If you’ve noticed your skin feeling rough, dry or red, this irritation could be the result of damage to your skin’s moisture barrier. What does that mean exactly, and how can you fix it? With a simple skin care lineup from French brand Vichy, an expert when it comes to skin hydration, you can be on your way to relief by protecting and rebuilding your moisture barrier. Let’s dig into this topic by answering some common questions, including:

• What is the skin’s moisture barrier?

• What happens when the moisture barrier is damaged?

• How can I rebuild my moisture barrier?

What is the skin’s moisture barrier?

The moisture barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, also called the stratum corneum. “A healthy moisture barrier helps hold moisture in and keep the bad stuff out—irritants like dirt, bacteria and pollutants,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger.

What happens when the skin’s moisture barrier is damaged?

Environmental factors such as cold weather, sun or wind can damage the skin barrier, and therefore are unable to moisturize your skin properly. “When your skin’s moisture barrier is damaged, moisture can easily escape and leave your skin dehydrated and more vulnerable to irritation and infection,” Dr. Schlessinger says. Skin that feels red, itchy or rough could be an indication of a damaged moisture barrier.

A four-step routine to rebuild your skin’s moisture barrier

The good news is that when it comes to your moisture barrier, damage may be able to be undone. You can help rebuild your skin’s moisture barrier with a simple skin care routine that includes Vichy fragrance-free and hydrating skincare products.

Vichy Purete Thermale Hydrating & Cleansing Foaming Cream

The first step to rebuild your moisture barrier is to use a gentle but effective facial cleanser like Vichy’s Purete Thermale Hydrating & Cleansing Foaming Cream, a cream-to-foam face wash. Formulated with Purisoft, a proprietary ingredient extracted from moringa seeds, this cleanser is designed to wash away dirt, makeup and impurities, leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed. It also contains Vichy Volcanic Water, a mineral-rich substance that is clinically proven to rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier.

Vichy Purete Thermale Mineral Micellar Water

The next step in your moisture barrier-repair routine is a quick swipe of Vichy Purete Thermale Mineral Micellar Water, formulated specifically for sensitive skin. It’s a key step in rebuilding your moisture barrier thanks to vitamin B5, which is formulated to help soothe and moisturize as glycerin and Rosa gallica extract work together to help calm redness and inflammation. You can apply it with a cotton ball or pad, and there’s no need to rinse.

Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in this serum that’s designed to help rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier. Applying a concentrated face serum like this one can go a long way to help restore your skin’s hydration levels. Vichy Volcanic Water and hyaluronic acid team up to infuse much-needed moisture into skin cells to help fortify the skin barrier and boost its resistance to pollution and irritants. For best results, just apply two drops to your skin and spread outward from the center of your face.

Vichy Fragrance-Free Aqualia Thermal Face Cream

The last step in this routine is the most important for helping rebuild your moisture barrier. This rich night cream benefits your skin in three ways: it is designed to strengthen and repair the skin barrier with Vichy Volcanic Water, hydrate and plump the skin with hyaluronic acid and to help lock in moisture with glycerin. This Vichy fragrance-free formula can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boost your skin’s elasticity for a more youthful look. For your morning skin care routine, be sure to follow this up by applying your favorite sunscreen. In the evening, you’re all set with this as your last step.

Having shaving struggles? You can learn how to fix razor burn and get more dermatologist-approved skin care advice on the LovelySkin blog.