Recently, my TikYok #fyp are drench with the latest trend in which skin-care pros, beauty enthusiasts and new triers explain the importance of looking after your skin barrier. 

Eeveryone is shifting their interest from incorporating acidic ingredients like salicylic and hyaluronic to a more uncommon technique which is applying stratum corneum (the term used referring to taking care of your barrier and maintaining its moisture). I’m pretty sure that everyone is aware of what skin barrier is—but how important is it contributing to the appearance of our skin? How can you ‘’repair’’ the depth layer of your skin? And most importantly, how does the pandemic affect the influx of interest in everyone’s interest into skin-barrier strengthening products? 

I know the TikTok-ers are crazy about this trend at the moment but surprisingly, Twitter and Instagram beauty afficiendo are also slowly joining the hype—so these skin barrier creams really are setting the movement, aren’t they? Then mayhaps you should also join Beauty Insider’s curiosity about this new viral trend. Shall we? 

First, What Is Barrier Cream?

Barrier creams are basically a product used to aid not only the surface of your skin, but the inner layer of your skin. Known as the barrier. They were made to maintain health, elastin and robustness inside of your skin and fight any bad elements away from your skin. They work to protect the physical and inner barrier from dehydration, ageing skin and roughness. What’s best, they managed to stop the transepidermal water loss and skin breakdown by serving more moisture through every layer of your skin. How nice? So basically, the moment your skin starts to feel tight due to dryness and lack of moisture, skin barrier cream will definitely carry new sets of water and flow them directly into the inner barrier of your skin. Aiding and repairing them to make your skin feels more awake, fresh and hydrated.

And also, if you suffer from obvious scarring and wounds, expect skin barrier cream to heal those concerns in a matter of time. By being the front liner in shielding your skin, they help prevent any irritation, pollutants and damage—your skin can restore itself fully without any interference from outsiders. 

What’s The Difference Between Barrier Creams & Moisturizer? 

But if we already have moisturizer which basically restores moisture into our skin, we don’t necessarily need barrier creams, right? Um wrong. While moisturizer hydrates only the outer layer of your skin, skin barrier restores the skin barrier itself, locking in the moisture and repairing damage all together. They basically work three times better than basic moisturizers. Though, most barrier creams are usually thicker in texture in comparison to most moisturizers. On another note, moisturizers usually contain water-based ingredients and are packed with H20, cream barriers are made with petrolatum, wax, ceramides, dimethicone, zinc oxide, nicotinamide, hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

How To Know If Our Skin Needs Barrier Creams? 

It’s actually pretty simple to find out if your skin is in need with some saving from barrier creams. First, you’ll notice that your skin looks dry, flaky and patchy on the surface. It looks like it lacks hydration. Later on, you will notice redness, scaly texture, itching and worse, inflammation. Some experts even said you will experience rashness and even stinging at some point when you apply your usual skincare products. Other symptoms also include excessive acne production on each perimeter of your skin. If you start to experience this, we suggest you stop using any harsh ingredients, and start looking for barrier creams. You need to check the ingredients behind your everyday products like your face wash or hydrating serum because few elements might trigger your skin barrier. 

The Best Skin Barrier Creams

1. CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin

This trustworthy CeraVe’s Rough & Bumpy Skin lotion is suitable for all those suffering from rough and bumpy skin types. This silky smooth lotion will help your skin get the hydration it deserves. It contains powerful elements like hyaluronic acid and lactic acid which are known to work wonders for dry skin. 

Why we love it: 

  • Non-comedogenic
  • Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic
  • Gentle, non-irritating formula

Price: From RM219.00

Where to buy: Shopee

2.  Avene Cold Cream

Rich and creamy, this Avene Cold Cream has been specially formulated for the sensitive and very dry skin of babies, children and adults. Thanks to the nourishing properties of white beeswax, this cream restores the skin’s hydrolipidic film to form a genuine barrier against external aggressions. 

Why we love it: 

  • Suitable for infants, children, and adults
  • Soothes irritation
  • Fragrance-free and preservative-free

Price: RM40.00

Where to buy: Guardian

3. FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Cream

This is a cult favourite moisturizer that provides an overall instant relief for your all day skin’s hydration. So say goodbye to dry skin and eczema, this beauty cream from First Aid will clear all those skin imperfections and bring out the best glowing skin appearance you deserve. 

Why we love it: 

  • An AHA-infused formula
  • Non-irritable 
  • Hydrates your skin instantly

Price: RM 155.00

Where to buy: Sephora

4. Vaseline Expert Care Sensitive Skin Rescue

Vaseline Expert Care was created specifically to relieve sensitive and irritated skin. With its advanced formula, oatmeal and Vaseline Jelly, it is a great combination to cure and relief keratosis pilaris. This is a dermatologist proven product, by the way. 

Why we love it: 

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Suitable for Sensitive Skin
  • Fragrance Free

Price: RM 10.00

Where to buy: Guardian

5. Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

Lightweight, non-sticky and non-irritable lotion from Cetaphil Moisturizing lotion provides a long lasting hydration for dry and even the most sensitive skin. It is quickly absorbed into the deepest layer of your skin, so you can go about your day as usual without having to worry about feeling greasy. 

Why we love it: 

  • Contains macadamia nut oil
  • Fragrance and parabens free
  • Non comedogenic

Price: RM62.87

Where to buy: Watsons

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