With the first day of winter just a few weeks away, our skin care routines may need an upgrade. The cool weather can be drying, the windy breeze is irritating and the combination often has a negative effect on our skin barrier.
The skin barrier is absolutely vital for a healthy complexion. But you might be asking: Why is it so important? For instance, our skin barrier protects our skin from environmental stressors, keeps us hydrated, and, overall, acts as a shield. If it's compromised (in other words, irritated or damaged), you might notice some redness or dryness.
That's why the internet has been raving about products that are catered towards treating the skin barrier (many TikTok videos around the term have millions of views, for instance). But if you don't know where to start on your skin barrier journey, NewBeauty Senior-Editor-at-Large Sarah Eggenberger recently shared on the show some of her favorite products and tricks for optimal skin health this winter.
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Best skin barrier products seen on TODAY
A product that proves gentle is the new tough:
Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
Before revamping your routine, Eggenberger suggests identifying any triggers that might do skin barrier damage. Once you do, you'll want to follow with gentle products and proper makeup removal. One product she suggests is this cleanser from Face Reality, which helps calm and hydrate the skin for a healthy microbiome (what contributes to clear skin).
"Although these pointers may seem too trivial to make a difference, not removing all traces of makeup clogs the pores, inflames the skin which weakens the barrier," she adds.
Products for a moisture sandwich:
Avène Thermal Spring Water
"Moisture is the cornerstone of a skin care routine that yields positive results," explains Eggenberger. "Hydrated skin equals a happy barrier and a strong, resilient one." The beauty expert loves this quick boost of hydration from Avène, as you can use it as often as necessary or whenever your skin needs some comfort. "It will calm irritated skin, and help calm a stressed mental state," Eggenberger adds.
Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum
After applying the mist, Eggenberger recommends following with Merit's Instant Glow Serum. In fact, it is true to its name, as the product "quickly hydrates and visibly plumps skin while helping to leave it calmer, visibly brighter and more even-looking over time," thanks to niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, says Eggenberger. "When you treat your skin with care, it responds by looking fresh, smooth and balanced."
Skin barrier, your skin’s superhero cape:
SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50
"The skin barrier is your body’s first line of defense against environmental stressors like the harsh weather," explains Eggenberger, so you'll want to maintain a strong barrier by feeding it well. And since the sun still shines in the winter, achieve both moisture and protection with SkinCeuticals Soothing UV Defense Cream.
Best to soothe and hydrate sensitive and redness-prone skin, the cream "helps to reduce the appearance of visible redness, improve skin texture and deliver all-day hydration," she adds.
Tower28 SOS Recovery Cream
Eggenberger raves that this Tower28 moisturizer was made for adding a protective and hydrating seal for your skin barrier. She describes it as a "cushiony soft cream" that "instantly hydrates, soothes irritation [and] helps reinforce the skin barrier." The moisturizer has even earned a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association.
Barrier repair rehab:
Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream
If your skin barrier is irritated, Eggenbeger says your skin "feels tight, irritated, mad and dry. That is when you know its time to give your barrier some TLC." Thus, Eggenberger recommends reaching for a powerful and reparative cream like Dermalogicia's Stabilizing Repair Cream.
It's main powerhouse is ceramides, which the beauty expert says is "a must" for treating the skin barrier. She adds that the cream is "instantly soothing upon contact, nourishing and stabilizing" for a stronger barrier.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Sheet Mask
After going in with a thick layer of the cream above (or another one of your choice!), Eggenberger recommends sealing the deal with this sheet mask from Neutrogena. "The material is made from a Hydrogel that contours to your face and seals in all the active ingredients, ensuring all the good stuff is packed into your skin," she raves. "Your skin will feel bouncier and oh-so-good."
Locking in hydration:
La Roche Posey Cicaplast Balm B5
"As we get older, our skin slows down its own production of lipids, ceramides and hydration, which are three key components that make up the skin barrier," Eggenberger explains. "Opt for products that restore moisture and create an occlusive barrier keeping your skin’s balance intact is the foundation of glowing, resilient skin," she suggests, including this pick from La Roche Posay.
This balm is more of a richer formula, which Eggenberger says is a "all-in-one balm" for soothing and repairing dry, inflamed skin. It can even heal wounds!
Aquaphor Healing Ointment Moisturizing Body Spray
"The product of a million and one uses now has comes to the rescue of the hard-to-reach areas with the spray application," notes Eggenberger. Any body dryness you might have should be soothed and relieved after using this highly moisturizing spray, which the beauty experts says will make your arms and legs glow, too. "It just makes your skin dewy, soft and serves a very important purpose," she boasts.
More skin barrier products
The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturizer
This velvety, ceramide-rich moisturizer won the award as the 'best overall face moisturizer' during our annual Beauty Awards. We loved it for its creamy texture, price point and all of its benefits, from smoothing fine lines to supporting the skin barrier.
Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum
Cocokind's Ceramide Barrier Serum contains five types of ceramides and lipids to prevent transepidermal water loss and irritation. What's left after consistent use is skin that is plump, comfortable and hydrated.
Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum
The benefits of using hyaluronic acid ranges from boosting your skin's hydration to giving it a 'plump' appearance. This one from Good Molecules contains two forms of the ingredient at different molecular weights to penetrate deeper into the skin.
EltaMD Skin Restore Body Cream
What's great about this EltaMD body cream, outside of its highly moisturizing ingredients, is that you can use it on both the face and body to relieve dryness. Just use morning and night for smooth skin without the greasy or heavy residue.
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Meet the expert
- Sarah Eggenberger is a beauty and lifestyle expert, NewBeauty Senior-Editor-at-Large, TODAY contributor and on-air beauty correspondent.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
