Written by Noora Shingler, Co-founder of Blank& · Updated October 2026
In short: The skin barrier is the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, which protects against external stressors and prevents moisture loss. A damaged skin barrier shows as redness, flakiness, itchiness, stinging or tightness, and it is often caused by products that are too harsh, overuse of active ingredients, excessive exfoliation, or cold and dry winter air. Red, irritated skin benefits from soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as CBD.
As winter approaches, it’s a good time to start paying special attention to skincare. Cold temperatures, sudden temperature changes, and dry air can easily make the skin red and irritated. Our skin serves as the body’s first line of defense against external stressors such as weather conditions. The products we use to care for our skin in summer—when the air is warmer and more humid—may not be sufficient during the winter months. With the right products and care, a healthy skin barrier keeps our skin hydrated and resilient all winter long.
What Is the Skin Barrier?
Human skin consists of two main layers: the epidermis and the dermis. Of these, the epidermis is the outermost layer and can be further divided into five sublayers. The very top of the epidermis is called the stratum corneum, also known as the horny layer. This layer forms the skin’s barrier and plays a crucial role in protecting against external stressors while preventing the loss of moisture and other beneficial substances from the skin.
The stratum corneum is mainly made up of flat, overlapping corneocytes (dead skin cells) and an intercellular matrix of lipids (fats). The most important lipids in this layer are ceramides, cholesterol, and various fatty acids, which together form the skin’s permeability barrier.[2]
Simply put, the structure of the stratum corneum can be compared to a brick wall, where the corneocytes are the “bricks” and the lipids are the “mortar” that holds them together.
Why Is an Intact and Functional Skin Barrier Important?
The skin barrier works in both directions—it prevents harmful substances from entering from the outside and also stops internal moisture from escaping. A healthy skin barrier protects the skin from bacteria, viruses, allergens, air pollution, and mechanical stress.[1][2] When the barrier is intact, the skin feels smooth and soft without redness or flakiness. Even small disruptions in the stratum corneum can lead to various skin problems. A damaged barrier also makes the skin more vulnerable to UV radiation from the sun.
What Are the Symptoms of a Damaged Skin Barrier?
A damaged skin barrier is often recognized by redness, flakiness, and itchiness. You may notice breakouts, and products that previously worked well can suddenly start to sting or irritate. The skin may become oily more quickly—or, conversely, feel dry and tight—or even both at once!
What Causes Damage to the Skin Barrier?
A damaged skin barrier is often caused by products that are too harsh for your skin type, overuse of active ingredients, excessive exfoliation, or environmental conditions.
For example, brightening, cleansing, or exfoliating products often contain AHA or BHA acids. When these are combined for example with a vitamin C serum and a retinol-based night cream, it can be “too much” for the skin, often leading to barrier damage.
Weather conditions also affect how our skin functions. In Finland, the climate is highly variable, especially in winter—cold and dry air puts the skin under stress. Dry air increases moisture loss and disrupts the function of the stratum corneum.
When the skin barrier is damaged, protecting the skin and restoring its balance is key. Red, irritated skin benefits from soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. The CBD used in Blank& products is calming, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant—making it ideal for repairing a damaged skin barrier.[3][4] Blank& CBD facial oils, Evie and Amio, are excellent for protecting the skin; the carefully selected natural oils together with CBD nourish and calm the skin while forming a protective layer that locks in moisture and prevents dryness.
Read more about CBD here
Find Amio, Evie, and our other products in our online store
Frequently asked questions
What is the skin barrier?
The skin barrier is the stratum corneum, the very top layer of the epidermis. It protects against external stressors and prevents the loss of moisture and other beneficial substances from the skin.
How do I know if my skin barrier is damaged?
A damaged skin barrier is often recognized by redness, flakiness, and itchiness. Products that previously worked well can suddenly start to sting or irritate, and the skin may feel oily, dry and tight, or both at once.
Why does winter weaken the skin barrier?
Cold and dry air puts the skin under stress. Dry air increases moisture loss and disrupts the function of the stratum corneum.
Can using too many active ingredients damage the skin barrier?
Yes. Combining products with AHA or BHA acids with, for example, a vitamin C serum and a retinol-based night cream can be “too much” for the skin and often leads to barrier damage.
Blank& is a Helsinki-based company making Ecocert COSMOS Natural certified CBD skincare and intimate care.
Sources and further reading:
1: The Effect of the Skin Microbiome on the Skin Barrier
2: The Role of Barrier Dysfunction in the Development of Atopic Dermatitis
3: Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders
4: Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
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