Skin Feeling Tight, Irritated or Dry? You Need a Barrier Cream ASAP
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
Friends, I have some good news and some bad news.
Good news first always (right?).
Ok, the good news is…
Winter is over very soon.
The bad news?
If you live in any of the southern Australian states (not naming names but I’m looking at you Melbourne), the cold, dry air, biting winds and chilly days are far from over, most likely lingering around til October.
Which can mean your face might still be experiencing tightness, irritation or feeling sensitive. If this is the case, then take this as a sign that your skin barrier needs some extra support.
I literally just went for a stroll outside in the sun with a full face of sunscreen and moisturiser and it still felt like the cold air just slapped me in the face.
(BTW, if you haven’t yet tuned in to the third episode of Beauty IQ Expert where skin therapist Tegan Mac takes us through what the signs of an impaired barrier are, then stop what you’re doing right now and listen here.)
A little preview for you:
To help nurse your impaired barrier back to health, incorporating products like a barrier cream can be extremely helpful.
Think of them like lifeguards for your face.
They keep watch, creating a protective film on your skin, and if they see your barrier in trouble or drowning in irritations?
They dive in to rescue you ASAP.
It’s their solemn, double duty to hydrate and protect!
I reached out to Dermal Therapist and regular Beauty IQ writer Yadira Cauchi on what she thinks are some of the best barrier creams in her expert opinion.
From a few best sellers with very modest price points to your stronger cosmeceuticals, keep scrolling for five you can add to cart right now if you’re experiencing an upset barrier.
Barrier Cream Benefits.
The National Library of Medicine states that:
‘Our skin is our first line of defence against microbial invasion.
The skin's most outer layer called the stratum corneum provides a protective barrier. This outer layer can be damaged in many ways and a common cause of damage is through moisture.'
External factors can affect the moisture in the skin so to manage this, a barrier cream can prove to be extremely useful as their main function is to protect and hydrate your skin.
Barrier creams also help stop transepidermal water loss by forming a protective barrier or film on the skin.
Plus, their restorative powers can also work to heal existing cuts and cracks in the skin as well as soothe burns.
Eczema? Dermatitis? Rosacea? Your trusty barrier cream is here to help.
Ok that’s all well and good, but what’s the difference between a normal moisturiser and a barrier cream?
While your ordinary moisturiser helps to hydrate the outer layer of the skin, a barrier cream (usually thicker in texture) works to *repair* your actual barrier.
Key ingredients that help them do this include: zinc, dimethicone as well as pre and probiotics.
How to Use a Barrier Cream?
Remember how we talked about them being lifeguards?
Because of the protective seal they create on the skin, it’s best to use your barrier cream of choice as the last step in your skincare routine.
It’s also been said that age management serums perform best when paired with a barrier cream! Worth a try I say.
Best Barrier Creams for Dry and Irritated Skin.
1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+, $24.95.
No surprises here.
The famous La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ has set the best affordable skincare bar high, even in the barrier-supporting category.
A holy grail for many (including myself), it had a recent formula renovation last year with the inclusion of a prebiotic complex making it even more supportive for your barrier.
It continues to be endorsed by customers, Skinfluencers and Derms.
Actually that reminds me I’m due for a top up, brb I’m off the get the jumbo size.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ review:
"Definitely lives up to the hype. When my skin barrier is damaged or even when my skin is just feeling a little bit dry, I apply a thick layer of this product and I wake up with plump, happy looking skin. Really calming and non-irritating. Although, if you apply too thick of a layer, it can leave white residue." - AB Customer Sae.
2.CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm, $26.99.
A newly launched barrier balm that we wished existed since the dawn of time!
I, along with some of my AB colleagues have been loving this multi-purpose balm (read our reviews here) that draws its repairing powers from ingredients like petrolatum, hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Its multi-purpose nature means besides using it to soothe, protect and restore rough, dry or compromised skin, you can also use it as a salve for other pesky dry areas like elbows, knees etc.
It’s also alcohol free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores).
3. Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream, $37.99.
A personal favourite of Yadira's, this cult cream was made even more famous by Hailey Bieber thanks to its soothing and nourishing powers.
Most importantly though, it creates a protective film that helps to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier leaving it softer, more supple as well as nourished.
It can also be used on the body.
Key ingredients include:
C+ Restore: a patented postbiotic ingredient derived from Avène Thermal Spring Water which supports the skin microbiome.
Copper-Zinc Sulphate: has a protective effect and supports skin recovery.
Avène Thermal Spring Water: for its soothing and softening properties.
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream review:
"This really helped me restore my skin barrier after suffering from acne and trialling too many products in lockdown. It's thick so rub between hands to soften before applying." - AB Customer V.
4. Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Intense, $84.
This cosmeceutical cream is ideal for those who need a strong helping hand particularly during downtime after any aesthetic treatments like laser etc.
It helps restore redness while also intensely nourishing the skin leaving it feeling more comfortable.
Plus, its ultra-rich formula helps boost hydration levels.
Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Intense review:
"This is a great moisturiser for super dry skin! I have eczema and sensitive skin, after getting a chemical peel my skin was red, angry and dry with huge eczema flare ups. This moisturiser was a life saver! Perfect to use when you are feeling a little dry or after treatments!" - AB Customer Maddi.
5. Cosmedix Rescue Intense Hydrating Balm & Mask, $105.
Cosmedix is a brand fave for Yads so it’s only natural that this soothing balm that helps relieve redness made her list.
With an artificial fragrance-free formula, it calms and helps to restore the skin to its healthy condition.
Key ingredients include:
Shea Butter: provides a nutrient-rich barrier on the skin.
D-Panthenol: helps retain the natural moisture levels in the skin.
Cherry Extracts: a powerful blend of antioxidants rich in Vitamin C that help to soothe dry skin and protect against free radicals.
Willowherb Extract: helps to reduce appearance of redness.
This emollient cosmeceutical balm and mask hybrid can also be used as an intense overnight mask.
A good one if redness, dryness or flaking is showing up on your skin.
Catch up on some of our other recent skincare articles below:
