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.
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Barrier Repair Plus Everything Else
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.
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Barrier Repair for Fighting the Elements
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.
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Barrier Repair for Angry, Irritated Skin
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.
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Barrier Repair From the Inside Out
Skinmedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, $178, is a gel-like hydrator that can be layered underneath your favorite moisturizer for extra hydration and barrier repair. It's packed with five different kinds of hyaluronic acid, and it helps your skin replenish its own hyaluronic acid reserves, making it healthier and naturally more balanced.
