Best Barrier Creams
10 Barrier Creams That Will Soothe Irritated, Sensitive Skin
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If you're obsessed with skin care, there's a good chance you've heard something about your skin barrier in recent months, such as what it is and why it might need repairing. The summary: your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, and it helps keep the good in and the bad out. Like almost every other part of your body, though, your skin barrier can get damaged. This occurs for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to skin conditions like rosacea and eczema, overexfoliation, or too much sun exposure, which you're probably familiar with in the summer months. If you find your skin to be a bit irritated, it might be time to try a barrier cream.
These 10 creams will help nourish and repair a damaged skin barrier. If you've got dry skin, you'll find a bunch of great options, but we also found selections for people with oily or combination skin, too. These creams are soothing and great for stressed-out skin; once you try them, they'll be an indelible part of your routine. Keep on reading to shop our selects!
A Top-Rated Skin-Barrier Cream: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
This First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration ($38) is one of the top-selling skin-care products at Sephora. This editor's best friend has eczema, and she refuses to use anything else. This is a richer cream that's great for people with dry skin. The colloidal oatmeal works to soothe aggravated skin, and the shea butter helps protect the skin barrier.
A Soothing Leave-On Treatment: Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm
If you have compromised or postprocedure skin, use this Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm ($88) as the last step in your nighttime routine. You leave it on at night and wash it off in the morning. The star ingredient is its innovative active ingredient, MossCellTec. Using a two percent concentration of the first-ever biotechnologically produced moss, the cream has been studied to enhance and support skin resilience.
A Barrier Cream With SPF: La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturiser UV SPF 30
Sometimes, you want a product that does double duty. This La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturiser UV SPF 30 ($20) is both a moisturiser and sun protection. It's great for sensitive skin and a good item to throw in your travel bag.
A Bestselling Barrier Cream: Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
This Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream ($52) is a cult favourite for a reason. It brightens, firms, and plumps, thanks in large part to the Firming Nutripeptide Blend, which supports skin-barrier health by minimizing visible redness. Plus, in a 28-day study, participants saw a 23.6 percent increase in skin-barrier lipids, which is amazing.
A Rich Barrier Cream: Dermalogica Super Rich Repair Moisturiser
This Dermalogica Super Rich Repair Moisturiser ($89) lives up to its name. It's super rich and likely best for nighttime or for people with very dry skin. This editor is a fan, but it also has great reviews, with one person saying, "It helped clear my dermatitis while helping me manage chronic dry patches from tretinoin use. Although my tretinoin still dries me out and causes my skin to flake, this product is a magical healing tool and usually resolves my dryness within the same day."
A Barrier Cream With Retinol: Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturiser With Retinol
Now, a barrier cream with retinol might feel counterintuitive, but this Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturiser With Retinol ($35) really does it all. The Ceramide NP in this cream plumps and nourishes the skin's moisture barrier, and the 0.01 percent of retinol (which is a very small percentage of retinol) is meant to firm the skin and help prevent fine lines. If you're looking to try retinol for the first time, this might be a good place to start.
A Barrier Cream For Oily Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream
If you have wrecked your skin barrier but have oily or combination skin, you need a lighter cream. This Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream ($48) is the option for you. It's perfect for summer skin, and if you've got a sunburn, you'll want to reach for this soothing formula.
A Barrier Cream For Very Dry Skin: Epionce Medical Barrier Cream
If you have very dry, rough, or damaged skin, you need a high-quality cream. This Epionce Medical Barrier Cream ($48) is the nourishment you're craving without the heaviness or greasiness associated with thick creams. Customers love using this after treatments like chemical peels or microneedling.
A Barrier Cream Under $50: Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
If you're looking for something more affordable, pick up this Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream ($42). The French brand is known for being gentle and effective, and this product is no different. The C+ restore is a patented innovation that's formulated to restore the skin's natural barrier, and the Avène Thermal Spring Water softens and calms skin.
A Soothing Barrier Cream: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturiser
This Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturiser ($48) has thousands of positive reviews. The hyaluronic acid and shea butter work to both moisturise and nourish the skin while keeping skin texture supple and soft. Plus, the ceramidin complex contains five ceramides that fortify the skin barrier and help lock in moisture.
