Why SPF Is Essential For Protecting the Skin Barrier

What Is the Skin Barrier?

The skin barrier (formally known as the stratum corneum) is your skin’s first line of defense against the outside world. This protective barrier is your skin’s outermost layer and it is composed of about 50% ceramides, 25% cholesterol, and 10-25% fatty acids.² The skin barrier has many important functions, but first and foremost, it works to help keep beneficial substances in your skin and harmful elements out.

It helps protect you against external stressors (such as UV radiation and air pollution) and helps ensure you’re able to retain water without losing excess moisture through your skin. The integrity of your skin barrier plays an important role in how your skin looks and feels: Disruption of the skin barrier can lead to an array of skin concerns, from dryness to acne, skin irritation, and sensitivity.

How Does Sun Exposure Affect Your Skin Barrier?

Research shows that UV radiation can disrupt your skin barrier both directly and indirectly.^3,4 Directly, UV rays can damage your skin cells—and this damage accumulates over time. Exposure to UV radiation may also reduce your skin’s ability to hold onto moisture effectively, which can leave your skin appearing dry, flaky, and rough.

Indirectly, exposure to UV radiation can generate free radicals. These compounds can damage skin cells and may potentially contribute to the development of several skin issues over time, including atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema)—a skin condition that can cause excessively dry, itchy skin.

What else can weaken the skin barrier?

Sun exposure isn’t the only thing that can disrupt your skin’s protective barrier. Other possible stressors may include:

• Certain climate conditions (like low humidity)
• Using harsh cleansers
• Over-exfoliating your skin
• Improper skincare practices
• Skipping moisturizer

Signs Your Skin Barrier May Be Compromised

A weakened skin barrier can be linked to numerous skin concerns, from minor dryness and roughness to more significant dryness, cracking, redness, flaking, and peeling. Often, a damaged skin barrier results in some discomfort and may increase your skin’s sensitivity. Other concerns that might be linked to a compromised skin barrier include acne, visible dullness, and a loss of skin elasticity.

If you suspect that your skin barrier may be disrupted, consult a board-certified dermatologist for an accurate assessment of your skin and personalized advice. Your dermatologist can help you build a daily routine that supports your skin’s protective barrier and helps address sensitivity or other skin issues.

How Does SPF Help Protect Your Skin Barrier?

The SPF in sunscreen products can help support your skin barrier by absorbing or reflecting UV radiation, which helps minimize damage when you’re exposed to the sun’s rays. However, it’s important to choose the right sunscreen formula to ensure you’re getting maximum protection. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF value of at least 30.⁵ It’s also crucial to make sure you’re using enough: Generally, you’ll want to use a nickel-sized dollop for your face, per the Skin Cancer Foundation.⁶

How To Incorporate Sunscreen Into Your Daily Routine

Look for sunscreen products that contain ceramides

To help support your skin barrier, we recommend choosing sunscreen products with ceramides. As mentioned above, ceramides are a key component of your skin barrier. These lipids are essentially like the glue that holds your skin cells together and helps keep your skin barrier intact. One study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that daily use of an SPF 30 sunscreen with ceramides can help boost skin hydration and significantly decrease trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).⁷

All CeraVe sunscreens and moisturizers with SPF are formulated with our three essential ceramides to help maintain your skin’s protective barrier. They also feature other beneficial ingredients to support your skin’s hydration, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Select the right sunscreen for your skin barrier

When it comes to finding the ideal sunscreen for your skin barrier, we recommend looking for fragrance-free formulas that are gentle on the skin, developed with dermatologists, and suitable for your skin type. One option to consider is CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen, which features broad-spectrum mineral and chemical sun filters, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. This face and body sunscreen helps protect your skin while delivering instant hydration that lasts all day long. Plus, the lightweight, non-greasy formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

CeraVe offers several other options that help maintain your skin barrier and help protect against sun damage. Our range of options includes mineral sunscreens, tinted sunscreens, and portable sunscreen sticks. All of our SPF formulas offer broad-spectrum protection and contain an SPF value of at least 30.

Wear SPF daily and reapply often

Research shows that most sun damage occurs from intermittent everyday sun exposure, like when you’re driving to work or walking the dog.⁸ As such, it’s essential to wear sunscreen anytime you’ll be catching rays. That includes indoor sun exposure, too: UVA rays can penetrate through glass and affect your skin barrier, even when you’re inside.

Help protect your skin by swapping your usual moisturizer for an option with SPF, like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 or CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50. These multitasking facial moisturizers with broad-spectrum SPF hydrate the skin up to 10 layers deep to provide 24-hour hydration, help protect against sun damage, and help maintain your skin’s protective barrier. Like any sunscreen product, remember to reapply it every two hours (or after sweating, swimming, or toweling off) for proper sun protection.

Adopt safe sun habits

In addition to being diligent about sunscreen usage, you can keep your skin barrier protected from the sun’s rays by adopting safe sun habits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends avoiding direct sunlight during the sun’s peak hours, wearing protective clothing, and sticking to the shade whenever possible.⁹

For help choosing the right products for your specific skin type and skin concerns, use our Find My Skincare Solution tool.