Does your skin feel or look dry, flaky, red, itchy or rough? You may have a compromised skin barrier, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Terrence Keaney. Instead of grabbing your usual body lotion or face moisturizer, try a cream made to support and repair your skin barrier.
“Repairing the skin barrier means giving it what it needs, which is replenishing the essential lipids and increasing water hydration,” says Dr. Stacy Chimento, a board-certified dermatologist. Unlike your typical cream or lotion, barrier creams do more than just hydrate the skin; they also heal the barrier and protect against water loss and an influx of allergens and irritants, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Stephen Suah.
Since I was young, I’ve been combatting eczema and focusing on how to repair and maintain my skin barrier to prevent my condition from worsening. This is why I spoke to dermatologists about your skin barrier and how to shop for a barrier cream. I also rounded up expert-recommended and NBC Select staff-favorite creams to consider.
SKIP AHEAD The best barrier creams | How to shop for barrier creams
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When shopping for the best barrier creams for your skin, our experts recommend keeping in mind the following factors:
- Ingredients: When choosing a quality moisturizer for your skin, you may find a combination of humectants, occlusives and emollients. However, it’s important to locate ingredients that target the skin barrier, whether supporting or repairing. Ceramides, a type of emollient that is also the foundation of your skin barrier, is found in most barrier creams.
- Consistency: Barrier creams vary in thickness, with some being rich and thick while others are lightweight. Depending on your skin type or environment, you may be prone to choosing one consistency over another. For example, those with dry skin or living in colder areas should consider a thicker cream. If you live in a hotter environment or have oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to choose a lighter consistency, according to our experts.
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Below is a compiled list of our experts’ favorite barrier creams, some top-rated creams, as well as NBC Select staff favorites.
Best overall: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
What we like
- Lightweight
- Soothing
- Gentle formula
Something to note
- Not in pump formula
This cream is great for both the face and body since it’s fast-absorbing, non-greasy and has three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, says Chimento. It’s also one of the few moisturizers my sensitive and dry skin can tolerate — it soothes my skin, adds moisture and reduces any rough, cracked eczema flare-ups.
The 2023 NBC Select Wellness Award winner is suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, because it’s noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores. Its formula is also hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, according to the brand. You can find this formula (which has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance) in two sizes, including 12 ounces and 19 ounces.
Best moisturizer:Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
What we like
- Fast absorbing
- Moisturizing
- Cushion-like consistency
Something to note
- Higher price point
This cream is recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Stephen Suah, and it’s also one of my favorites. It has ingredients like ceramides to support the skin, panthenol to reinforce the barrier and prevent water loss and glycerin to add moisture to the skin, according to the brand. This combination of ingredients helps my skin during the winter months or if I have a flaky eczema flare-up on my face because its thick and creamy consistency is so hydrating and soothing on these patches. You can also purchase this moisturizer in a mini travel size.
Best splurge:SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
What we like
- Improves skin texture
- Lightweight
- Combats dull skin
Something to note
- Higher price point
This facial moisturizer helps mimic the natural levels of lipids in your skin, according to Keaney. It has ceramides to support and add moisture to the skin, cholesterol to help speed up the recovery of the skin barrier and fatty acids to improve elasticity, according to the brand. The brand recommends taking a small amount and warming it up between your fingertips for the most effective application. Then, you can apply it in patting motions to your face, neck and chest.
Most gentle:Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream
What we like
- Gentle
- Non-greasy
- Reduces irritation
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Another favorite of mine is this moisturizer from Tower 28 because it’s gentle enough for my dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. It has hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, ceramides to support the barrier and allantoin to reduce any irritation and lock in moisture, according to the brand. Although you can apply this morning and night, I love using it in the morning because the lightweight cream feels hydrating all day and layers nicely under my sunscreen and makeup.
NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez also loves this cream and applies it every morning to add more moisture and protection. “It has literally saved my skin, especially in the winter when I am prone to eczema breakouts,” she says. “I haven’t had one so far this season.”
Editors pick: La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
What we like
- Lightweight
- Fast absorbing
- Suitable for all skin types
Something to note
- Hard to squeeze out at the end
This moisturizer is a favorite of Chimento’s because it has ceramides to support the skin barrier and niacinamide to calm any redness and irritation. It’s also a favorite of NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who uses this moisturizer daily. “I usually think of barrier creams as too thick for daily wear and tend to apply them at night because of that,” she says. “But this one is just as hydrating as some of my night barrier creams, yet its lightweight feel and thinner texture help it dry quickly, so I can wear it under makeup.”
You can apply this cream in the morning and at night to both your face and neck. The fragrance-free and noncomedogenic cream is available in two sizes, including a travel-size. It is also available as a sunscreen.
Best for soothing: Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
What we like
- Thick consistency
- Reduces irritation
- Easy to dispense
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Infused with Avène’s signature Thermal Spring Water, this rich cream helps calm inflammation and reduce redness and irritation, according to the brand. “This is one of my top two favorite face moisturizers,” says NBC Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg, who has rosacea and appreciates how moisturizing and gentle the cream is on her skin. “Last winter my skin got noticeably more dehydrated and very dull. Using this saved my skin complexion.” It also helps restore and hydrate skin within 48 hours, according to the brand. Ginsberg recommends using it at night or on makeup-free days since the balm feels thicker than her other daily moisturizers.
Best multipurpose cream: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Multipurpose Cream
What we like
- Repairs cracked skin
- Safe for babies 1 week and up
- For face and body
Something to note
- Acts as a spot treatment
This multipurpose cream can be used to soothe dry, irritated skin on your face, body and lips, according to the brand. The cream, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 15,000 reviews on Amazon, is infused with vitamin B5 and shea butter to soothe, glycerin to hydrate and centella asiatica (also known as cica) to moisturize, according to the brand. It’s suitable for all skin types and gentle enough to use on babies one week of age and older, according to La Roche-Posay.
Best for dull skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
What we like
- Plumps skin
- Combats dull skin
- Thick consistency
Something to note
- Higher price point
The Skinfix face cream, which has a 4.2-star average rating from over 2,900 ratings at Sephora, combines humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, emollients like squalane and occlusives like shea butter. For the most effective results, apply one to two pumps in the morning and at night on clean and dry skin, according to the brand.
Best for redness: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
What we like
- Fast absorbing
- Improves skin texture
- Relieves itchiness
Something to note
- Not for oily/acne-prone skin
This rich barrier cream not only adds hydration and supports the skin barrier but also helps reduce the appearance of redness with ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, glycerin and niacinamide, according to the brand. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio uses this to manage her moderate rosacea since it calms redness, bumps and dryness overnight.
You can apply this cream, which is a 2023 NBC Select Wellness Award winner, on your face morning and night. You can also use this as a spot treatment for areas that are dry, itchy or rough, according to Kiehl’s.
Best moisturizer with SPF: Roc Barrier Renew AM SPF 30 Moisturizer
What we like
- No white cast
- Lightweight
- Combats dull skin
Something to note
- May be hard to dispense
This Roc day cream combines a moisturizer and an SPF. The fragrance-free formula also has ceramides and prebiotics to help protect sensitive skin, according to Roc. Its formula also hydrates and balances your skin barrier while reducing the appearance of fine lines, dark circles and wrinkles, according to the brand. Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure to help protect your skin from UV rays.
Best body lotion: La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
What we like
- Large size
- For face and body
- Safe for babies 2 weeks and up
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
If you’re looking to repair your body’s skin barrier, consider this moisturizer recommended by Keaney. The cream has ceramides to retain moisture and support the skin barrier, shea butter to hydrate and replenish the lipids in the skin barrier, glycerin for moisture and hydration and niacinamide to help calm the skin, according to the brand. You can use this in the morning and at night by massaging the product onto your skin until it fully absorbs, according to La Roche Posay.
Best night cream: Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair
What we like
- Reduces irritation
- Cushion-like consistency
- Improves skin texture
Something to note
- Higher price point
If you have mildly irritated skin and are experiencing some acne outbreaks, Suah recommends this overnight repair cream because it’s noncomedogenic. The fragrance-free moisturizer has hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and support the barrier, Japanese indigo to reduce irritation and mondo grass to support the skin’s microbiome, according to the brand. For the final step in your nighttime skin care routine, apply a pearl-sized amount of this cream nightly to your face, neck and chest, according to Tatcha.
Best serum: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
What we like
- Targets fine lines
- Improves skin texture
- Soothing
Something to note
- Higher price point
This SkinMedica moisturizer is a lightweight hyaluronic acid serum that should be applied before your daily face cream, according to Keaney. With five different types of hyaluronic acids, this product adds hydration back to the skin, according to the brand. Apply this moisturizer with wet fingertips all over your face, neck and chest, according to SkinMedica.
Best budget pick: Etude House Soonjung Hydro Barrier Cream
What we like
- Gentle
- Soothing
- Softens skin
Something to note
- Not in pump packaging
This fragrance-free cream is recommended by Suah as a great option for those with irritated skin that isn’t overly dry. The moisturizer has panthenol to support the barrier and maintain moisture; at the same time, the madecassoside helps reduce irritation and protects the skin from external aggressors and green tea extract acts as an anti-inflammatory, according to the brand. You can apply the noncomedogenic product in the morning before your sunscreen and at night as the last step in your routine, according to Etude.
Most rich: Avène Cicalfate and Restorative Protective Cream
This cream has zinc and copper sulfate, lipids and thermal water to soothe, hydrate and repair the skin and can go on both the face and body, according to Chimento. The rich, occlusive cream helps repair and hydrate the skin and protect it from external aggressors, according to Avène. Ginsberg says this cream is very rich and moisturizing. “I have rosacea, so I use it after my weekly at-home chemical exfoliant peel to help soothe my skin,” she says. “It’s a very thick consistency, so I warm it up with my fingers first to make it easier for my skin to absorb. It can feel a little greasy, so I use it at night, but it’s worth the results.”
Best balm:Versed Sweet Relief Overnight Face Barrier Balm
What we like
- Reduces redness
- Combats dull skin
- Great for slugging
Something to note
- Only for night use
To help repair her combination skin, especially after using a drying acne treatment, Malin says this thick and creamy balm is the only product that gets rid of her dryness overnight. “I also have sensitive skin, and I find this product particularly soothing when my skin is raw and stinging,” says Malin. A little goes a long way, so you can melt the balm with your fingertips and apply it to your entire face at night, according to Versed.
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When shopping for a barrier cream, our experts recommend considering the ingredients and consistency of your product.
IngredientsAlthough it’s important to find ingredients that directly target the skin barrier, like emollients, other types of ingredients need to be in your barrier cream to help maintain and support its function, including humectants and occlusives.
- Emollients: This type of ingredient tends to help repair the skin barrier and includes fatty acids, ceramides and more. One of the essentials in this category are ceramides, which are lipids that make up a significant portion of the skin’s outer layer, says Keaney. They help to form a protective barrier, lock in moisture and prevent water loss.
- Humectants: Humectants are another common skin ingredient category that prevents water evaporation from the skin, says Keaney. Common humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin and linoleic acid, according to our experts.
- Occlusives: Occlusive creams are insoluble in water and form a protective layer, says Suah. This barrier helps physically lock in moisture and avoid water loss. It also helps prevent irritants and allergens from entering the skin, he says. Some common occlusive ingredients that you should keep an eye out for include petrolatum, zinc oxide, plant oils and dimethicone, according to both Suah and Chimento.
The consistency of your barrier cream may depend on your current skin condition and the season that you are living in, according to Keaney.
- Thick/heavy consistency: Generally, the most common moisturizers combine lipids and water. When you have a thicker moisturizer, it means it has more lipids and less water, according to Keaney. These thick moisturizers can be really effective at locking in moisture and can be more occlusive, says Keaney. The most occlusive options may come in the form of a rich salve or ointment and can be great for those with an underlying condition like atopic dermatitis, according to Suah.
- Lightweight consistency: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, consider a lightweight barrier cream that isn’t as heavy, occlusive or thick since those can worsen the condition and can cause unwanted acne from forming, according to experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone can benefit from using a moisturizer that focuses on supporting the skin barrier, according to our experts. However, some may need to use one more than others. Those with sensitive skin may not produce enough ceramides, one of the key essential lipids that create a healthy skin barrier along with cholesterol and fatty acids, says Chimento. Others with skin conditions like rosacea or eczema may also benefit from using one of these moisturizers because it helps fortify their barrier, creating less risk of infection, according to Chimento.
Yes. It is always best to take preventative measures to keep your skin in check and avoid premature aging, infections and rashes, says Chimento. It is also easier to prevent skin barrier disruption than it is to correct it, according to Keaney. If the barrier gets too disrupted, an over-the-counter moisturizer may not be enough and you may need a prescription, Keaney says.
For maximum protection, it is always best to apply your barrier cream twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, according to Chimento. Suah says it’s best to apply it after washing and when the skin is still slightly damp because it locks in moisture.
“I don’t really think you can truly over-hydrate yourself too much,” says Chimento. However, for those who are more oily or have acne-prone skin, too much hydration or occlusion with thick products can cause acne to worsen, according to Chimento.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Stacy Chimento is a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology.
- Dr. Terrence Keaney is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SkinDC. He is also an Assistant Clinical Faculty of Dermatology at George Washington (GW) University and Howard University and is the Director of the Laser and Lipoatrophy Clinic at the Washington DC VA Hospital.
- Dr. Stephen Suah is a board-certified dermatologist at Foxhall Dermatology in Washington, DC.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter and has been covering beauty, including the best eye creams and sunscreens for dark skin tones. For this piece, she interviewed three dermatologists and researched many barrier creams on the market. Bianca recommended products the dermatologists shared with us, met their shopping guidance and ones we have tried ourselves.
Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Bianca Alvarez
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter at NBC Select.
Kelsey Fredricks
contributed
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