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Opinion National Interest PoV 50-Word Edit

ThePrint On Camera Videos In Pictures

Society & Culture Around Town Book Excerpts Vigyapanti The Dating Story

More Judiciary Education YourTurn Work With Us Campus Voice

More is not better in skin care. Protect your skin barrier

The phrase ‘skin barrier’ has suddenly become fashionable, but very few people understand what it actually means.

Last month, a 28-year-old marketing professional came to see me with one complaint: “Doctor, my skin burns every time I apply anything.”

She had never suffered from eczema or allergies. Yet even a simple moisturiser made her face sting. As we went through her skincare routine, the reason became obvious. She was using a vitamin C serum every morning, retinol at night, two exfoliating acids through the week, a foaming cleanser several times a day, clay masks on weekends, and had recently added products promising “glass skin” after watching social media influencers.

The problem wasn’t her skin. The problem was what she was doing to it.

Over the past few years, this has become one of the most common concerns I see in my dermatology practice. Patients of every age — teenagers battling acne, women in their 40s trying anti-ageing products, and even men who have only recently begun using skincare — are developing sensitive, irritated skin. Ironically, it is often happening because they are trying too hard to look after it.

The phrase “skin barrier” has suddenly become fashionable, but very few people understand what it actually means.

Think of the skin barrier as your body’s security system. The outermost layer of skin is designed to lock moisture in while keeping bacteria,........

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