Natural Ways to Care for Your Skin’s Barrier

The skin, the largest organ in the body, has an incredible ability to protect and nourish itself. It does so through its skin barrier, the incredibly important outermost layer of skin. This layer of skin, or stratum corneum, is composed of several layers of flattened dead cells held together by lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. These cells are shed and replaced by newer cells from deep within this layer approximately every four weeks.

There’s a reason the skin’s barrier is often referred to as a “brick wall.” It’s responsible for protecting the skin from external elements and harmful pathogens—and preventing water and moisture from evaporating from within the skin.

When functioning optimally, the skin’s barrier is able to keep skin soft, smooth, hydrated, and radiant. If it has been compromised in any way, skin can become dry, scaly, dull, irritated, and have an increased susceptibility to infections and conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

What causes the skin barrier to become compromised?

Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can break down the skin’s barrier, triggering premature aging, redness, and skin cancer.

Using harsh products on your skin. Whether you’re over exfoliating or using products that are too strong or irritating for your skin (redness, irritation, and stinging are usually the first signs), the barrier can be compromised leading to moisture loss, dryness, and further irritation.

Aging. As we get older, the natural lipids in the skin decline by up to 65%, making the skin more prone to dryness, irritation, and infection.

Environmental exposure. Extreme temperatures and conditions can wreak havoc on the skin’s barrier, causing dry, chapped lips and flaky, rough skin.

Stress. Prolonged stress can affect all aspects of the body, including the skin. That’s because stress triggers a release of hormones like cortisol that can decrease lipids in the skin and increase water loss, allowing the skin’s barrier to become more penetrable to irritants and even allergens. Stress can also increase inflammation in the skin, worsening conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

How to protect and nourish your skin’s barrier, naturally.

When using natural, plant-based ingredients synergistic with the skin’s natural lipids and oils—like those found in our Pharmacopia better-for-you body care products—the skin is able to stay hydrated, nourished, and radiant. The gentle ingredients carefully selected for our products work with the skin and its barrier instead of against it. These include:

Aloe vera: A soothing gel-like ingredient from a cactus-like plant, aloe is renowned for its hydrating and healing properties. It contains compounds that promote healing and reduce inflammation, making it ideal for repairing a compromised skin barrier (e.g., after too much sun exposure). Aloe also has natural antimicrobial properties, which help to support the skin’s barrier in preventing infection.

You can find this healing ingredient in our gentle body washes, as well as our all-natural shampoos and conditioners, which can help soothe an irritated scalp.

Argan oil: Rich in fatty acids, argan oil has been shown—when applied topically—to improve skin elasticity and skin hydration by restoring barrier function. From the kernels of the argan fruit, argan oil is also rich in vitamins A, C, and E, all important for the health of the skin and the scalp.

This plant-based hydrator plays a starring role in our Argan Oil Collection, which is used in Hyatt hotels nationwide.

Coconut oil: Extracted from coconuts, coconut oil is rich in the same fatty acids found in the skin’s barrier. Research has shown that using coconut oil topically has been shown to improve the skin’s barrier function. It’s also super hydrating, making it doubly effective for overall skin health—why we mix it into our Body Washes and Citrus and Verbena Shampoo and Conditioner.

Hemp seed oil: Extracted from the hemp plant, hemp seed oil is rich in linoleic acid and fatty acids—both critical components of the skin’s lipid barrier. Using hemp seed oil for the skin helps to fortify the skin’s barrier, helping the skin to retain moisture and preventing dryness, irritation, and inflammation.

Try hemp seed oil in our bestselling 100% vegan Tangerine Lip Elixir, which has been formulated to help support the lips’ ability to withstand dry air and other harsh conditions.

Jojoba oil: This oil from the seeds of the jojoba shrub, closely resembles the oil, or sebum, produced by the skin. As a result, it’s absorbed easily into the skin through the skin barrier. Jojoba oil is also rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, supporting the lipids already present in the skin and helping to prevent water loss through the skin. Jojoba oil is an anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe irritated skin and preventing further irritation. It also has natural antimicrobial properties which help to fortify the skin’s natural barrier defenses.

Find nourishing jojoba oil in all our natural body care products, except our Body Bars, which contain their own hydrating mix of skin-barrier-protecting natural ingredients like shea butter.

Shea butter: We like to call shea butter a wonder ingredient for skin and hair for good reason! Shea butter, from the nuts of the shea tree, is loaded with fatty acids and vitamins A and E, which help to nourish and moisturize the skin. But shea butter goes a step further; it adds a protective layer to the skin that helps fortify the skin’s barrier, locking in moisture and promoting skin healing. Shea butter is also a natural anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe the skin and calming irritation and redness.

These are all reasons why shea butter is a key ingredient in our Body Bars, Conditioners, Body Lotions, and our Tangerine Lip Elixir, which is phenomenal for helping to nourish and protect the lips.

Fact: While the lips do have a skin barrier, it’s weaker and more delicate than the barrier on other areas of the skin. This is because lip skin is incredibly thin and has no oil glands, making it even more important to apply the right products like our Lip Elixir to protect and nourish the lips.

Incorporating plant-based oils and butters into your skincare routine can help provide the support your skin barrier needs. By promoting hydration, protecting against irritants, and restoring skin balance, these natural ingredients help ensure that your skin remains healthy, hydrated, and radiant—no matter what the season or elements you’re exposed to.