SkinLabs Knowledge Hub
Real answers. Evidence-backed guidance. Built for South African skin, climate and routines.
SkinLabs provides educational skincare information, not medical diagnosis or treatment. Persistent symptoms, severe reactions, unusual lesions and significant skin concerns should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Routines
Watch for redness, stinging when you apply products, extra sensitivity, flaking and new breakouts — signs your barrier is compromised rather than your skin being "purged." If that's happening, drop all acids and retinoids for a while, stick to gentle cleansing and moisturising, and rebuild your barrier with ceramide-rich products before reintroducing actives slowly.
If symptoms are severe, spreading, or don't settle within a couple of weeks of stripping the routine back, see a dermatologist rather than continuing to self-treat.
Evidence reviewed · Aug 2026
- DermNet NZ — irritant contact dermatitis & barrier damageDermNet
Signs of compromised skin barrier from over-exfoliation
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Content last reviewed 31 August 2026 by the SkinLabs Editorial Team.