Best Barrier Repair Creams 2023

If you’re a big fan of SkinTok and find yourself easily influenced by recommendations from content creators with incredible skin transformations, you may be on the lookout for one product that has taken the skincare world by storm: barrier repair cream. 

Barrier cream has exploded in popularity, with searches for the product rising by 177% in the last few years, peaking in 2023. 

But what is barrier repair cream and what are the best barrier repair creams for your face?

What is barrier cream?

Barrier cream - also known as barrier repair cream - is a topical cream product which helps to maintain the skin’s physical barrier, essentially protecting it from external irritants. 

It’s also great for locking all your products in, which is why barrier cream is applied to the face after serums such as hyaluronic acid, as it works to keep what’s good in and to keep what’s bad out, retaining moisture while fighting off irritation and redness. 

How to use barrier cream

As mentioned above, barrier cream should be used after applying your usual serums post-cleanse, but it’s important to note that it shouldn’t be considered a replacement for moisturiser! 

Instead, it’s typically advised to use your barrier cream after applying serums and moisturiser, making it the last step in your skincare routine. This is because any products applied after the barrier cream likely won’t penetrate the skin very well, however it can also be used as a buffer for those using Retinol and suffering with sensitivity or irritation as a result. 

What are the best barrier repair creams?

If you’re searching for the best barrier creams, we’ve got you covered. 

Here are our top five barrier repair creams as inspired by SkinTok - and best of all, you can get discount on every single one of them as a TOTUM member. Don’t walk, run… 

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm

The ultimate SkinTok barrier cream recommendation, the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm has become a staple for thousands of skincare enthusiasts across the globe. 

This one is perfect for those on a budget, retailing at just £10 for 40ml or £18 for 100ml.

But what makes it a bestselling barrier repair cream?

Well, this multi-purpose balm soothes, repairs and protects the skin, helping with a range of common skin irritations including chapped and cracked skin, dry and rough patches, rashes, minor injuries, and even new tattoos. 

With support from dermatologists and skincare experts, this is a great all-rounder. 

@bambidoesbeauty says on the barrier cream: “There’s a reason this is going viral on TikTok, I just wish I’d tried it sooner.” 

Enjoy 10% off the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm with your Boots student discount! 

Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

Another favourite barrier cream is the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, which helps to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier with its unique blend of ceramides. 

For those not in the know, ceramides are essentially what help to hold our skin cells together to keep the skin barrier intact; they make up over 50% of the skin’s composition so it’s fair to say they play a pretty important role in skin health. 

Retailing at £32 for 50ml, it may not be the cheapest barrier cream out there but it’s certainly one of the best. 

If you purchase the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream via ASOS, you’ll get 10% off - or 20% as a new customer! That means you’ll save a minimum of £3.20 with your TOTUM discount.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream

Kiehl’s is the definition of tried and tested skincare, firmly establishing itself as one of the leading skincare brands worldwide. 

So it’s no surprise that the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream is often recommended as one of the best barrier creams on the market. 

This barrier repair cream is extremely nourishing with soothing properties and has been specially formulated with dry and sensitive skin types in mind. 

With Advanced Barrier Technology which mimics the skin’s lipid structure, you can guarantee visible results to your skin’s tone and texture with this barrier repair cream. 

Like the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, the Kiehl’s barrier cream retails at £32 for 50ml - but you can bag yourself a generous 20% off when you purchase it on LOOKFANTASTIC. 

This will save you £6.40 in total! 

Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Restoring Barrier Gel Cream

The Skinfix Barrier+ gel cream is another firm favourite on SkinTok, with many raving about the fact it is a clinically-backed product containing barrier-nourishing saccharide isomerate, niacinamide, zinc PCA, and antimicrobial peptides to leave skin hydrated and protected all day long. 

This lightweight moisturiser is unique for a barrier cream due to its gel consistency, making it the ideal option for those with slightly oilier skin. 

It may be less heavy than your average barrier cream, but it’s no less effective. 

The Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Restoring Barrier Gel Cream retails at £48, however you can save an incredible 15% when you purchase it via Sephora with your TOTUM discount, meaning you’ll save £7.20!

Murad Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream

This barrier repair cream may be a slightly pricier option, but if you're looking to splash out on some luxury skincare, it should be this product.

Murad's Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream is quite literally a miracle worker, not only working to hydrate and maintain the skin's barrier but also brightening the complexion overnight.

Want to wake up with refreshed, nourished skin? This is your go-to.

From environmental aggressors and ageing free radicals to airborne toxins, the Murad Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream protects your skin against them all.

This barrier cream retails at £83 for 50ml, however you can make big savings with your TOTUM discount by making the most of 20% discount at Cult Beauty!

This will save you a whopping £16.60, taking the total cost to £66.40.

Save on your favourite SkinTok products with TOTUM

Remember, you can save on all of your skincare favourites with your TOTUM discount, whether that's a new nourishing face oil or an acne-fighting face mask.

Get the best discounts, deals and offers from huge brands such as Cult Beauty, Boots, Sephora, LOOKFANTASTIC, Liz Earle, The Body Shop, Glow Hub, The Inkey List and so many more!