Once winter rolls around, my skin begins to rival the desert. Bone dry, cracking, chapped, peeling, parched — you name it, my skin does it. But is there a solution for a compromised skin barrier? There is, in fact — and it oftentimes comes in the form of a barrier repair cream.
“Barrier repair creams are designed to repair and protect the skin barrier,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “They typically are formulated with a mix of emollients (hydrating ingredients) and occlusives, which help lock in moisture on the skin.”
Along with Hartman, I spoke with other dermatologists and skin care experts who shared do’s and don’ts for finding the best barrier repair creams to restore hydration and moisture. There are also a few Shop TODAY favorites below, all of which I've tried.
Keep reading to learn about how barrier repair cream works and discover time-tested and recommended formulas from Skinfix, Drunk Elephant, Dermalogica and more.
What does a barrier repair cream do?
Barrier repair creams are typically thicker than standard moisturizers since they’re designed to repair damage to the skin barrier.
“They’re created to repair damaged skin by preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental stressors like harsh weather,” says Erica Marie Gatt, an esthetician based in Hermosa Beach, California. “They help restore, heal and strengthen a compromised skin barrier.”
And, in case you’re curious about what a skin barrier actually is, the answer is simple: the barrier of your skin. (OK, it’s a little more deep than that — but, also, not really. The skin barrier, aka the stratum corneum, is the outermost part of the epidermis.)
“Your skin’s barrier is an organ that defends your body against environmental threats and helps maintain the body’s water balance,” Gatt says. “It protects against harmful microorganisms, oxidative stress and UV rays, all while keeping your skin looking healthy and glowing.”
Best barrier repair creams, according to experts
Recommended by multiple experts: Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream
- Rich, buttery formula
- Comes in different sizes
- Noncomedogenic
- Refill doesn't fit all jars
Key ingredients: 3.5% patented B-L3™ Complex, nutripeptide blend, glycerin | Size: 1.7 oz.
This is the go-to skin barrier cream for Hartman, who likes that it applies easily and absorbs quickly. He points to the moisturizer’s B-L3 complex, which is “shown to help restore skin’s moisture barrier quickly for hydrated, radiant and dewy skin,” he says.
Meanwhile, a nutripeptide blend helps firm, reduce redness and soothe skin. It’s also a favorite of Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, and Gatt — the latter of whom notes it’s great after more intensive treatments like lasers, microneedling and chemical peels. “It helps heal the skin and make it look so youthful and plump,” she says.
Silky-smooth: PCA Skin Silkcoat Balm
- Silky balm formula
- Nourishing ingredients
- Some say it dries skin
Key ingredients: Jojoba seed, hydrolyzed silk, vitamin E, squalane | Size: 1.7 oz.
“If your skin could wear a silk coat in winter, it would be PCA Skin Silkcoat Balm,” raves aesthetician Natalie Aguilar. “This rich, soothing balm is packed with hydrating ingredients that work wonders to restore a healthy skin barrier.”
Those ingredients include glycerin, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E and squalane.
Ceramide-building formula: Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream
- Balm-to-cream formula
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Some say it's heavy and greasy
Key ingredients: Ceramide-building complex, circa, resurrection plant, tasmania lanceolota extract, boerhavia diffusa root | Size: 1.7 oz.
A combination of nourishing and soothing ingredients makes this skin barrier cream a favorite of Chacon’s. “It repairs and strengthens your skin’s barrier while leaving your skin extra smooth with that desirable glow,” she says, noting that it’s also a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
Speaking of those ingredients, the balmy-cream formula has a proprietary ceramide-building complex with nourishing lipids to help lock in moisture, while a blend of circa, resurrection plant, tasmania lanceolota extract and boerhavia diffusa root help reduce redness and discomfort.
Environmentally friendly: Deinde Barrier-Building Moisture Cream
- Bio-based formula
- Plumps and nourishes skin
- Cream is too thin for some
Key ingredients: Naringenin, polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid, skin-identical lipids | Size: 1.7 oz.
Hartman is a fan of this skin barrier cream because of its bio-based formula that “helps defend skin against inflammaging by helping strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier,” he says.
He also likes the inclusion of the ingredient naringenin, which he says is “clinically proven to visibly reduce fine lines, restore elasticity, sustain moisture and protect against environmental stressors.”
The cream comes in a bright green tub that adds a pop of pizzazz to your vanity, too.
Luxury pick: Vie De Mer Soothing Day Cream
- Free of preservatives
- Pricey option
Key ingredients: Fatty acids derived from coconut oil, hydrolyzed enteromorpha, sugar kelp | Size: 1.7 oz.
Aguilar likes this skin barrier cream because of its thinner, yet still effective consistency. “It has a medium-weight texture that blends smoothly into your skin while providing intense hydration and helping to repair damaged tissue,” she says.
It’s formulated with nourishing ingredients like sugar kelp and fatty acids from coconut oil to help replenish a damaged skin barrier and boost moisture.
Best barrier repair creams, according to editors
Budget friendly: Byoma Barrier + Treatment
- Super affordable
- A little goes a long way
- Pump may take long to dispense
Key ingredients: Barrier lipid complex, avocado oil, ectoin, squalane | Size: 1.69 oz.
This barrier repair cream packs a skin-soothing punch, and it rings up under $20. I love the cream’s blend of avocado oil, squalane and the brand’s barrier lipid complex, which make my skin feel super nourished instantaneously.
Sometimes I even use it on my hands when they’re feeling a little worse for wear and it brings them back to life immediately.
Hydrating with hyaluronic acid: Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream
- Sinks into skin quickly
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Some say it runs out quickly
Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 oz., 3.38 oz.
If you want the hydrating combination of hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this is the barrier repair cream for you. The formula is light and refreshing, yet nourishing enough to sink deeply into the skin and reveal a more hydrated, youthful glow. I’ve used it on both my face and as a hand cream, and I noticed an immediate difference in softness and smoothness.
Peptides-packed: Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream
- Helps reduce fine lines
- Clay-mask consistency
- A little goes a long way
- Some people dislike texture
Key ingredients: Plant-based polypeptide complex, resurrection plant extract, squalane, watermelon seed oil | Size: 1.7 oz.
I first used this barrier repair cream on a day when my skin was feeling especially dehydrated, and I was amazed at the immediate difference. It has an almost clay mask-like consistency, yet it smooths onto skin effortlessly and sinks in immediately. Every time I use it, my skin is bouncier and dewier.
An "instant favorite": Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier™ Repair Cream
- Unique push-down applicator
- Rich formula without heaviness
- Pricey option
Key ingredients: Butterlipid complex, zinc and copper gluconates, alpha glucan | Size: 1.69 oz.
This is the first barrier repair cream I ever tried, and it became an instant favorite. That’s thanks to a variety of factors, chief among them the unique push-down applicator which dispenses just enough product in one pump.
It’s really just a bonus that the super-hydrating formula feels rich and thick, yet never heavy, and it sinks immediately into skin with no greasy residue. I use this as a night cream in my evening skin care routine, and wake up with glowing, super-smooth skin come morning.
Lightweight gel cream: Dr. Loretta Barrier Repair Gel Cream
- Lightweight
- Gel-cream formula
- Free of fragrances
- Need a few pumps to dispense
Key ingredients: Peptides, ceramides, vegan postbiotic, tripeptide-38 | Size: 1.7 oz.
Let’s “face” it — while thick, heavy moisturizers may feel great in the winter, they’re typically a bit too heavy for summertime use. Enter this gel-cream formula, which is soothing and lightweight enough for warmer temps. Its blend of peptides and ceramides leaves skin feeling dewy, plumped and refreshed.
Worth the splurge: BeautyBio The Quench Rapid Recovery Cream
- Soft, floral-like scent
- Formulated with lipids
- Pricey option
Key ingredients: Quadralipid technology, sunflower seed oil, lactic acid, ethically sourced beeswax | Size: 1.7 oz.
If I could drench my entire body in this moisturizer, I would. (Alright, actually, I have.) The rich formula contains nourishing lipids, collagen-boosting lactic acid, barrier-boosting sunflower seed oil and skin-sealing beeswax, and it feels absolutely luxurious the second it hits the skin. It also leaves behind a heady floral scent that’s just utterly delightful. A little goes a long way with this one, which is good since it’s on the pricier side.
Ingredients to keep in mind
At their heart, barrier repair creams are meant to provide added nourishment and hydration to damaged and dehydrated skin — so, to that effect, you want them to be packed with ingredients that do just that.
“Look for ultra-rich, extra-emollient ingredients,” says Chacon. “Thick butters like shea or coconut offer ultra hydration, while providing a layer of protection on the top of the skin.” She also recommends looking for ingredients like fatty acids and lipid-rich ceramides.
At a glance, some of the best ingredients to look for in barrier repair cream are shea butter, coconut oil, fatty acids, lipids, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and glycerin.
How do you repair your skin barrier?
Chacon tells us that “the skin barrier needs deep hydration and protection against external elements to strengthen and support the skin’s many layers."
She continues, "Using a skin barrier cream over an extended amount of time can result in not only glowing, healthy-looking skin, but cellular level health as well."
“Repairing your skin barrier takes time, so be patient with the process,” says Aguilar. She recommends avoiding acid-based products or other irritating ingredients, and refraining from over-exfoliating your skin.
“Focus on protecting and moisturizing your skin,” she says.
Frequently asked questions
The skin barrier does just that — it’s a barrier for the skin. “The main function of the skin barrier is to form a protective barrier from external elements, keep moisture in the skin and keep environmental aggressors out,” says Hartman.
Aguilar refers to the skin barrier as “your skin’s protective shield,” adding, “When the barrier is strong, your skin stays smooth, soft and protected from dryness or irritation.”
Thicker is definitely better here, since thinner moisturizers won’t sink as deeply into the skin. “The best consistency for a barrier repair cream is usually thick and rich,” Aguilar says. “It helps create that strong, protective layer that seals in moisture and shields your skin from irritants.”
However, Gatt recommends choosing a barrier repair cream based on your skin type, as follows:
- Gel-like creams: Good for all skin types
- Lighter creams: Oily skin or acne-prone skin
- Thicker creams: Dry skin
The good news is, anyone who feels the need to use a barrier cream can in fact do just that. “Anyone who notices their skin change its appearance, especially in drier climates, can use a barrier repair cream,” says Hartman, noting that those with dry skin or mature skin can especially benefit from incorporating one into their skin care routine.
Chacon agrees and says they can be used to help treat a variety of skin conditions as well. “Skin barrier creams are great for all skin types and have been proven to be extremely effective in treating uncomfortable skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis,” she says.
When it comes down to it, the frequency with which you use barrier repair cream is really up to you.
“Think of it as your skin’s little protective hug,” Aguilar says of barrier repair cream.
She says you can use it morning and night, especially if your skin feels extra dry or sensitive — and you can even apply it throughout the day for a little boost. “The great thing is, barrier creams can be used for just a few days or for months, depending on how long it takes your skin to feel back to normal,” she says.
The short answer? After. This is because skin barrier creams help to seal in all the moisture you’re hoping comes back to your skin, and you want that hydration locked into place.
After cleansing and applying serum and moisturizer, it’s time for your barrier cream. “Think of it as sealing in all the good stuff and keeping out the bad,” Chacon says. “Applying this thicker, more emollient cream after your serums and moisturizer works to lock in those key ingredients and protect the outer layer from harmful allergens and irritants — it’s truly the outer line of defense for your skin.”
Additionally, you may find that you only need barrier cream. “If your skin feels like it needs fewer products, you can apply the barrier cream directly after cleansing,” Gatt recommends.
How we chose
We chose the best barrier repair creams based on advice given by experts regarding the benefits of each, such as providing extra moisture and hydration to the skin as well as helping protect against external aggressors. We also considered specific nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, lipids and ceramides.
Meet the experts
- Natalie Aguilar is a nurse, aesthetician and owner of N4 Skincare in La Jolla, California.
- Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist, global dermatology innovator, teledermatology pioneer and founder of Miami Derm in Coral Gables, Florida.
- Erica Marie Gatt is an esthetician and the founder of EM Skin Studio in Hermosa Beach, California.
- Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
