Skin is our largest organ, which is why it's important to do our best to keep it strengthened and protected. In addition to a daily layer of sunscreen, adding one of the best barrier creams to your routine is an easy way to boost moisture while keeping environmental irritants, like sun damage and pollution, at bay.
What Is the Skin Barrier?
"The skin barrier refers to the outermost layer of skin, which is also called the stratum corneum. This is the first layer of defense that provides protection to the deeper layers of your skin," board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City Lauren Penzi tells BAZAAR.com. "The stratum corneum is a composite material made of proteins and lipids structurally organized as 'bricks and mortar.'" As barrier creams contain formulas that mimic lipids found natural in your complexion, these staples seamlessly position their key ingredients within the skin's layers to strengthen it from the inside out.
Neocutis
Bio-Cream Riche Bio-Restorative Skin Balm
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First Aid Beauty
Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration Face & Body Moisturizer
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Lanolips
101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
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What Is a Skin Barrier Cream?
"Skin barrier creams are designed to provide a protective layer—or as the name implies a barrier—for skin to prevent transepidermal water loss, and keep moisture in," notes board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick. "On the other hand, moisturizers are comprised of different ingredients designed to hydrate the outer layers of the skin and draw in moisture, with some also containing ingredients like ceramides, to help support the natural skin barrier." The best barrier creams are often thicker and more intensive than your go-to moisturizer, and feature ingredients like petrolatum, dimethicone, lanolin, waxes, zinc oxide, and colloidal oatmeal to fortify your skin. These soothers are especially helpful for dry or sensitive skin types, or skin that has recently undergone some type of insult, such as a sunburn or abrasion.
How Should You Use a Skin Barrier Cream?
According to experts, layering both your favorite face oil or moisturizer along with a skin barrier cream is totally fine, as long as it's applied in the right order for optimum results. Depending on the season, I've tested a number of barrier creams alone, or as a topper over my favorite lighter-weight moisturizers and serums. "It's best to apply a barrier cream as the second to last step in your skin care routine (before sunscreen), as it can limit the absorption of any product applied afterwards," advises double board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College Brendan Camp.
To give your skin an extra forcefield of protection, we asked professionals for a short list of the very best barrier creams worth shopping. From tried-and-true hydrators, like Aquaphor's Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy, to new favorites from Kiehl's and Elta MD, these nourishing essentials are just what the dermatologist ordered.
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
Pros
- Works quickly to restore the skin barrier
Cons
If you're in search of a barrier cream to strengthen your skin fast, look no further than this popular version from Kiehl's. "This barrier cream incorporates colloidal oatmeal, beta-glucan as well as the Advanced Barrier Technology to help support the skin barrier and reduce dryness," Garshick says. "It's a great option for those with dry or sensitive skin, and has been shown to improve the skin barrier function within one hour."
| Key ingredients: | Colloidal oatmeal, beta-glucan |
|---|
Pros
- Multi-purpose
Cons
While technically an ointment, Penzi recommends Aquaphor's multi-tasking Healing Ointment as one of her top barrier cream picks. Its formula creates a protective layer over the skin, that helps lock in moisture while increasing the flow of hydration and oxygen.
| Key ingredients: | Petrolatum, provitamin B5, bisabolol, glycerin, and lanolin alcohol |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "Best thing on the market for skin from head to toe! I love this stuff!" —R. Meyer |
Avène
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Avène
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
"This barrier cream is rich, nourishing, and effectively hydrates skin. It is safe for infants, children, and adults," says Camp of Avène's Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. Garshick agrees, noting that the restorative cream is also ideal to help calm redness and inflammation without leaving your skin feeling greasy. "It also contains a post biotic restorative ingredient, helping to support the skin barrier and also protect the skin from external irritants," she says.
| Key ingredients: | Avène thermal spring water, copper and zinc sulfates |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I love everything from Avene and this is no exception. Really nice product to use on super dry patches, or all over if you're experiencing extra irritation. The most soothing mouisturizer I've found for facial eczema." —Nicole |
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Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
Both Penzi and Camp regularly suggest the Barrier Renewal Complex from Elta MD to clients, which, "restores the skin barrier to improve dryness and minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pore size," Camp says.
| Key ingredients: | Ceramides, lipids, enzymes |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "My skin is loving this renewal complex. My face stays hydrated and soft for hours after applying it." —MarionM. |
Skinfix
Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
Skinfix
Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
Pros
- Vegan
Cons
Penzi and over 2,000 Sephora customers agree: Skinfix's Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream deserves a spot in your medicine cabinet. This hydrating cream uses a blend of small-particle hyaluronic acid and lipid fillers to minimize redness while restoring ceramide and fatty acid levels.
| Key ingredients: | Lipids, peptides, small-particle hyaluronic acid, shea butter |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I have used so many moisturizers but my skin loves this. I know it’s thick but I use it in the morning for my dry winter skin, and my skin doesn’t feel tight or itchy. I would recommend this to anyone with dry skin who likes feeling really hydrated." —BardotBabe |
Pros
- Multi-purpose
Cons
If you have sensitive skin in need of repair, Garshick recommends adding La Roche-Posay's best-selling Cicaplast Balm B5 to your rotation. "This soothing skin protectant can help alleviate rough, cracked or chapped skin, and skin that is easily irritated," she explains. "This multipurpose cream can be used by all ages, and even for diaper rash."
| Key ingredients: | Shea butter, glycerin |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "This is hands down the best moisturizer for dry, sensitive skin I've ever tried. I've used it on sunburns, windburn, chemical (niacinamide) burn and just dry winter skin and it works faster than anything else to ease discomfort and restore skin. And it has no fragrance for my fragrance sensitive friends out there." —Anna |
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Vaseline
Original Healing Jelly For Dry Skin and Eczema Relief
Pros
- Multi-purpose
Cons
"One of the most used products in our home is this 100 percent white petrolatum, which helps to lock in moisture and protect the skin from external irritants," Garshick notes. "It's a great option for chapped lips, minor cuts, and dryness or flaking of the skin, and is also safe for all ages. Plus, it's especially great to help with the dry or chapped lips in the winter months."
| Key ingredients: | Petroleum jelly |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "So moisturizing and gives me incredibly soft skin at night. 10/10 would recommend." —Aisha |
Neocutis
Bio-Cream Riche Bio-Restorative Skin Balm
Neocutis
Bio-Cream Riche Bio-Restorative Skin Balm
Pros
- Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
If you're a fan of the Neocutis Lumière Firm Riche Eye Cream, the brand's Bio-Cream Riche Bio-Restorative Skin Balm might become your new favorite face product. From smoothing fine lines to restoring hydration, this balm works overnight to enhance the look and inner strength of your complexion.
| Key ingredients: | Wild yam extract, wheat germ oil, borage seed oil |
|---|
First Aid Beauty
Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration Face & Body Moisturizer
First Aid Beauty
Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration Face & Body Moisturizer
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Pros
- Fast-absorbing
Cons
"Not only does this cream help with hydration, but it also helps to protect the skin and offers a barrier effect, protecting the skin against irritation and sensitivity," Garshick says. "It contains a blend of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and allantoin, which together help to protect the skin, soften the skin and soothe the skin."
| Key ingredients: | Colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, shea butter, |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "The best facial cream for sensitive skin! Doesn’t leave your face oily and doesn’t cause any break outs. Will be buying again in a bigger size." —Julesariza |
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Pros
- Multi-purpose
Cons
As another balm option, Garshick swears by the 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm from Lanolips. "Using ultra pure grade lanolin, this super dense balm helps lock in moisture without leaving behind a greasy or sticky residue," she adds. "It's a great option to apply to the lips or skin and leave it feeling softer and smoother."
| Key ingredients: | Lanolin oil |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I felt like my face and lips were suddenly very sensitive, dry, and peeling as soon as it got cold this year. Not even my typical chapstick was helping my lips. This stuff is gentle, basic, and helped my lips reset back to normal. I even used it very sparingly around my eyes when my skin was peeling and it helped with that too." —Grace H. |
Benefits of Using Skin Barrier Creams
While just about any skin type can benefit from using one of these coveted creams, Penzi notes that they're particularly ideal for those with skin conditions like eczema that directly affect its barrier. "This also includes those who have a weakened skin barrier due to outside factors, such as people who over exfoliate their skin, as well as those with increased sensitivity to contact irritants and allergens," she explains.
How to Use the Best Skin Barrier Creams
"It is okay to layer a moisturizer or oil under a barrier cream, as the barrier cream can help to lock in all the moisture-boosting benefits of the moisturizer by serving as an occlusive," Garshick advises. "For someone who is acne-prone or has oily skin, it is important to use products that are non-comedogenic to minimize any potential for clogged pores."
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Meet the Experts
- Lauren Penzi, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York.
- Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
- Brendan Camp, M.D., F.A.A.D, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC, and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
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