Do I Really Need Barrier Cream if I Have a Moisturizer? Let Us Explain, and Give Our Top 9 Recs
These have gotten Cosmo editors through below-zero temperatures.
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When the temps drop below freezing and my face stings every time I put on a product on it, I know my skin barrier is acting up again. But! Being a beauty editor perfectly primed me for a skin crisis like this. For once, having all of the creams in the world can solve my problems. So long as they're barrier creams, that is. These creams are typically comprised of a mix of sealing ingredients that help lock in hydration and reduce water loss in your skin. Think of it like a cocoon over your face to block out all the bad stuff and keep what's good inside. Like an amped up moisturizer for when your skin barrier is freaking out.
More than just the weather can eff up your barrier, though. Sun exposure, over-exfoliating, getting older, and implementing retinoids into your skincare routine can weaken the top layer of your skin (what we call your skin barrier) that acts as a protective shield for your face. As dermatologist Dana Stern, MD, previously told Cosmo, “Ceramide levels decrease significantly as we age, and so our skin’s ability to hold onto moisture eventually becomes compromised.” Translation: Your barrier needs backup assistance eventually, which is where barrier creams come in. We've tested dozens over the years and rounded up our top favorites to shop.
The best barrier creams, tested by <em>Cosmo</em> editors:
That's just a sneak preview, though. If your skin is currently dry, flaky, or extra sensitive, keep reading for the barrier creams Cosmo editors and dermatologists Jenny Liu, MD, and Nava Greenfield, MD, recommend below. Our editors are constantly testing products, especially for our Cosmo beauty awards, so we're pretty well-versed in what's out there and how to choose the right product for you. Read all of our reviews, plus insights from experts on how to use a barrier cream and what ingredients to look for.
Pros
- Creamy consistency is rich, but not so thick that it feels ultra sticky on skin
- Really works to help heal skin with vitamin B5 and centella asiatica
- Easy to pick up at virtually every drugstore
Cons
- Can potentially cause breakouts
Why we love it: When a Cosmo staffer who doesn't work in the beauty department comes knocking on our metaphorical office doors in search of a skin remedy, we almost always point them to Cicaplast Balm first. This La Roche-Posay cream (with a rich, balmy texture akin to a milky ointment) is packed with vitamin B5, centella asiatica, and shea butter—all of which help heal your barrier in as little as a few days. It's rich, so it might not be the best product to coat your face in every single day, especially if you're acne-prone, but it works really well when your face is in need of some reprieve.
One Cosmo editor says: "I give tubes of this out like candy to my friends who come to me with a skin issue. Great example: A previous roommate of mine got scratched by a cat and was in dire need of a product to soothe her skin before a first date. I gave her this, and she came running to me two days later that the mark healed practically overnight. And I genuinely have countless stories like this of my own. I'm weary of breakouts when I use this, but it's the price I'm willing to pay when my barrier is on the fritz and none of my products seem to be working anyway."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Panthenol, centella asiatica, shea butter |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- We love that it hydrates but still absorbs into skin
- One of the most inexpensive barrier creams on this list
Cons
- Not as occlusive as others, so you might want to pair with something heavier if you skin is very dry or dehydrated
Why we love it: Although barrier creams are rich and seem like a fantastic moisturizer, they're not always that hydrating on their own, requiring the use of an additional moisturizer if you want both benefits. This formula from affordable skincare line Versed makes that super easy by offering both. It coats your face in nourishing ceramides, squalane, and glycerin to actually act as your morning or nighttime moisturizer—all the while, the rich cream effectively blocks out environmental damage.
One Cosmo editor says: "This barrier cream is supremely nourishing, but has a shockingly lightweight feel on my skin. As someone who has skin that is sensitive, combo, and acne-prone (fun!), I can safely use this on my face to soothe redness and irritation without triggering breakouts. The pump style packaging is really nice too."—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, squalane, glycerin, niacinamide |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Doesn't contain any heavy pore-clogging ingredients, making it great for acne-prone skin
- Makes skin look glowy, not greasy
- Does a great job at moisturizing without adding too much weight to skin
Cons
- A few reviewers said it burned a bit on their face (always try a patch test first)
Why we love it: Barrier creams and acne usually don't mix, as most barrier products require heavy occlusives to work. It's just the name of the game. But Dieux's newest moisturizer turns that whole idea on its head with this lovely, rich cream that's not too dense. It helps soothe inflamed skin with colloidal oatmeal, bisabolol, and allantoin, but also helps hold in all of your skin's natural moisture with a wrap of lightweight meadowfoam seed oil.
One Cosmo editor says: "This is the perfect winter moisturizer for sensitive and/or acne-prone skin. It is rich and hydrating but doesn’t clog my pores. It’s full of soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal that help calm redness and flaking from cold weather or overdoing it with actives like retinol or glycolic acid. I normally reserve thicker creams for nighttime, but this is great for the day because it creates a protective shield over my face without feeling greasy. It’s also really nice under makeup too." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, bisabolol, glycerin |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- A true balm that is extremely occlusive
- Hydrates skin as it locks in moisture
Cons
- Likely too heavy for acne-prone or oily skin
Why we love it: As the name suggests, this whipped cream resembles a fluffy soft serve. In fact, it's probably the richest, balmiest product I've ever used that isn't a true ointment. And that is why it's so good for protecting your skin. Absolutely no moisture will be able to escape this blend of shea butter and candelilla wax. Even better: It also hydrates a bit, with squalane, ceramides, and niacinamide.
One Cosmo editor says: "I used this during a week of snowy weather and temps hovering around 15 degrees, and my skin was thriving. It's really moisturizing—like a warm hug for your face. And because it's great and softening rough patches, it makes for a great base under makeup too."—LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, candelilla wax, squalane, ceramides, niacinamide |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- 2025 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
- Helps reduce itchy, flaky skin
Cons
- We wished it absorbed into skin a bit better
Why we love it: Colloidal oatmeal is the MVP over-the-counter treatment for eczema, as it's super gentle and calming for skin. This balm uses it to help reduce itch, soothe irritation, and lightly moisturize skin.
One Cosmo editor says: “I have very dry, very sensitive, and very acne-prone skin, so I need any treatment I use to give me as much moisture and nourishment as possible without causing breakouts. Avene XeraCalm checks both boxes. I use it as the last step in my nighttime routine to keep eczema flare-ups in check and soothe any redness—all without clogging my pores.” —OLIVIA TRUFFAUT-WONG, FORMER EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Colloidal oatmeal |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Improves skin barrier while moisturizing and gently exfoliating for extra-smooth skin
- Technically an overnight mask, so it works well when layered with other products
Cons
- The most expensive product on this list
Why we love it: Barrier creams, as great as they are, aren't known for being the most luxurious skincare products. But this night cream right here will change all your preconceptions about them. Instead of a greasy, thick, jelly consistency, this formula has a rich, buttery feel and is packed with soothing urea, lightly exfoliating AHA/BHAs, moisturizing shea butter and jojoba oil, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and more.
One Cosmo editor says: "If I could bathe my entire body in this barrier treatment, I would. But that would cost a zillion dollars, so I won't. Anyway! It's so luxurious and genuinely makes my skin look like smooth, shiny glass by morning. I love basting my entire face in it before bed. The next day, I always look like I've gotten a facial (even if I didn't even leave my house for days)."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Urea, shea butter, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Affordable
- Tube makes it easy to squeeze as much product as you want out
Cons
- Extremely heavy and sticky (but... that's kind of the name of the game here)
Dr. Liu loves plain ol' petrolatum as a barrier cream, but if you don't like the heavy feel, try this other favorite of hers instead. A little lighter in feel, but still effective for slugging, this ointment mixes petrolatum with ceramides and hyaluronic acid for a balm-like texture instead of a goopy jelly.
One Cosmo editor says: "You'll find a tube of this in my vanity at all times. The added ceramides make me feel like I'm doing a little more for my skin when I'm slugging. "—BG
| Key ingredients: | Ceramides |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Very lightweight for a barrier cream
Cons
- Not as occlusive as other barrier creams (more moisturizing than sealing)
Why we love it: Cosmo editors love Korean skincare products, but the one that constantly lands itself on our best-of lists is this barrier cream from Aestura. I consider Aestura like the K-beauty version of CeraVe or Cetaphil—the products are gentle and simple, henceforth loved by basically every skin type. This rich moisturizer is packed with ceramides, squalane, and fatty acids to help pull in hydration and keep it in your skin. Plus, it's not too thick, so it works well on a mix of dry and oily skin types.
One Cosmo editor says: "I love the concept of slugging so much, but basically every slugging product on the market is a nightmare for my acne-prone skin. Instead of a ointment-y formula, I started using this ultra-rich cream from Aestura. It's fantastic for sensitive skin (doesn't break me out or irritate me at all), but it also moisturizes the eff outta my skin. I even will put it on my elbows, knees, and any dry patches on my body too since it's that hydrating."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, ceramides, fatty acids |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Airless pump keeps it fresh
- Sinks in quickly, but still plumps up skin with hydration
Cons
- Doesn't mattify skin in any way, so it might not be the best for the daytime on oily skin
Why we love it: This gel-cream moisturizer is a top pick from Dr. Greenfield and the hundreds of happy customers who've given it a 4.8 rating on Sephora. It's surprisingly lightweight but still does the trick to fix your skin (guess that's how it got the name) with ingredients like saccharide isomerate, niacinamide, zinc PCA, and allantoin.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've gone through multiple jars of this gel cream. It's fantastic for my oily, acne-prone skin that occasionally gets dry in the winter. It sinks in but still provides a lot of moisture—something I didn't realize would be possible until I began testing this years ago."—BG
What is a barrier cream used for?
Dr. Liu explains that barrier cream doesn't have a clear definition, but they are essentially moisturizers that reduce water loss and are also packed with additional ingredients that are anti-inflammatory and support skin healing. Think of them as a richer, thicker version of your average moisturizer that can even be petrolatum-based.
According to Dr. Greenfield, the goal of a barrier cream is to strengthen and restore the skin barrier, which is “a complex interaction between skin cells in the epidermis and the intercellular matrix composed of ceramides and lipids that form the brick-and-mortar model of skin anatomy and health.”
When should you apply barrier cream?
You should apply barrier cream pretty much any time your skin barrier feels compromised, but Dr. Liu stresses the importance of a barrier cream for those who have sensitive skin or skin irritation of any kind. Why? Because when your skin barrier is disrupted or not functioning optimally, the skin loses its ability to properly fight infections or certain rashes, or prevent water and nutrient loss, Dr. Greenfield explains. What this means is that your skin will be more prone to eczema, dryness, and itchiness. So yeah. When in doubt, apply your cream.
How to choose the best barrier cream
Look for these ingredients.
Dr. Liu explains that the best ingredients in a barrier cream are the ones that reduce water loss, support skin healing, and soothe, like petrolatum, shea butter, fatty acids, lipids, niacinamide, centella, and peptides. “Ingredients such as ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol in specific formulations and sufficient concentrations may penetrate the stratum corneum cells and add to the natural oils that the skin cells produce to strengthen the barrier,” Dr. Greenfield adds.
Pick your favorite consistency.
Balms, creams, lotions, jellies—choose the formula that you like the most to apply, because the most important thing here is that you actually want to use it. Thick, greasy ointments aren't for everyone, so don't let that be the reason you don't use a barrier cream. You've got options.
Meet the experts:
- Jenny Liu, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
- Nava Greenfield, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, NY.
- Dana Stern, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY. Dr. Stern has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of skin barriers.
Why trust 'Cosmopolitan'?
Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan with more than 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories of all types.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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