First off, you may be asking what your skin barrier even does or how it helps prevent things like acne. “The skin barrier function refers to the skin’s ability to protect your body from infection, retain moisture, and maintain the integrity of the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist, Brendan Camp, MD. “A compromised skin barrier may present with redness, dryness, itching, or irritation.”

Board-certified dermatologist Snehal Amin, MD also adds, “The natural skin protective barrier is compromised when the lipids, fatty acids, and ceramides that hold skin cells together are disrupted. This creates openings and channels that make the skin more prone to bacterial overgrowth and breakouts. It is important to keep in mind that some acne treatments can potentially damage the skin barrier, which could exacerbate the issue.” Now you know how closely related acne and barrier damage can be. To be honest, this may have been my problem all along and I didn’t realize it until I stopped using all these treatments. For more advice, read their top tips below.