While many reparative creams contain ceramides to protect the skin's barrier, Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore, $125, contains a balance of ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. And it's the cholesterol piece that's key for older skin types. "When you're younger, dry skin is a ceramide deficiency; older dry skin is a cholesterol deficiency," says Ingraham. By balancing the skin's lipids and restoring optimal barrier function with this cream, you get better texture, smaller pores and overall radiance. It even enhances fullness, which is important for older women.

Le Couvent des Minimes The Cream for Sensitive Skin, $18, is a calming, comforting cream that's gentle enough for small children. It contains a ton of soothing botanicals, but it's calendula extract that reinforces the skin barrier. While it may seem basic, it's simple in the best imaginable way.

The scientists at Cle de Peau took all their best technology and packed it into one wildly luxurious cream. Cle de Peau La Creme, $535, brightens, tightens, lifts and plumps — all while protecting skin from further damage. Understanding that a healthy skin barrier is necessary to achieve other skin improvements, they included an ingredient called SP Signal Controller — which is derived from hydrolyzed silk — to improve barrier function. Then, this cream gets to work on everything else.

Even though it has "balm" in the name, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm, $26.50, is surprisingly light. In addition to moisturizing, barrier-strengthening ingredients like glycerin and squalene, this cream contains Edelweiss flower extract, which reduces trans-epidermal water loss (a fancy term for dehydration) and strengthens the skin barrier. To put it to the test, Kiehl's asked skiers and adventure-seekers to use the product in extreme conditions in Alaska. After two weeks, they weren't just protected — they actually had better skin than when they set out.

Almost all of Paula's Choice moisturizers have barrier repair ingredients, but Paula's Choice Skincare Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer, $28, goes beyond basic repair. Thanks to plant oils and antioxidants, it soothes redness and irritation caused by things like eczema and rosacea, it gently hydrates, and it leaves behind a pretty, dewy finish that's so hard for irritated skin to achieve.