The Best Budget Skin Barrier-Repairing Products According to a Dermal Therapist
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
I’m sure we’re all doing our best to ensure our skin barrier (outermost layer of skin, also called the stratum corneum) stays healthy and protected.
After all, it is our outermost layer of defence and provides protection to the deeper layers of our skin - an important job!
However, there are several ways that we can unknowingly (or knowingly) damage our skin barrier and therefore prompt us to change our skincare routine to give our damaged skin barrier a little help.
Want to know how to repair your skin barrier as well the best skin barrier repair products, well actually, the best skin barrier repair products on a budget?
Keep reading...
Damaged Skin Barrier Symptoms.
How to know if you have a broken skin barrier?
First off let's quickly cover what to keep on eye on if you sense you may have a compromised barrier.
Signs of a damaged or compromised skin barrier might include the following:
- Severe dryness/dehydrated skin.
- Redness/inflammation.
- Rosacea.
- Increased breakouts.
- Rashes or eczema flare ups.
- Irritation, itchy skin, flakiness.
- Overall dullness.
How to Repair Skin Barrier.
While we all know that overdoing it with our active skincare can damage our skin barrier, there are also external influences including our environment as well as genetics and even our age (predominantly as we get older) that can weaken our skin barrier and contribute to a loss of moisture in the skin as well.
So it’s nice to have a few barrier-loving products in our skincare first aid kit…you know, just in case.
However, life is also quite exxy at the moment so why spend the big bucks on barrier repairing products when we might not even be using them for that long in our routine?
As a Dermal Therapist, I get it.
I also see many damaged skin barriers come through clinic, and I think it’s important that no matter the skin concern, we work on healing the skin barrier first - then focus on everything else.
So yes, if your barrier needs repairing, this means your active ingredients do need to take a back seat - including your vit C’s, A’s and exfoliants.
It’s important we keep things gentle and below are some of my favourite budget-friendly skin barrier healing products to help you do just that.
Best Affordable Products to Help Repair Skin Barrier.
For those wanting a great affordable skin barrier repair cream, we've got you, it's on the list!
Let's jump into these six products for skin barrier repair.
1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+.
Most skincare toolkits should contain Cicaplast Baume B5.
If you haven’t tried it, perhaps you’ve never experienced irritated or sensitised skin before (lucky you) but if you have, then you’ll know why it has gained cult status.
Not only is this product like a giant hug designed to soothe impaired barriers and itchy, irritated skin but you can also use it on any areas of irritation on your body and it’s gentle enough for the whole family too!
2. NIOD Modulating Glucosides.
This is one of the best serums at this price point to soothe the skin and reduce redness/irritation and dryness.
And while, we don’t all need to be adding serums into our skincare routines when our barrier is impaired this is one that can help speed track your results along.
I almost wanted to gatekeep it because it’s that good at calming inflammation and hydrating.
Use both AM and PM.
3. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Serum.
If you already love the OG Cicaplast Baume B5+ but are desperately on the hunt for another product to help soothe the skin, then the Cicaplast Baume B5 serum is a must-have.
It’s a nourishing and hydrating serum that contains 10% vitamin B5 which can help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and help prevent transepidermal water loss.
Another great hydrator (in case you wanted to add into your routine is the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum).
Remember, hydrated skin = healthy skin and this serum can help.
4. Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream.
This is a repairing moisturiser that will not only help heal your skin but contains a whole range of ingredients including copper and zinc sulfate designed to repair and strengthen your skin barrier too.
It’s also got a high concentration of Avene’s thermal spring water to soothe irritation and the formula isn’t too white or cakey so works really well under makeup and during the day as well.
It also happens to be a Hailey Bieber favourite!
5. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
If you damage your skin barrier you need to ditch all actives from your routine - including your cleanser and it’s best to opt for a gentle hydrating option for both AM and PM instead.
The Cerave hydrating cleanser is great for a sensitised, or sensitive skin plus it contains a combination of ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin which can help to keep your skin hydrated.
Plus, it will suit every skin type.
6. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.
Now this product is not a must, but it’s a TikTok hyped product for a reason.
Apply it post-cleansing and before your moisturiser to help add an additional layer of hydration to the skin and help strengthen your skin barrier.
Snail mucin might seem like a strange ingredient to add to an impaired skin barrier toolkit - but it can help repair your skin while also giving you a natural glow.
So many people swear by it too!
Looking for some more beauty-on-a-budget reviews and recommendations? Check out these BIQ articles:
