Dr Rosi calls the skin barrier a “protective wall”, and says we should care for it all over our bodies – not just on the face – to make sure we’re keeping the likes of pathogens, nasty bacteria and toxins at bay. These are all things that can damage your skin barrier and cause discomfort or contribute to painful skin conditions like dermatitis.
What is a barrier repair cream?
Barrier creams are designed to maintain and repair your skin’s barrier function. “They reduce water loss from the skin and provide a topical barrier,” explains Dr Sonia. “They create the perfect environment for damaged skin to restore itself, and work well for those suffering from dryness, dullness, eczema, acne, psoriasis, redness or sensitivity. Most skin types can benefit from a barrier repair cream.” They really are the unsung heroes of the skincare world, even working to ease the look of flaking, pigmentation and fine lines.
Dr Rosi elaborates: “A barrier repair cream should be ultra-hydrating and gentle to avoid any further skin flare ups and to add as much moisture back into the skin as possible, as this is one of the main factors for fixing any damage. I would always recommend that you use a barrier repair cream daily, even if your skin barrier doesn’t appear in need of one, as this will prevent future issues and skin concerns.”
Dr Aiza says barrier repair creams are useful if you’ve recently undergone procedures like chemical peels or laser treatments to promote healing. “You should also use them during periods of extreme weather,” she adds.
What ingredients should you look for in a barrier repair cream?
“Ingredients should be long-lasting, non-reactive and occlusive. Avoid products with strong fragrances or even natural essential oils,” muses Dr Sonia. Instead, she recommends looking for panthenol – a humectant and emollient that helps your skin to retain moisture. Moisture magnets glycerin and hyaluronic acid are other humectants that she recommends looking for. Hyaluronic acid especially “hydrates without clogging pores, making it great for all skin types.”
Squalane, colloidal oatmeal, niacinamide and ceramides are all other ingredients that Dr Sonia rates, thanks to their collective antioxidant, strengthening, moisturising, soothing and restorative properties.
“My top ingredient recommendation to look for in a barrier repair cream is algae,” adds Dr Rosi. “It’s a multi-tasking ingredient that adds high levels of moisture and hydration to the skin, and it’s also got natural healing benefits to help scars and wounds too.”
Lastly, Dr Dev recommends looking for growth factors. “Growth factors are naturally occurring in the human placenta, but products that use bio-identical ones are incredible as they repair existing damage by triggering the body’s natural repairing process.”
Want to revamp your entire skincare routine? Discover our extensive guides on the best hyaluronic acid serums, best moisturisers for dry skin, best vitamin C serums and the best sunscreens and sun creams. For more beauty and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Contributor Humeara Mohamed, follow her on Instagram @humeara and TikTok @humearaa.