The 9 Best Barrier Creams For All Your Sensitive Skin Woes – 2023
Add a protective layer to your skin to avoid allergic reactions and heal scaliness.
Georgia SmithCosmetologist
Expertise: Beauty Therapy
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Georgia Smith is a cosmetologist-turned-cosmetic chemist and has been in the industry for over 13 years as a beauty therapist. She is the founder of Skin Sister and owns a hugely successful, skin focused beauty salon in Sydney, Australia. G... more
Expertise: Product Reviews
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Sakshi Bahal is a commerce writer with a master's degree in English Literature from Calcutta University. She was a part of the editorial team of her school magazine. Her love for writing inspired her ... more
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Krati DarakCertified Skin Care Coach
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Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years o... more
Many skin care products contain certain harsh chemicals that might trigger allergic reactions on your skin. But, that does not necessarily mean that you stop using those products. The best barrier cream acts as a protective barrier between any allergens or contaminants and your skin. They are made of specific topical solutions that prevent issues like inflammation, redness, and more.
Various barrier creams are available on the market, and you can use them differently. Some are anti-solvent gels, protective skin creams, and pre-work creams, while others work as shielding lotions and protective ointments. While many options are available online, we have compiled a list of the best barrier creams in this article. Keep scrolling!
In This Article
9 Best Barrier Creams To Buy In 2023
1. Best Hydrating Formula:Epionce Medical Barrier Cream
Image: Epionce The Epionce Medical Barrier Cream is a therapeutic cream that heals damaged and vulnerable skin. It helps heal scaly skin and treats all the symptoms related to it. The clinically proven cream hydrates damaged skin and acts as a protective barrier that creates a suitable environment for skin healing. Its breathable formula does not contain sanitizers and preservatives, unlike most other standard moisturizers. Reviewers love this product due to its lightweight and non-greasy texture that hydrates the skin.
Pros
- Hydrates skin
- Restores the protective skin barrier
- Non-comedogenic
- Removes the signs of scaly skin
- Best for skin that is resistant/allergic to sanitizers and preservatives
Cons
None
Quick Tip2. Best For Redness:Baza Protect Barrier Cream
Image: Coloplast The Baza Protect Barrier Cream helps heal the damaged skin by providing hydration and protection barrier to the skin. It can be used to repair the cuts and redness on the skin that occur due to long bed rest. This cream may also promote skin repair in patients undergoing chemotherapy. It acts as a layer between the skin and the environment, thus protecting the damaged skin from further infections.
Pros
- Absorbed fast into the skin
- Prevents itching and burning of the skin
- Recommended by doctors for healing major wounds and cuts on the skin
- Cures skin redness
Cons
None
3. Best Fragrance-Free Cream:Cavilon 3M Durable Barrier Cream
Image: 3m The Cavilon 3M Durable Barrier Cream is a fragrance-free therapeutic cream used to treat damaged skin. It gets absorbed in the skin in no time and protects against external skin-damaging agents and body fluids. It promotes skin healing by giving it a proper environment. The cream has proven efficacy and does not get washed off easily. Hence, frequent reapplication is not required. Doctors recommend this cream for the dressing of wounds and cuts.
Pros
- Clinically-proven formula
- No scrubbing required
- Easy to apply
- Hydrates the skin and provides a protective barrier
- Helps to heal cuts and wounds
- Fast-absorbing
- Does not require frequent reapplication
Cons
- Not mineral oil-free
4. Best Dermatologist Tested:L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Cicacream
Image: L'oreal Paris Skincare The L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Cicacream is enriched with Centella asiatica (also known as tiger grass). It is a formulation made with reference from Chinese skin care medicines. It helps improve barrier function, protecting the skin from external and internal environments. The Cicacream is an anti-aging cream that reduces wrinkles, spots, and other signs of aging and is specially designed for facial skin care. It is a day and night cream that is applied after cleaning the face and before applying a moisturizer or SPF. Multiple Amazon reviews suggest this cream has a thick consistency but it absorbs well and shows visible results.
Pros
- Strengthens the skin barrier
- Fights the signs of skin aging
- Dermatologist tested and approved
- Fragrance-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Gentle on dry and sensitive skin types
Cons
None
Quick Tip5. Best For Damaged Cuticles:Medline Soothe And Cool Inzo Barrier Cream
Image: Medline Remedy The Medline Soothe and Cool Inzo Barrier Cream is easy to use and easy to wash. It prevents dryness and itchiness. The cream protects the damaged cuticles and helps to heal them by protecting the skin from the external and internal environments. It prevents urine, fecal matter, and moisture from coming in contact with the skin. Test it out today to experience visible results!
Pros
- Moisturizes the skin
- Has a skin-soothing effect
- Dye-free
- No fragrance
- Contains vitamins A, D, and E that nourish the skin
- Ideal for peri-wound skin to protect it from maceration damage
- Non-greasy
- Invisible moisture barrier
Cons
- Does not list all ingredients.
6. Best Lightweight Formula:Etude House Barrier Intensive Cream
Image: Etude House The Etude House Barrier Intensive Cream provides gentle skin care to rough, damaged, and dry skin. It helps soothe skin irritation. The panthenol in the cream calms the skin down, and the madecasone the cream contains heals skin wounds.
Pros
- Dermatologically-tested
- Lightweight cream
- Non-sticky
- Fast-absorbing
- Provides a protective barrier to the skin
- Provides a suitable environment to damaged skin
- Unscented
Cons
None
7. Best For Eczema Prone Skin:Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Flare-Up Relief Cream
Image: Cetaphil Protect your skin and nourish it with the dermatologist-tested Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Flare-Up Relief Cream. It is a rich cream clinically proven to help repair the skin’s barrier in 24 hours, ensuring it relieves the flare-up and irritation caused by eczema. This restorative and repairing cream contains 2% skin-protectant colloidal oatmeal along with naturally derived ad-resyl, specially designed to restore the skin’s healthy microbiome. It defends your skin against dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and weakened skin barrier. This anti-irritation product is best suited for sensitive skin because it is free of all toxins and harmful ingredients that cause acne flare.
Pros
- Provides intense hydration
- Clinically tested for sensitive skin
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Dermatologist tested
- Steroid-free
Cons
- Does not work on rashes
8. Best UV Protection:CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Image: Cerave The CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion is a sunscreen moisturizer with an SPF of 30. Apply it 10-15 minutes before exposure to sunlight and roam freely in the sun with no fear of tanning or skin damage. You need to reapply it every 2 hours for visible results. It gives daily UV protection to the skin by acting as a protective barrier. It is formulated by using the MultiVesicular Technology that ensures the moisturizing contents are absorbed slowly in the skin, resulting in long-lasting hydration.
Pros
- Clinically-tested to maintain skin barrier function
- Provides skin protection against UV radiation
- Contains microfine zinc oxide that renders broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection
- Non-comedogenic
- Includes three essential ceramides for nourishing the skin
- Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as adequate protection against UV light
Cons
- Needs continuous reapplication every 2 hours.
9. Best For Skin Dryness:Theraplex Healing Emollient
Image: Theraplex Theraplex’s Healing Emollient penetrates deep into the fissures and cracks of the skin. It gives your skin a durable micro-protection barrier. This barrier helps provide moisture where it is needed the most and does not leave a greasy feel. The lotion functions as a whole-day moisturizer. It is also used for skin care in chronic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, etc. Dermatologists have been using and recommending this product to their patients for over 20 years. Amazon reviews suggest that this product is the best for those with extremely sensitive skin.
Pros
- Dermatologist-recommended
- Suitable for dry skin
- Irritation-free for eczema or other skin conditions
- Long-lasting moisturization
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Preservative-free
Cons
None
The Bottom Line
From oily and acne-prone to dull and stressed skin, there are thousands of skin concerns to address when perfecting the right skincare routine. You do not always have to worry about the many chemicals in your cosmetic kit; the right barrier cream you choose can take care of everything. The Epionce Medical Barrier Cream hydrates and heals scaly and dry skin, while the Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Flare-Up Relief Cream is perfect for calming inflamed skin, and the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Cicacream addresses aging concerns while nourishing the skin. These creams are made of specific topical solutions that prevent redness, inflammation, and more. Always opt for non-comedogenic, skin-friendly formulas that are quickly absorbed into the skin.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Sakshi Bahal is a skin care enthusiast who finds joy in trying out various new products. She has a great deal of knowledge of what ingredients work best for your skin. She has done a fair amount of research and carefully reviewed many customer testimonials to choose the best barrier creams for her readers. These not only act as a protective barrier between any allergens or contaminants and your skin but are also made of specific topical solutions that prevent issues like inflammation, redness, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you put on a barrier cream?
You can apply a barrier cream directly or after applying a moisturizer to help soak in the goodness of the formulas.
Is Vaseline a barrier cream?
No, Vaseline is not a barrier cream although it works to create a mild barrier and prevents moisture loss.
Where do you apply barrier cream?
You can apply barrier creams directly on the skin of your face, hands, and elbows. If you use antioxidant-rich, anti-aging, and other treatment serums in your skincare routine, you can apply barrier creams after them.
What happens if you use too much barrier cream?
Too much barrier cream makes the skin susceptible to irritation caused by the hydrophilic sodium lauryl sulfate.
How long can you use a barrier cream?
You can use a barrier cream as long as your skin needs it. But they usually start showing results within three-four months.
Can you use a barrier cream every day?
Yes, if your barrier cream has a gentle formula, you can use it every day.
Does barrier cream stop itching?
Yes, a barrier cream maintains the skin’s physical barrier and protects it from irritation caused by chemicals and environmental factors. Hence, they also stop or help reduce itching.
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