Frequently Asked Questions
How does the skin barrier become damaged?
“Our skin barrier gets damaged from extreme weather, sun exposure, medical conditions, physical damage such as over-exfoliating, and also age,” explains Dr. Saedi. She adds that, over time, ingredients like alcohol and glycolic acid can be abrasive to the skin if overused, which can lead to dermatitis or inflammation of the skin.
Dr. Clark-Loeser’s number-one tip: Go easy on the exfoliation. Try simplifying your skin-care routine and minimizing the amount of exfoliants and active ingredients in it in order to maintain a healthy skin barrier. Additionally, the skin barrier can become damaged by frequent hot showers, not using a moisturizer, and certain medications, so take note.
Which skin barrier repair ingredients should I look out for?
A key way to maintain a healthy skin barrier is to add a barrier repair product, which is strategically formulated to address the specific needs of the skin barrier, to your routine. Where traditional moisturizing products provide supplemental hydration to the skin, “barrier repair products help to actually repair the skin’s barrier to help it better retain moisture and prevent environmental damage,” explains Dr. Clark-Loeser. If you’re unsure what ingredients to seek out in a barrier repair cream, San Diego-based board-certified dermatologist Melanie Palm, MD, told us to look for “ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane, natural moisturizing factors and ceramides” for their conditioning properties and soothing benefits.
How often should I use barrier repair products?
Our experts recommended applying the product at least once a day, ideally after cleansing, to help reinforce the skin’s natural protective barrier and keep it hydrated. For those with particularly dry or damaged skin, using the product twice daily can more effectively restore and maintain the skin’s health. Just remember, it’s important to use the product as directed and not overuse it, as this can lead to further irritation.
Meet the experts
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Papri Sarkar, MD, a Newton, Massachusetts-based board-certified dermatologist
- Pooja Sodha, MD, a Washington, D.C.-based board-certified dermatologist
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, a Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist
- Brendan Camp, MD, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Lesley Clark-Loeser, MD, a Davie, Florida-based board-certified dermatologist
- Melanie Palm, MD, a San Diego, California-based board-certified dermatologist
- Amy Taub, MD, a Lincolnshire, Illinois-based dermatologist
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best barrier repair creams, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.