pH levels by feeding healthy bacteria to the skin. This helps with free radical damage and other environmental stress, and can simultaneously treat other skin concerns like acne, eczema, and extremely dry skin.

Tira Recommends:
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics With SPF 50+ PA++++

#3: Hyaluronic Acid

One of the most popular skincare ingredients for hydration, hyaluronic acid helps regenerate your skin’s natural lipids. It is known for being a humectant which means it holds and retains moisture in the skin effectively and therefore helps repair and strengthen the cells in your skin’s barrier.

Tira Recommends:
It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Toner
Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid + PGA with Face Serum For Deep, Multilevel Hydration

#4: Glycerin

An age-old ingredient for hydration, glycerin helps restore your skin’s barrier by stimulating the production of natural lipids and ceramides. Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin too is a humectant and locks in moisture. It helps repair the skin’s barrier and even reduces any sort of inflammation.

Tira Recommends:
Bioderma Cicabio Arnica+ Sos Soothing Cream

#5: Allantoin

Made popular by K-beauty, allantoin is known for its soothing and moisturising properties. A naturally occurring compound, allantoin not only keeps the skin hydrated but also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which works perfectly for a compromised skin barrier.  

Tira Recommends:
Plum 1% Oat & Allantoin All-day Nourishing Cream

#6: Niacinamide

Looking for a skin saviour? Niacinamide is the multi-tasking superhero you need. It boosts the production of ceramides in the skin, in turn repairing and strengthening the barrier. Niacinamide also helps control and regulate oil production, brightens the skin, and reduces the appearance of large pores.

Tira Recommends:
Foxtale 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Olive Leaf Extract
ONE THING Niacinamide 10%

#7: Squalane

A derivative of squalene—an ingredient naturally present in your skin—squalane easily absorbs into the skin, nourishes it, and helps replenish a damaged barrier. The result? Skin that’s soft, smooth, supple, and extremely hydrated.

Tira Recommends:
Neemli Naturals Turmeric Root & Olive Squalane Elixir
The Formularx Barrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer (50g)
The Formularx
1128180
Know More
d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser (50ml)
d'you
1108202
Know More
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics With SPF 50+ PA++++ (50 ml)
Beauty of Joseon
1143221
Know More
It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Toner (150ml)
It's Skin
1130929
Know More
Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum for Glowing Skin Intense Hydration & Fines Lines - (30ml)
Minimalist
Know More
Bioderma Cicabio Arnica+ Sos Soothing Cream (40ml)
Bioderma
901433
Know More
Plum 1% Oat & Allantoin All-day Nourishing Cream (50g)
Plum
1107473
Know More
Foxtale 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Olive Leaf Extract (30ml)
Foxtale
1132065
Know More
ONE THING Niacinamide 10% (150ml)
ONE THING
1023450
Know More
Neemli Naturals Turmeric Root & Olive Squalane Elixir (30ml)
Neemli Naturals
Know More

Healthy vs unhealthy skin barrier

A healthy skin barrier will often present itself as a smooth, even-toned complexation that is void of any redness or inflammation. On the other hand, an unhealthy skin barrier shows signs of trauma—sensitivity, inflammation, redness and hyperpigmentation. Due to the lack of hydration and moisture, you can experience more breakouts and congestion. If you’ve got dry skin, you’ll even notice flakiness.  

If you have signs of an unhealthy skin barrier, don’t worry, all is not lost yet. There is a fix—incorporating the right ingredients into your routine can slowly and steadily help restore and strengthen your skin’s barrier. Of course, you must remember that this isn’t an overnight cure. You have to stick to your routine to see results. Here are some of the best ingredients for a damaged skin barrier.  

#1: Ceramides

Think of ceramides as the cement between your cells. It holds down the fort, making it one of the most important components of your skin. The lipids help strengthen the skin’s barrier, hydrate the skin, and even prevent moisture loss from occurring. This leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy.

Tira Recommends:
The Formularx Barrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer
d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser

#2: Probiotics

Probiotics help balance out your skin’s pH levels by feeding healthy bacteria to the skin. This helps with free radical damage and other environmental stress, and can simultaneously treat other skin concerns like acne, eczema, and extremely dry skin.

Tira Recommends:
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics With SPF 50+ PA++++

#3: Hyaluronic Acid

One of the most popular skincare ingredients for hydration, hyaluronic acid helps regenerate your skin’s natural lipids. It is known for being a humectant which means it holds and retains moisture in the skin effectively and therefore helps repair and strengthen the cells in your skin’s barrier.

Tira Recommends:
It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Toner
Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid + PGA with Face Serum For Deep, Multilevel Hydration

#4: Glycerin

An age-old ingredient for hydration, glycerin helps restore your skin’s barrier by stimulating the production of natural lipids and ceramides. Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin too is a humectant and locks in moisture. It helps repair the skin’s barrier and even reduces any sort of inflammation.

Tira Recommends:
Bioderma Cicabio Arnica+ Sos Soothing Cream

#5: Allantoin

Made popular by K-beauty, allantoin is known for its soothing and moisturising properties. A naturally occurring compound, allantoin not only keeps the skin hydrated but also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which works perfectly for a compromised skin barrier.  

Tira Recommends:
Plum 1% Oat & Allantoin All-day Nourishing Cream

#6: Niacinamide

Looking for a skin saviour? Niacinamide is the multi-tasking superhero you need. It boosts the production of ceramides in the skin, in turn repairing and strengthening the barrier. Niacinamide also helps control and regulate oil production, brightens the skin, and reduces the appearance of large pores.

Tira Recommends:
Foxtale 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Olive Leaf Extract
ONE THING Niacinamide 10%

#7: Squalane

A derivative of squalene—an ingredient naturally present in your skin—squalane easily absorbs into the skin, nourishes it, and helps replenish a damaged barrier. The result? Skin that’s soft, smooth, supple, and extremely hydrated.

Tira Recommends:
Neemli Naturals Turmeric Root & Olive Squalane Elixir