Dermatologists wax poetic about changing your skin care routine with the seasons. As we head into the warmer spring months, you might think that means swapping out heavy moisturizers for lighter options—which is partially true—but you should still keep the best barrier repair creams at the ready. Why? Well, damaged skin barriers aren’t just a winter issue.
“The skin barrier is critical to our skin health and our overall well-being,” says Alicia Zalka, MD, a board-certified 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.” TL;DR: 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 condition, there’s a major 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 use a barrier repair cream,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Alabama.
After consulting with dermatologists and spending over a month testing the most popular options, we compiled the best barrier repair creams for all skin types for healthy, happy, glowing skin.
The best barrier repair creams, at a glance
- Best Overall: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream, $48
- Best for Day Time: Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer, $45
- Best for Body: CeraVe Healing Ointment, $15
- Best for Mature Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Exo + Ectoin Intensive Repair Baume,
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream
- Best for Oily Skin: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Best Barrier Repair Cream Overall: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
When I asked fellow beauty writers for their favorite 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 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 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
Best Barrier Repair Cream for Day Time: Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
Every winter my skin becomes dry, red, and flaky—almost like clockwork. This year I prepared for the worst and swapped my typical moisturizer for Dieux’s Instant Angel. While I expected irritation to appear as soon as the temperatures dipped below freezing, my skin maintained its ethereal glow all season long, and I fully attribute it to this cream.
Compared to other barrier creams on this list, Dieux Instant Angel isn’t super thick or balmy: Its texture is silky, soft, and (dare I say) heavenly? This makes it one of the top choices for daytime use. The recommended quarter-size dollop may seem like a lot, but it seamlessly sinks into skin and keeps my complexion pillowy with a mix of protective lipids, ceramides, and amino acids. Thanks to Instant Angel, my skin felt impermeable to the elements, and now when I have any sort of issue—whether it be an adverse reaction to a new product or a gnarly sunburn—I smooth this over my skin and know it’ll be back to cherub skin status soon.
- 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
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 board-certified 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 utilizes 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
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 antiaging results from this than your standard retinol treatment.
- What we love: Can minimize fine lines and wrinkles; extra plush texture; the pump keeps the formula fresh
- What could be improved: The pump sometimes gets clogged
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 airplane 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
Best Barrier Cream for Oily Skin: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
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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 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 Moisturizing 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
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 moisturizer,” 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 minimize 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.
- 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
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 balm. 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 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 moisturizers?
Despite both being creams, barrier repair creams and your everyday moisturizer 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 moisturizer typically just adds moisture to the skin.” Think of barrier repair creams like a nourishing Band-Aid 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 moisturizer, 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
