Dermatologists often emphasise the importance of adapting your skincare routine with the seasons. As we head into the warmer spring months, you might think that means swapping out heavy moisturisers for lighter options – which is partly true – but it’s still worth keeping the best barrier repair creams close to hand. Why? Because a damaged skin barrier isn’t just a winter issue.
“The skin barrier is critical to our skin health and our overall wellbeing,” says Alicia Zalka, MD, a consultant dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University. “The skin surface is our interface with the outside world, and the skin barrier helps keep the ‘good stuff’ in and repels the ‘bad stuff’ from gaining access.” In short: barrier repair products act as a nourishing, protective layer.
So, when you’re dealing with breakouts, dehydration, rosacea, dermatitis, eczema, transepidermal water loss, or any other skin concern, there’s a strong chance you’re in need of skin barrier repair. The best way to rebalance your complexion is with a barrier cream. “Anyone who notices their skin change in appearance, especially in drier climates, can benefit from a barrier repair cream,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a consultant dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.
After consulting dermatologists and spending over a month testing the most popular options, we’ve rounded up the best barrier repair creams for all skin types to help keep your skin healthy, happy and glowing.
Featured in this article
1. Best Barrier Repair Cream Overall: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
When I asked fellow beauty writers for their favourite barrier repair cream, almost everyone named this pick from Kiehl’s (this is also one of my go-tos). Honestly, it’s unsurprising considering its gentle formulation and weightless texture. Where many barrier creams can feel heavy, this one features a unique balm-to-cream texture that immediately sinks into skin. GLAMOUR US contributor Jamie Wilson appreciates this aspect because it doesn’t leave behind any trace of greasiness nor does it sit on top of dry patches. In fact, when she uses this for two or three nights, her dry spots completely disappear.
The calming mix of colloidal oatmeal, beta-glucan (a skin-repairing molecule that smooths rough skin), and glycerin is extremely gentle and more than suitable for sensitive skin too. I religiously applied this after getting a chemical peel and my complexion was back to normal - and more radiant than before—in a matter of days. This isn’t just great for treatment aftercare, though. GLAMOUR US contributor Ariel Wodarcyk, who has dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin, says this immediately soothes her complexion whether she’s experiencing a flare-up due to the weather or everyday stressors, like pollution or stress. “It’s extremely nourishing and gentle, so if I’m experiencing a bout of irritation this will help calm it,” she says.
- What we love: Lightweight; absorbs instantly; also addresses fine lines and wrinkles
- What could be improved: The tube key used to get every last drop is sold separately
2. Best Barrier Cream for Body: CeraVe Healing Ointment
While slathering CeraVe’s healing ointment on your face will provide you with some much-needed relief when your skin is dry and chapped, Alicia Zalka, MD, a consultant dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, says this multitasker can be used to “nurture any skin that’s stressed, injured, or just needs soothing.” That means if your thighs are chafing in the summer, a dot of this on the affected area will ease the pain; those with severely chapped lips can apply this as a protective barrier; and she even recommends putting it on paper cuts for quicker healing.
Compared to other ointments, Dr. Zalka appreciates that this doesn’t contain lanolin (a common allergen) and instead utilises a restorative mix of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and petrolatum to hydrate, heal, and protect skin. Glamour’s senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle like to apply this ointment on her hands and lips. “Between the dry winter air and the space heaters in my apartment, I need all the moisture I can get. This is a reliable and affordable product for my ashy hands and super-dry lips.”
- What we love: Can be used on cuts and dry spots to speed up the healing process; comes in a massive tub
- What could be improved: Can feel a bit greasy
3. Best Barrier Cream for Mature Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Exo + Ectoin Intensive Repair Baume
Post in-office treatments, most derms will give you a special cream to use to help with healing. This cream is essentially as close as you’ll get to those balms, and it even comes with the seal of approval from Dr. Hartman. “This formula has a B-L3 complex that has been shown to help restore skin’s moisture barrier quickly for hydrated, radiant, and dewy skin,” he says. Despite the rich, thick consistency, he also mentions that “It applies easily and absorbs quickly into the skin.”
This cream goes a step further than simply replenishing skin, though. The growth factor peptides plump the skin and specifically target fine lines and wrinkles - a.k.a. signs of aging - and boosts elasticity with consistent daily use. You might even see better anti-ageing results from this than your standard retinol treatment.
- What we love: Can minimise fine lines and wrinkles; extra plush texture; the pump keeps the formula fresh
- What could be improved: The pump sometimes gets clogged
4. Best Barrier Cream for Sensitive Skin: Tower28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream
Being basic isn’t a bad thing - especially when it comes to skin care for sensitive skin. The simpler the product is, the better it is for those with reactive skin. If you fall into this category, Dr. Greenfield recommends this humectant-rich cream from Tower28. “This is made specially for sensitive skin, feels non-greasy, and is powered by ceramides and hyaluronic acid to strengthen the skin barrier,” she says.
While I don’t have sensitive skin, I still rely on this cream when my dry skin feels unbalanced. I keep it tucked in my carry-on for long trips — arid aeroplane cabins really wreck havoc on my complexion — and smoothing a small dollop of the plush cream all over my face during takeoff guarantees I’ll be feeling soft and supple by the time I reach my destination.
- What we love: Holds the National Eczema Association seal of acceptance; great for sensitive skin; doesn’t feel heavy
- What could be improved: Can make makeup pill
5. Best Barrier Cream for Oily Skin: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream
.png)
If you have oily or combination skin, you might think that barrier creams are off the table for you. How could something so heavy be beneficial? Well, it’s still possible to experience dry spots and flakiness with these skin types, which GLAMOUR US writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary knows all too well. Despite being oilier than average, she still develops dry patches on her cheeks and deals with peeling around her eyebrows. When the dryness appears, Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream comes to the rescue.
“While it’s thick, it’s not super heavy or greasy,” Kilkeary says. “It’s chock-full of ceramides, glycerin, and panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and it really lives up to the hype of these ingredients. I find that it makes my skin texture super plush and hydrated after use, and my skin just drinks it up—it never makes me super shiny or breaks me out, which is a total win too.”
- What we love: Suitable for combination and oily skin; not heavy or greasy; plush texture
- What could be improved: The tube is pretty small considering the price
6. Best Lightweight Barrier Cream: Rhode Barrier Restore Cream
I’m super skeptical about celebrity skin care lines, but Ms. Bieber created a hell of a barrier cream that’s widely loved by GLAMOUR editors. “I have combination, oily skin so I was hesitant to use this cream. The texture is on the thicker side, but after applying thoroughly I’m left with a glowy, radiant finish. It doesn’t feel heavy on my face and actually absorbs quickly, so I can wear it with makeup. In fact, it’s been a great winter moisturiser,” says GLAMOUR's Calle.
The ingredient list contains a cocktail specially designed to reinforce and preserve the skin barrier, as well as keep it healthy. Shea butter and squalane keep moisture locked in for hours, while peptides, antioxidants, fatty acids, and niacinamide plump the skin and work to minimise fine lines. I also love that this leaves behind a natural glow that makes me look super refreshed, even if my skin has been struggling. Shop more of the best Rhode products here.
- What we love: Pillowy soft; simple yet effective; gives skin a nice glow
- What could be improved: While it provides a cooling sensation, some people say it feels too tingly and uncomfortable
7. Best Barrier Cream with SPF: Paula's Choice Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
By now, we hope you all know how important SPF is, which is why we love this multi-tasking barrier-supporting lotion that also protects against UVA and UVB rays. It's a mineral sunsreen, enriched with a soothing blend of allantoin, centella asiatica and prebiotics to reduce redness, protect the skin barrier and deeply moisturise. Use every AM to make sure your skin is protected from every angle.
“I've had a few different Paula's Choice face sunscreens on rotation of late, but this barrier protect formula is my favourite. While – industry-wide – face SPF formulas have come a long way over the past few years, they can still feel a little heavy," says Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR Senior European Commerce Editor. "This one doesn't, at all. It's lightweight, doesn't leave a white cast, and gives my skin a lit-from-within glow. I love using it atop my daily moisturiser and beneath makeup – but can actually get away with not using another moisturiser beneath it at all.” Shop more of the best moisturisers with SPF here.
- What we love: Lightweight, hydrating texture with added antioxidants and doesn't leave a cast.
- What could be improved: Finish can feel a little dewy/greasy on oily skin types, and it's pricier than some high-street mineral sunscreens
8. Best Barrier Cream for Nighttime: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5
When your skin is completely out of whack and you feel like you’ve tried everything to rebalance it, you might want to drop all the products you’ve been using and exclusively apply this TikTok-viral rich night cream. The thickest pick on our list, this heavy-duty lotion can address just about any issue — even rough, cracked hands and diaper rash — without feeling goopy or uncomfortable. After just a few moments it completely sinks into skin and doesn’t leave behind a greasy finish whatsoever.
The formula is simple yet effective with a proven blend of vitamin B5, shea butter, and glycerin that intensely soothes and replenishes skin so it can go back to its healthy state. Don’t be fooled by the small bottle. A little dab goes a long way and should last you many months, even if you use it for your hands and face. I actually like how tiny the tube is—it makes it easy to store it in my purse and use when irritation strikes on the go.
- What we love: Deeply nourishing; a little goes a long way; can help with redness
- What could be improved: It can leave a slight white cast if you use too much
Your skin barrier repair cream questions, answered:
What do barrier repair creams do?
Consider your skin barrier the gateway to your skin health. When you’re dealing with any sort of irritation or inflammation, including acne or eczema, your skin barrier is most likely compromised. This is where barrier repair creams come in to save the day. Much like the name suggests, Dr. Hartman explains that “barrier repair creams are designed to repair and protect the skin barrier.” They’re typically formulated with a mix of emollients (like shea butter, ceramides, or squalane), and occlusives (like petrolatum), which together hydrate and lock moisture into the skin, he says.
How are barrier repair creams different from regular moisturisers?
Despite both being creams, barrier repair creams and your everyday moisturiser function a bit differently. “Barrier repair creams are typically thicker and specially formulated to simultaneously add moisture and maintain the health of the skin barrier,” Dr. Hartman says. “Whereas a regular moisturiser typically just adds moisture to the skin.” Think of barrier repair creams like a nourishing plaster that repairs any cracks in your skin’s foundation to maintain a healthy skin barrier and keep it functioning properly.
How can I tell if my skin barrier is damaged?
Whenever your skin doesn’t look refreshed, hydrated, and supple, there’s a good chance your skin barrier is compromised. If you experience any cracked, very dry, inflamed, itchy, flaky, and/or all-around uncomfortable skin, you should start using a barrier repair cream and consult with your dermatologist.
How often should I use a barrier repair cream?
If you’re dealing with dry, flaky, or irritated skin, our experts recommend adding a barrier cream to your care routine twice daily—once in the morning and once in the evening. That said, because barrier creams tend to be richer and thicker than your daily moisturiser, they can sometimes feel a bit too heavy for daytime wear. In this case, it’s totally fine to apply it once a day before bed. You’ll still experience the benefits from once-daily application.
Should everyone use a barrier repair cream?
“Not everyone needs to use a barrier repair cream, but I find that most people would benefit from using one, especially in the winter months when environmental factors like cold, dry air and wind lead to an increase in moisture loss in the skin,” says Dr. Hartman. “Protecting the skin barrier and keeping it intact and healthy can help shield skin from harsh environmental conditions.” Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group adds that, aside from seasonal needs, it’s a good idea for those with “dry and eczema-prone skin” to keep a barrier repair cream on hand year round for when they experience flare-ups.
Meet the experts
- Alicia Zalka, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology
- Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group
- Rosi Chapman, skincare expert and founder of Transformulas.
- Dr Sonia, a GP and dermatology expert for Hero Cosmetics
What ingredients should you look for in a barrier repair cream?
“Ingredients should be long-lasting, non-reactive and occlusive. Avoid products with strong fragrances or even natural essential oils,” explains Dr Sonia, a GP and dermatology expert for Hero Cosmetics. Instead, she recommends looking for panthenol – a humectant and emollient that helps your skin to retain moisture. Moisture magnets glycerin and hyaluronic acid are other humectants that she recommends looking for. Hyaluronic acid especially “hydrates without clogging pores, making it great for all skin types.”
Squalane, colloidal oatmeal, niacinamide and ceramides are all other ingredients that Dr Sonia rates, thanks to their collective antioxidant, strengthening, moisturising, soothing and restorative properties.
“My top ingredient recommendation to look for in a barrier repair cream is algae,” adds Rosi Chapman, skincare expert and founder of Transformulas. “It's a multi-tasking ingredient that adds high levels of moisture and hydration to the skin, and it's also got natural healing benefits to help scars and wounds too.”
