Class is in session BABES, and today’s lesson is on how acne is an inflammatory disease.

In the simplest terms: bacteria poops in your pore, your skin gets irritated, your skin starts to swell, pores begin to narrow from the swelling, and the bacteria thrives in that closed, low-oxygen environment.

All of this is to say: when someone tells you to manage your skin barrier, this is why. Preventing additional irritation and inflammation allows your skin to function properly and recover. So what does this mean for you, babes? Here’s a quick guide to help minimize extra irritation:

1) STOP OVER-EXFOLIATING: Excessive use of actives such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, benzoyl peroxide, etc. can weaken the skin barrier. I personally slowly introduce one active at a time and wait 4-6 weeks before deciding to continue, add something else, or stop using it. 

2) Support your barrier: Barrier-supportive ingredients include niacinamide, Centella asiatica, green tea extract, aloe, and colloidal oatmeal. They are your ally in clearing your acne. Grab a moisturizer with aloe in it, look for actives with niacinamide, and find toners with green tea extract. You can integrate these SO easily.

3) Manage your stress: Stress fluctuates our hormones, which can lead to increased skin sensitivity and inflammation, causing, you guessed it, acne.

4) Sleep, sleep, sleep: You need 7–9 hours of sleep for your skin to fully repair itself. Beauty sleep is a real thing.

And beyond the superficial desire for clear skin, there’s a biological advantage to having healthy skin. Your skin barrier is your body’s first line of defense against environmental aggressors. When it’s compromised, irritants, pollutants, bacteria, and other environmental stressors are better able to penetrate the skin.

So when we strengthen the skin barrier, we’re not just supporting clearer skin, we’re supporting healthier skin overall.