SKIN MOISTURIZERS

How to Use Barrier

Creams (and the 10
Best Ones to Use)
written by A MY LEWIS U P DAT E D O N 0 8 / 2 2 / 2 2 1 1 : 3 8 A M

medically reviewed by MORGAN RABACH, MD / BOARD-CERTIFIED

DERM ATOLOGIST

fact checked by ANNA HARRIS

DESIGN BY TIANA CRISPINO

/ IN THIS ARTICLE

01 What Is Barrier Cream?

02 How To Use Barrier Creams

03 The Best Barrier Creams

S kin balms, salves, ointments; Barrier

creams go by many a name, but they’ve all
got the same goal in mind—to keep your skin
hydrated and protected. They can be useful if
your skin’s natural barrier function isn’t working
as it should, whether it's because of a skin
condition (think: eczema, dermatitis, rosacea,
and acne) or just an effect of the cold, dry
winter.

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Still, no matter the cause of your skin woes, one

thing's for sure: Dry and/or damaged skin can be
a real drag. That's why our ears perked up when
we heard about a product on the market
promising us healthy and hydrated skin. But
what are barrier creams, exactly? How do they
even work, and what are the best ones to use?
To find out what skin barrier creams are all
about, we turned to board-certified
dermatologists. Dr. Alicia Zalka and Dr. Annie
Gonzalez.

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MEET THE EXPERT

■ Dr. Alicia Zalka is a board-

certified dermatologist and the
founder of Surface Deep.

■ Annie Gonzalez, MD, FAAD,

is a board-certified
dermatologist at Riverchase
Dermatology. She is based in
Miami, FL.

What Is Barrier Cream?

"Barrier creams are used to aid the skin in its
most vital function: to keep what's good in and
to keep what's bad out," says Zalka.

Gonzalez explains: "Barrier creams maintain and

protect the physical barrier of the skin and
prevent the skin from drying out. They stop
transepidermal water loss and skin breakdown
by providing a topical barrier on the skin. These
creams can also heal skin tears and existing
wounds." By acting as a shield against potential
irritants, they are designed to create the ideal
environment for damaged skin to restore itself.

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So if barrier creams work by forming a

protective layer over the surface of your skin,
locking vital moisture in, are they essentially the
same thing as, say, moisturizers? Not exactly.
According to Gonzalez, "A moisturizer hydrates
the outer layer of the skin while barrier creams
restore the skin barrier itself. Barrier creams
repair damaged skin, allow the skin to heal itself,
and are usually thicker, while moisturizers
enhance skin hydration." Zalka compares barrier
creams to "adding a tarp over a leaky roof" and
notes that common ingredients in barrier creams
include petrolatum, wax, ceramides,
dimethicone, zinc oxide, nicotinamide,
hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

How to Use Barrier Creams

According to Zalka, barrier creams have a
number of uses, including:

■ Reducing friction and irritation

■ Retaining moisture and suppleness of the

skin (aka reducing transepidermal water loss)

■ Soothing burns and other injuries

■ Softening dry skin (think: chapped lips and

nostrils in the winter)

■ Protecting from chemicals or

environmental insults (can be used on hands
as an invisible glove)

■ Helping wound healing

■ Sealing cracks or fissures in the skin[1]

Since they act as a protective seal on the skin—

face and body—and therefore, prevent anything
you apply on top from being absorbed properly,
you’re likely best off using a barrier cream last in
your daytime routine or slathering it on over
your serum at night for an intensive hydration
session. "You can use a barrier cream every 40 to
72 hours, and I recommend using it as your final
step in your skincare regime and after you
moisturize. You should apply barrier cream last
because any other product you apply afterward
will not penetrate the skin," recommends
Gonzalez.

Certain products work especially well with

barrier creams, encouraging them to perform
better. For example, "If you use anti-aging
serums or peptides for your skin, the barrier
cream may help these products penetrate the
skin more easily (but remember to apply barrier
cream last)," says Gonzalez. She also warns:
"When using barrier creams, avoid sodium
lauryl sulfate to avoid irritation of the
skin." Fortunately, most barrier creams can be
used safely and effectively with no side effects;
however, if you experience any irritation after
using a barrier cream that persists or worsens,
it's best to stop use immediately and consult a
medical professional.

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The Best Barrier Creams

The key to finding a good barrier cream is
looking for breathable formulations (you’ll want
to avoid those 100 percent petroleum salves—we
don't want any clogged pores here), and come
packing reparative ingredients such as
ceramides, glycerin, nourishing plant oils, and
our new favorite ingredient, vitamin F.[2] Keep
scrolling for an edit of our top picks.

Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power

Creme ($98.00)

SHOP

Unlike traditional, goopier barrier creams, this

Estee Lauder moisturizer features a luxe texture
that soaks seamlessly into skin and layers well
under makeup.

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Eucerin Aquaphor Skin Repairing Balm ($20.00)

SHOP

This cult balm has a celebrity following that

includes the likes of Beyoncé and Emily
Ratajkowski. The paraffin-based formula also
contains glycerin, panthenol, and bisabolol,
meant to soothe and condition skin that's feeling
a little raw.

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Coloplast Baza Protect Moisture Barrier Cream

($14.00)

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Formulated with zinc oxide and dimethicone,

this moisture barrier cream is Gonzalez's pick
for those of us who have damaged skin. "This
product can reduce redness of the skin and
repair cuts. It also provides hydration and
protection to the barrier of the skin," she says.

Farmacy Honey Halo ($45.00)

SHOP

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Designed to soothe inflammation, Farmacy's

take on the barrier balm contains honey,
propolis, and royal jelly, for on-the-spot
protection.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Royal jelly is a term used to describe

creamy white secretions that come from
the throat glands of honeybees. It
hydrates, increases collagen production,
promotes wound healing, and fights
inflammation.

Cetraben Cream ($22.00)

SHOP

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A favorite among dermatologists, Cetraben's

richly moisturizing ointment is ideal for eczema
or dermatitis sufferers in need of a head-to-toe
slathering.

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Lano Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm

($17.00)

SHOP

Formulated with 100 percent lanolin, this

natural balm promises to work wonders on
cracked and chapped skin that needs a break
from the elements.

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Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream ($24.00)

SHOP

A skincare icon, the famous Eight Hour Cream

is a blend of petroleum and lanolin meant to
help heal any chapped skin ASAP.