What skin type is a result of an unhealthy skin barrier?

The correct answer is dry skin, as it is often associated with an unhealthy skin barrier. The skin barrier serves as a protective layer that helps retain moisture and prevent irritants from entering the skin. When the skin barrier is compromised, whether due to environmental factors, over-exfoliation, or the use of harsh products, the skin can lose moisture more rapidly and become dehydrated.

This loss of moisture can lead to symptoms commonly attributed to dry skin, such as flakiness, redness, irritation, and a tight sensation. An unhealthy skin barrier fails to effectively keep hydration in, thus contributing to the characteristics of dry skin. In contrast, oily skin, normal skin, and combination skin have different characteristics and are influenced by other factors such as sebum production and skin type genetics rather than solely the condition of the skin barrier.