Compromised Skin Barrier
Strip everything back, then rebuild with ceramides and hydration.
Your skin barrier is the outer layer that holds moisture in and irritants out. Over-exfoliation, harsh cleansing, cold weather, central heating and stress can all damage it. The signs are unmistakable: tightness, stinging, flaking, redness and sudden reactions to products you previously loved.
Repair is about subtraction first: pause exfoliating acids, retinoids and foaming washes, and give the skin a few weeks of gentle cleansing, barrier-rebuilding moisture and sun protection. Most barriers recover with consistency.
If stinging, flaking or redness persists despite a minimal routine, it may be dermatitis or another treatable condition — have it assessed rather than enduring it.
Essential routine
£154.00 RRP
£138.60
The repair trio: gentle cleanse, ceramides, sun protection.
- 1
Calming Cleanse£35.00£31.50150mlA non-foaming cleanser at the skin's natural pH that removes impurities while preserving hydration — the exact opposite of the stripping washes that damage barriers.
- 2
Repair +£69.00£62.1050mlThe barrier-rebuilder: ceramides (the lipids a damaged barrier is missing), plus niacinamide, panthenol and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture, strengthen the barrier and reduce the look of redness.
- 3
Zinc Shade£50.00£45.0050mlA gentle, non-greasy mineral SPF15 (rated SPF 23) — recovering barriers still need daily sun protection.
You save £15.40 with ReGen's 10% discount · free UK delivery over £60
Advanced routine
£63.00 RRP
£56.70
Builds on the essential routine — adds a hydration layer for skin that is dry as well as damaged.
- 1
Hydraboost HA Serum£63.00£56.7050mlHyaluronic acid at three molecular weights with panthenol: hydration held at the surface and deeper in the skin, supporting the barrier while it repairs.
You save £6.30 with ReGen's 10% discount · free UK delivery over £60
Morning protocol
- 1
Calming Cleanse — Cleanse gently with the non-foaming cream wash.
- 2
Hydraboost HA Serum — Advanced addition: apply the hyaluronic acid serum while skin is still slightly damp.
- 3
Repair + — Moisturise with the ceramide-rich barrier cream.
- 4
Zinc Shade — Finish with the gentle mineral SPF.
Evening protocol
- 1
Calming Cleanse — Cleanse the day away.
- 2
Hydraboost HA Serum — Advanced addition: reapply the hydration serum.
- 3
Repair + — Seal with Repair +.
How often to use
- ·Calming Cleanser, Repair + and Zinc Shade daily.
- ·Hydraboost morning and evening, applied before your moisturiser to slightly damp skin.
- ·Stay off exfoliants, retinoids and foaming washes until skin has been comfortable for a few weeks — then reintroduce one at a time.
Precautions
- ·Keep water lukewarm — hot water strips the barrier further.
- ·Give the routine several weeks; barrier repair is gradual.
- ·Persisting stinging or flaking despite a minimal routine deserves a professional assessment.
- ·Once recovered, reintroduce actives one at a time, not all at once.
General skincare guidance built from the official ESK product information — not medical advice. If you are being treated in clinic, follow the aftercare your practitioner gave you rather than changing your routine, and book a consultation before combining this guide with clinical treatment.