10 Top-Rated Barrier Creams for Intense Repair and Protection
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10 Top-Rated Barrier Creams for Intense Repair and Protection
Anyone whose skincare routine contains retinol, AHAs or BHAs, and other active ingredients understand the true power of a barrier cream. Think of a barrier cream as a bandaid that protects your skin and helps prevent any further damage. Typically, these types of products are thicker in texture and contain nourishing ingredients like aloe, shea butter, or hyaluronic acids.
If your main skincare woes are hyperpigmentation and fine lines or wrinkles, chances are you've seen what a damaged barrier looks like. “The key to healthy glowing skin is a strong skin barrier. Once it's damaged it will appear dull, dry, and rough and lead to inflammation like redness, itching, acne breakouts, and discoloration,” Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a California-based, board-certified dermatologist, tells ELLE.com.
Without proper skin protection, you'll continue to encounter more skincare troubles and may even damage your skin more. If you buy another new skincare product this week, let it be a barrier cream. Scroll down for 10 of the best to choose from.
Getty Images - 2/13
1) Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Therapeutic Multi Purpose Cream
La Roche-Posay
ulta.com
$15.99
If you've scrolled long enough on #SkinTok, you've likely come across videos singing the praises of this cream. The minute you see dry patches cropping up on your face, reach for this product, which includes glycerin, shea butter, vitamin b5 and more to relieve dryness all over your body.
Ulta star rating: 4.7/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is a great product for dry, irritated skin and not great for acne-prone skin. It’s formulated with vitamin B5, canella extract, and shea butter to help heal the skin.” — Dr. Azadeh Shirazi
ulta.com - 3/13
2) Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Drunk Elephant
ulta.com
$60.00
The pretty purple packaging is enough to encourage a purchase, but deep in the tub lies a nourishing mix of six African oils, ceramides, and lipids to strengthen and restore balance to the skin.
Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “Drunk Elephant's Lala Retro is a heavier ceramide-based cream for dry skin types. Hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and omega acids help restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture.”
ulta.com - 4/13
3) Intense Recovery Complex
Azimid Skincare
azimdskincare.com
$66.00
For those using heavy acids or retinol, this feather-light cream from Azimid Skincare calms down irritated skin and reduces redness with the help of ceramides, vitamin E, plus cactus and yeast extracts.
Azimid Skincare star rating: 4.8/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is specifically formulated to support and repair the skin barrier. Four essential ceramides and phytosphingosine (natural lipids) restore the skin barrier; cactus and yeast extracts reduce irritation by down-regulating inflammatory markers and soothing the skin. Allantoin aids in healing the skin. It’s a lightweight but hydrating product.”
azimdskincare.com - 5/13
4) Durable Barrier Cream
3M Cavilon
amazon.com
$8.60
Cracked, flaky skin is no match for this derm favorite. As the name suggests, this cream works to protect and strengthen the skin to ward off chapped, dry skin, and rashes. A little goes a long way, so you'll have this around for a long time.
Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is a barrier cream that acts as a shield against irritants and stays on the skin, making it long-lasting. It helps the skin self-repair over time. It’s also fragrance-free.”
amazon.com - 6/13
5) Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Dr. Jart+
sephora.com
$48.00
Dr. Jart’s barrier cream is as much of a protector as it is a moisturizer. A combination of five ceramides, glycerin, and panthenol adds a surge of moisture to parched skin and leaves you looking plumped and refreshed.
Sephora star rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “Love this. Left my face feeling soft and properly moisturized. Wasn't too thick and not too watery either.”
sephora.com - 7/13
6) Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
Skinfix
sephora.com
$50.00
One pump of this cream deposits a super moisturizing medley of peptides, lipids, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter that melts into the skin to restore balance and improve elasticity and plumpness.
Sephora star rating: 4.3/5 stars
Our expert says: “If my skin could scream what its favorite product is, I'm pretty sure it would be this Skinfix barrier cream. As someone who relies heavily on retinol to ward off hyperpigmentation, this cream ensures my skin is receiving an adequate amount of moisture and hydration.”
sephora.com - 8/13
7) RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer
Paula's Choice
dermstore.com
$35.00
If you're hesitant about introducing retinol into your routine, this moisturizer from Paula's Choice makes it easy for you. The lightweight formula works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and gently exfoliates the skin. Also included in the mix are green tea, licorice root, and shea butter, which soothe any irritation and impart a healthy glow.
Dermstore star rating: 4.69/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer said: “I love this stuff. My second time purchasing. I haven't used retinol before this and it felt like a really great intro. My skin just looked a little more fresh and plump in the morning after using this as my moisturizer the night before. Will purchase again.”
dermstore.com - 9/13
8) 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
Soon Jung
amazon.com
$15.00
One of the golden rules of K-beauty is to always put your skin's health first. This cream from Soon Jung contains panthenol and shea butter to protect the barrier and calm the skin. Plus, it has a pH level that mimics the skin's natural pH, so you know your skin is getting the TLC it deserves.
Amazon star rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Wow!! I ran to put on this moisturizer as soon as I got it and I’m in love! It feels so good! I have incredibly dry skin and this is just wow! I’ll update after I’ve used it more but so far I’m so impressed!”
amazon.com - 10/13
9) Hydra Balm
SkinCeuticals
dermstore.com
$23.00
SkinCeuticals' Hydra Balm works wonders for post-procedure skin or for someone who has an AHA/BHA-heavy routine. The star of this balm is aloe, which relieves stressed, irritated skin; the petroleum-based balm serves as a barrier to lock in the moisture and benefits from your other skincare products (see: slugging).
Dermstore star rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer said: “I have gotten multiple microneedling/Morpheus 8 treatments and I use this balm after to soothe my skin. I also use it at night under my eyes to keep the skin moisturized. I love it!”
dermstore.com - 11/13
10) Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty
ulta.com
$36.00
Flaky, itchy skin can ruin anyone's day. Thankfully, First Aid Beauty's bestselling cream is the perfect antidote. Massaging this cream into your skin will help to eliminate dryness all over your body (works wonders for feet!) and maintains a hydrated (not greasy!) look throughout the day.
Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I have been using this for a week and it is wonderful. It feels light and provides wonderful moisture for my face. I can't wait to see what other results it provides.”
ulta.com - 12/13
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Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.
Hearst Owned - 13/13
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Is slugging good for the barrier?
Slugging works in the same way as a barrier cream, as it serves as a protectant to soothe and replenish hydration in the skin. Dr. Shirazi is a fan of the skincare practice. “Using an occlusive balm overnight like Vaseline can prevent trans-epidermal water loss to hydrate the skin and protect the skin’s surface to allow self-repair,” she says. Before you start slugging, make sure to remove all traces of makeup “because slugging can trap anything that’s on the skin’s surface, sometimes making it worse. Avoid strong actives like retinol or exfoliants and simply slug on top of clean moisturized skin.”
Hearst Owned
