Your skin's moisture barrier is its first line of defence against the outside world. A healthy barrier shields you from pollution and germs, while locking in essential moisture. It's a delicate balance of lipids, fatty acids, and ceramides. But from chilly weather and the natural ageing process to over-exfoliating, daily life can take its toll on your skin's barrier. That's where Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream steps in. This cream not only protects your skin from daily aggressors but also repairs existing damage, soothing the sensitivity and irritation that comes with a compromised skin barrier. Read on to discover how it works.
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What Makes This Barrier Cream Special?
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream offers immediate comfort to dry, sensitive skin, leaving it feeling soft and soothed. Its powerful formula, featuring oatmeal and beta-glucan, gets to work on irritation and discomfort, delivering impressive results. In just one week, it's clinically proven to reduce redness by 29%. The cream boasts advanced barrier technology that imitates the skin's own lipid structure, protecting it while providing intense hydration up to 10 layers deep. Still not convinced? A remarkable 98% of users agreed their skin felt softer after just four weeks.
Who Should Use the Kiehl's Barrier Cream?
What Skin Type Is It For?
Everyone can enjoy the Ultra Facial Advanced Barrier Cream. But it’s most beneficial for those with dry to very dry skin suffering from sensitivity. It has even been clinically tested on 100% sensitive skin.
You Will Love This If…
This is a true multi-tasker! Use it on chapped lips, wind-chapped cheeks, or even to soothe eczema and help heal post-procedure skin. If you've been using intensive treatments or retinols that have left your skin feeling a little delicate, this barrier cream will be your new best friend.
Hero Ingredients:
At the heart of this cream are two powerhouse ingredients: colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucan. Colloidal oatmeal is renowned for its soothing properties, helping to calm irritation and support the skin's recovery process. This is perfectly complemented by beta-glucan, a molecule that helps to repair and strengthen the skin, transforming dry and sensitised skin into a healthier, happier complexion.
What Does It Feel Like?
This is where the cream really stands out. It has the rich, healing power of a balm, but with the light, comfortable feel of your favourite daily moisturiser. The unique balm-to-cream texture melts into the skin without any stickiness or heaviness, and importantly, it's completely invisible, leaving no white cast. You can use it on your lips, around your eyes, and on your body – it's even light enough to wear under clothes.
How Do You Use The Product?
After cleansing, apply a coin-sized amount onto your skin and gently rub it in. Apply before heading out in cold, windy conditions.
The Packaging
The Advanced Repair Cream is the perfect SOS treatment for irritated and uncomfortable skin on the go. Its travel-friendly design is ideal for treating blisters or windburn on a hike or adding to your bag for emergencies on your daily commute.
Final Verdict: Is the Ultra Facial Barrier Cream Worth It?
Q: Can I use this cream if I have oily or acne-prone skin?
This cream is specifically formulated for very dry and sensitive skin, so its texture is rich. If you have oily skin, you might find it too heavy for all-over daily use. However, it can be excellent as a targeted treatment for dry patches or areas of irritation, especially if you're using strong acne treatments (like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide) that compromise your skin barrier. We'd recommend a patch test first.
What's the difference between this and the original Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream?
Think of the original Ultra Facial Cream as your reliable daily moisturiser for balanced hydration. The Advanced Repair Barrier Cream is more like an SOS treatment or an intensive care unit for your skin. It’s much richer and is specifically designed to repair a damaged or compromised skin barrier, soothe visible redness, and relieve serious discomfort and irritation.
Can I use this with active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, or vitamin C?
es, absolutely! It's an ideal partner for a routine that includes strong active ingredients. Applying the barrier cream after your actives can help to soothe the skin, reduce potential irritation and peeling, and support your skin barrier as it adapts.
Is it suitable to wear under makeup?
Yes, it works well under makeup. Its unique balm-to-cream texture absorbs fully without leaving a greasy film. For best results, give it a minute or two to sink in completely before applying your primer or foundation to avoid any pilling.
How often should I use it?
This depends on your skin's needs. If you have consistently very dry and irritated skin, you can use it twice daily as your main moisturiser. If your skin is less dry, you might use it as a night cream for an intensive overnight treatment, or simply as needed to treat flare-ups of sensitivity, windburn, or irritation.
Is the formula fragrance-free?
Yes, the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream is fragrance-free, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin that is often irritated by perfumes in skincare.
Darcey
Beauty Writer
