Ask the Esthetician: How to Care for Your Skin’s Moisture Barrier

Written by OSEA Staff | Published October 18, 2024

In this edition of “Ask the Esthetician,” we sat down with Viktoria, our lead esthetician at our Venice Skincare Studio, to dive into everything you need to know about your skin’s moisture barrier. From understanding its role to learning how to repair it, Viktoria breaks down the most frequently asked questions on the topic.

Viktoria, Lead Esthetician at the OSEA Venice Skincare Studio

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What exactly is the skin’s moisture barrier, and why is it so important?

Viktoria: The moisture barrier—also called the stratum corneum in science-terms—is the outermost layer of your skin. It’s what keeps hydration in and blocks out the bad guys, like bacteria, pollutants, and environmental stressors. It’s basically our skin’s first line of defense, so it’s super important to keep it strong and healthy!

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What are the signs that my moisture barrier might be compromised?

Viktoria: You might notice some key changes in your skin. Ask yourself the following questions, and if you answer ‘yes’ to any, your moisture barrier may need some TLC:

• Is your skin feeling rough or peeling?
• Do you notice excess oil production?
• Does your skin feel tight, parched, itchy, or uncomfortable?
• Are you experiencing more sensitivity than usual?
• Is your t-zone oily, but the rest of your skin is dry?

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If my moisture barrier is compromised, what should I do?

Viktoria: The first step is to load up on hydration. You’ll want to look for ingredients that help replenish the barrier, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and Japanese Miru seaweed—all of which are in our Hyaluronic Sea Serum. The serum also has snow mushroom, which creates a layer on the skin to lock in all of that precious moisture.

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What ingredients or products should I avoid while repairing my moisture barrier?

Viktoria: You’ll want to stay away from anything harsh or overly active during this time. Reach for soothing, barrier-friendly products instead. Also, stick with pH-balanced, gentle cleansers that cleanse without stripping your skin. For your face, I highly recommend our creamy Ocean Cleansing Milk. It effortlessly melts away makeup and impurities, leaving your skin feeling soft, hydrated, and balanced. For your body, I love our Undaria Algae™ Body Wash because it’s formulated with aloe and glycerin, which really help support the skin’s moisture barrier, plus a botanical oil blend for extra moisture.

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Can you recommend a gentle skincare routine for restoring my moisture barrier?

Viktoria: Here is my less-is-more approach: Start with the Hyaluronic Sea Serum, then follow up with our Advanced Protection Cream to lock in moisture and keep your barrier protected. This ultra-rich cream has a non-irritating bio-retinol that’s going to visibly smooth lines and wrinkles while also increasing and maintaining hydration to reduce water loss. To finish, apply a few pumps of our Dayglow Face Oil®—it’ll seal in moisture and give you that glowy, nourished look. Face oil is so essential when you’re dealing with a compromised moisture barrier! Ours is packed with omegas 6 and 9 from our organic argan and grapeseed oils.

For the body, I recommend our Hyaluronic Body Serum to boost your hydration levels and improve the moisture barrier, followed by our Anti-Aging Body Balm to seal everything in and keep your skin supple and protected.

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How long will it take to see results?

Viktoria: With regular use of barrier-boosting products, you should start to see improvement within a few weeks. Remember, patience and consistency are key!

Have more questions? Want to chat through your skincare routine? Reach out here.

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