Why Your Skin Is Pushing Back

If your skin feels tight, reactive, breaking out, or suddenly “not coping” even though you’re using good skincare, this might be why.

It’s not that your products are bad.

It’s that your skin is overwhelmed.

We’re seeing this every week in clinic.

Retinol – a vitamin A derivative used to speed up cell turnover and stimulate collagen.
AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) – exfoliating acids (like glycolic or lactic acid) that remove surface dead skin.
BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) – oil-soluble acids (like salicylic acid) that penetrate pores to treat congestion.
Vitamin C – an antioxidant used to brighten skin and support collagen production.
Exfoliating toners – liquid treatments designed to chemically resurface the skin daily.
“Skin cycling” – rotating active ingredients across different nights to increase tolerance.
High percentages – stronger formulations marketed as “more powerful.”
Layering trends – applying multiple active serums in one routine for amplified results.

Individually, these ingredients can be powerful and beneficial.

But together, and without proper barrier support, they can quietly create irritation and inflammation.

What Happens When Skin Is Overstimulated?

When you overload your skin with actives:

• Your barrier weakens
• Trans-epidermal water loss increases
• Redness becomes persistent
• Breakouts become reactive (not hormonal)
• Skin starts to sting with everything

You may think you need more exfoliation.

Often, you need less.

The Barrier Is Everything

Your skin barrier is your first line of defence.
When it’s compromised, even the best treatments won’t work properly.

Healthy skin is calm, resilient, and strong.

From there, we stimulate collagen, treat pigmentation, and support ageing properly.

Not the other way around.

If Your Barrier Is Compromised, Here’s Where We Start

Before we treat.
Before we stimulate.
Before we correct.

We repair.

1. Strip Your Routine Back

Temporarily remove:

• Retinol

• Acids

• Vitamin C

• Exfoliating toners

• Any “tingling” products

Less is not lazy.

2. Rebuild With Barrier-Supporting Essentials

In clinic, we often simplify to:

• A gentle cleanser (I would recommend water cleansing in the AM to avoid an overstrip)
• Rescue Serum (to calm inflammation and support healing)
• Isobel Moisturiser (lipid-replenishing + barrier restoring)
• SPF during the day

This allows the skin to stabilise, rehydrate and regulate itself again.

No aggression.
No overstimulation.

Just repair.

3. Support With The Right Treatment

When skin is inflamed or depleted, we love starting with our Repair & Restore Facial (this includes LED).

This treatment is designed to:

• Calm inflammation

• Strengthen the barrier

• Restore hydration

• Improve resilience

It’s not about resurfacing.

It’s about rebuilding.

And once the barrier is strong again, that’s when we layer in collagen stimulation, pigmentation work, or corrective treatments properly.

Here’s The Truth

More active doesn’t mean more effective.
Higher percentage doesn’t mean a better result.
And irritated skin doesn’t mean it’s “working.”

If your skin feels confused lately, this might be your sign to simplify.

The Functional Skin Studio x