If you know me, you’ll know how much I talk about skin barrier products. Whether you have a damaged skin barrier and need to repair it, or you are just looking for an everyday barrier repair product, these are some of the best I’ve found.
In this post I’ll share my favourite skin barrier repair products, but before we start here are some notes from me:
- This list isn’t in any particular order.
- As I discover more skin barrier repair products I’ll add them onto the end of the list, it’ll be a regularly updated post.
- Even if you haven’t damaged your skin barrier, I’d recommend using one of these every day! More on why later.
- Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a % if you buy something on the link. If you prefer not to use the link, that is totally okay.
What is skin barrier damage?
Before we discuss skin barrier repair products, let’s get into what the skin barrier is in the first place – it’s actually quite simple. Your skin has a protective lipid layer on the outside of it that does a few important jobs:
- The skin barrier keeps out bacteria and environmental factors (think toxins, pollutants etc)
- It keeps water and moisture locked inside the skin
What do skin barrier products do?
If your skin barrier gets damaged, it’s almost impossible to regain control of your skin without repairing it. Skin barrier repair products not only repair the barrier if its weakened, but will also keep it looking healthy, making it more difficult to damage. If you’re using a lot of acids, active and retinoids, you’re definitely at risk of damaging your skin barrier.
Here are some signs your skin barrier is damaged:
- Your skin feels dry and tight yet oily at the same time, when it normally doesn’t feel like this.
- You’re seeing more acne than normal, especially in areas you don’t normally break out.
- You have been using more actives than usual, especially in an effort to control the more breakouts you’re seeing (and it doesn’t feel like it’s working!).
- Your face appears redder than normal.
- Your skin stings when you apply products you usually use that don’t normally sting.
How to repair your skin barrier if it’s damaged
In the next section I’ll share my favourite skin barrier repair products. First however, it’s important to share tips on how to repair your skin barrier when it’s damaged.
Here are some tips on how to repair your barrier:
- Stop using actives for at least 1-2 weeks. You cannot heal your skin barrier and still use exfoliants, acids and retinoids etc at the same time.
- Cut your routine down to a few simple products without actives. Cleanse, moisturise, barrier serum and SPF is all I use when my skin is feeling sensitised.
- Make sure you’re only cleansing with warm water, not hot! Hot water can damage your skin barrier too.
The best skin barrier products for acne prone skin
These skin barrier products come in all different formats depending on what you prefer, including toners, serums, creams and gels.
1. The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
The Ordinary is the first skincare brand I got really into when I was younger (I am now 28 as of 2023, so this is over 10 years ago!). However in the past few years I’ve sort of fallen out of love with them, aside from their squalane cleanser that I regularly recommend for double cleansing.
When they released this skin barrier product I was very pleasantly surprised. The only downside for me is the price here. Maybe I’m old but… £17 is a lot for the Ordinary! Other than that, I think the product is great for repairing a damaged barrier.
Like most barrier repair products, it contains centella, madecassic and asiatic acid. What makes this one different is the addition of vitamin B12, which gives the serum its pink colour.
2. Dr Sam’s Flawless Moisturiser Intense
I would liken Dr Sam’s Flawless Moisturiser Intense to an acne friendly version of the La Roche Posay cicaplast baume – which, by the way, I don’t recommend for acne prone skins unfortunately.
The texture is heavier than a gel cream, but doesn’t quite feel like a rich cream. After a few minutes, it feels almost invisible.
You can include this cream as the second-to-last step before SPF in the morning, or your final step at night.
3. COSRX Hydrium Centella Aqua Soothing Ampoule
COSRX is a trusty K beauty brand that make a lot of great products. I love their hydrium range and this centella ampoule is an ideal every day barrier repair product.
Here’s how to layer a skin barrier repair serum:
- Apply first thing in the morning, either after cleansing (or not, if you prefer not to)
- You can apply it to damp skin for a boosted effect, but it will still benefit your skin if it’s not damp
- While it’s still damp, apply your moisturiser
- If apply SPF afterwards, make sure to allow the skin to dry down before applying it
4. Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum with Propolis and Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a very accessible and easy to use barrier serum with so many benefits. Aside from strengthening your skin barrier, you can easily mix and match it with other actives without worrying.
This glow serum by Beauty of Joseon combines niacinamide with propolis which, much like honey, is both antibacterial and anti inflammatory. Together they make a powerful combo for glowing, glass skin and a healthy barrier.
5. Aveeno Face CALM+RESTORE Triple Oat Serum
This Aveeno range just keeps on giving. It’s very affordable and accessible across most of the world, and I love that the whole range is just about ‘calm and restore’. If you’re looking for a water based cleanser, the one from this Aveeno range is a great choice.
Most of the soothing properties in this serum come from oats, as the name suggests. In retrospect, this serum is more of a soothing serum than full on barrier repair serum. If you’re not keen on niacinamide, this one doesn’t contain it so it may be a great option for you.
6. BACIEL Hydra Barrier Cica Essence Toner
Another with niacinamide and centella, this essence toner by Baciel has all the classic ingredients and makeup of a great barrier repair product. Like with most toners, you’ll want to pat it onto your face with clean hands after cleansing, while the skin is still damp.
7. Purito Centella Unscented Serum
This is one of my personal faves. Many people who follow my social have tried it and loved it, and others have reacted to the niacinamide, which is a real shame. Either way, I love her! Some people have reported a ‘fishy smell’ which is very odd.. personally I’ve never had that with mine, but I also have a bad sense of smell so I may never find out. I usually buy mine from the Purito store on Amazon.
Hi. Love your content both here and on Tiktok!
I was just wondering how to layer skin barrier repair serum with hyaluronic acid and vitamin c in the morning and/or with retinol in the evening?
Thank you 🙂 Good question! It’s quite easy. You can apply it before or after in the AM, and after retinol in the evening. Key thing to remember is that, assuming its a serum and not a thicker cream, you can pretty much apply it whenever because it doesn’t matter *too* much xx
Hi, love the blog, but why is the purito centella unscented serum not on the list?
🙂
Hey, good Q! So I used my linktree to create the post and, because the purito is in a different section of my linktree (my ‘my routine’ section), I forgot to add it. I will add it now, thank you for spotting. My plan is to add all the pages and then go back and extend the lists xx
hi i was wondering if you use any vitamin c ? or ahas/bhas. i have textured skin with quite a few dark spots and my skin is dull. or do you believe tretionin or retinol would fix that?
Hey. Currently I don’t use vitamin C but that doesn’t mean others all shouldn’t. I also don’t use AHA/BHA regularly. Retinol should improve all of the concerns you mentioned, yes x
The day after I use retinol (cerave) some of my products sting a little, do I need to quit using it until nothing stings? Just got the ordinary barrier serum
Maybe just slow down a little instead of stopping entirely. Give yourself a few days off of the retinol, then resume and use it every other day, for example. Also make sure you’re using a barrier serum to protect your barrier! x
Hi, I love these recommendations! I never thought of using a skin barrier serum until I saw your TikTok video! My skin barrier isn’t damaged, but I’ve been breaking out a little more than usual. I want to try either the COSRX Centella, Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum, or the Aveeno serum. I was just wondering if I can use any of these with vitamin C in the morning and how to layer them. Thank you!