Brand
As Modern Skin Becomes More Sensitive, the Solution Lies in Building a Strong Skin Barrier
Jun 10, 2026
content detail
• Health & Beauty_Skin Barrier Strengthening
• Seven out of 10 people worldwide experience symptoms of sensitive skin, making it an increasingly common concern
• Recurring redness, dryness, and breakouts may signal a weakened skin barrier
• Maintaining the right balance of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids is key
• Consumer interest is rising as the dermocosmetic industry accelerates product development
• AESTURA builds on more than 40 years of research expertise to target Asia, North America, and Europe
Even though the era of mask-wearing as part of daily life has passed, more people are reporting symptoms of sensitive skin. Some experience facial redness whenever the seasons change, while others feel stinging after switching cosmetics or struggle with recurring dryness and breakouts. Dermatologists emphasize that managing the skin barrier is essential to easing these symptoms.
The cosmetics industry is also paying closer attention to the skin barrier, a core factor in skin health. As research and development around barrier-strengthening ingredients become more active, related product lines are expanding rapidly. Today, a company’s capabilities in skin barrier research are emerging as an important factor that defines the competitiveness of both brands and products.
Sensitive Skin: Influenced by Environmental and Lifestyle Changes
Sensitive skin refers not to a specific disease, but to skin condition that reacts excessively to external stimuli. While it was once considered a concern limited to some individuals, it is now recognized as a more widespread phenomenon. According to market research firm Grand View Research, 71% of the global population has experienced symptoms of sensitive skin.
Experts point to environmental and lifestyle changes as major contributors to the rise in sensitive skin. Increased exposure to external irritants such as fine dust, UV rays, and indoor heating and cooling, combined with greater stress and lack of sleep, can weaken the skin’s natural defenses. Daily over-exfoliation with acidic products or the use of harsh cosmetics that do not suit the skin can also undermine skin health.
Professor Kim Beom-jun of the Department of Dermatology at Chung-Ang University Hospital said, “The number of patients reporting symptoms of sensitive skin has been steadily increasing in recent years,” adding, “Greater exposure to external irritants and changes in the living environment have had a combined impact on skin function.”
Strengthening the Skin Barrier: The Key to Skin Health Management
Experts identify weakened barrier function as a common underlying cause of various skin concerns. The skin barrier is a protective layer on the outermost surface of the skin that blocks external irritants and helps prevent moisture loss. The skin cells and lipids that make up the barrier are often compared to bricks and mortar: if skin cells are bricks, lipid components act as the mortar that fills the spaces between them.
When this structure is kept healthy, the skin can retain moisture and protect itself from external irritants. When the barrier is damaged, however, moisture escapes from within the skin and external irritants can penetrate more easily, leading to recurring dryness, irritation, and redness. Studies have also shown that sensitive skin tends to have more gaps in its lipid structure than healthy skin, making it more vulnerable to external stimuli.
This is why dermatology and cosmetics industries are increasingly focusing on skin barrier recovery. There is a growing understanding that fundamentally improving skin condition requires more than simply providing hydration; it also requires strengthening the barrier structure so that the skin can maintain its own protective function.
The key components of the skin barrier are ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. Experts emphasize that these components must be maintained in proper balance to fill the gaps in the barrier. Professor Kim said, “When the skin barrier becomes weakened, it can create a vicious cycle in which sensitivity symptoms worsen,” adding, “Beyond simple moisturization, it is important to appropriately replenish components similar to the skin’s own lipids in order to maintain barrier function.”
AESTURA Leads Research in Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin
As interest in sensitive skin and the skin barrier grows, the dermocosmetic industry—cosmetics based on dermatological science—is also concentrating on related research. With consumers increasingly prioritizing barrier recovery, the competitiveness of Korean companies is expected to rise further.
One representative brand is AESTURA by AMOREPACIFIC. Originating from Pacific Pharma in 1982, the brand has continued its research into sensitive skin, primarily through hospital and clinic channels. At a time when the concept of dermocosmetics was still unfamiliar, there was already steady demand in dermatology practices for low-irritation moisturizing products suitable for everyday use. In response, AESTURA focused on developing moisturizers exclusively for medical institutions and later expanded its expertise in sensitive skin and skin barrier research into products designed to support the skin’s inherent health. While studying various types of troubled skin, the brand noted that skin barrier damage appeared as a common factor across different symptoms.
Today, AESTURA operates eight advisory research groups composed of 62 dermatologists, reflecting skin concerns observed in real clinical settings in its research and product development. Its flagship ATOBARRIER365 line was also developed based on the concept of the skin barrier.
AESTURA products are currently available in all tertiary general hospitals in Korea as well as more than 4,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide. By applying components similar to the skin’s lipid structure, the products help support skin barrier recovery. Its MD products are recognized in medical settings for their safety profile, which allows them to be used by patients with skin conditions.
Building on the research expertise it has accumulated in Korea, AESTURA is also targeting overseas markets. The brand has entered Japan and Southeast Asia as well as North America and Europe and plans to accelerate expansion into additional global markets. Kim Jung-Hwan, a researcher at Derma Lab, AESTURA’s dedicated research organization for sensitive skin, said, “Our ultimate research goal is to help the skin restore healthy barrier function on its own,” adding, “We understand sensitive skin not simply as something to be managed, but as a signal from the skin, and we are researching solutions that can deliver both safety and efficacy even for sensitive skin.”
Dermatology-Based K-Derma Moves Beyond Korea to the Global Stage
Dermocosmetics is a term that combines dermatology and cosmetics, referring to cosmetic products developed based on medical evidence and clinical data. Built around low-irritation ingredients, these products focus on addressing skin concerns such as soothing sensitive skin and strengthening the barrier. In the past, they were mainly sold through hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies and were often referred to as pharmacy cosmetics. More recently, however, they have expanded into mainstream retail channels and become a popular beauty trend.
As more people report sensitive skin due to harmful environmental factors and stress, and as consumers become more selective about ingredients, Korea’s dermocosmetic market is growing rapidly.
According to market research firm Euromonitor, while the overall skincare market in Korea grew at a compound annual growth rate of 2.1% over the past five years, the dermo skincare market grew at a much faster CAGR of 15.7%. Industry observers also view Korea as a global testing ground for technological validation, given consumers’ high level of interest in skin health, their demanding product selection standards, and the active clinical and research environment.
Korean companies are now accelerating their overseas expansion based on accumulated research capabilities. If K-beauty grew by leading with color cosmetics and trend-driven appeal, dermatology-based K-derma is now being recognized as a new source of competitiveness.
