“Similar in formulation, they’re carefully associated however not essentially equivalent,” says board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., founding father of SKINFIVE. So whereas they do usually include moisturizing properties, you would not wish to use a barrier cream the identical means as a moisturizer (extra on that later). Sure, some manufacturers will identify their fatty-acid-rich moisturizers “barrier lotions,” however simply know that the 2 aren’t so interchangeable.
“Barrier lotions are normally thicker than common moisturizers and normally kind a skinny layer on high of the pores and skin as a substitute of melting and disappearing into the pores and skin when utilized,” says Rodney. “If you need to hydrate dry and itchy pores and skin, you wish to use a moisturizer. If you’re in search of an added layer of pores and skin safety in opposition to wind or harsh climate over already moisturized pores and skin, you need to use a barrier cream.”
Think of it this fashion: Barrier lotions do not precisely hydrate your pores and skin, however they do maintain hydration locked inside. Shamban agrees: “They do greater than introduce moisture; they have protectants and actives to work on lowering irritation, combating redness, decreasing itch, repairing and strengthening intracellular constructing blocks of the stratum corneum layers,” she says.