Our bestselling Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream is now available in two elevated, deeply moisturizing textures: the original and Barrier Therapy Rich. Below, everything you need to know about both formulas—along with a primer on skin protectants, colloidal oatmeal, barrier support, and more.

How Skin Protectants Support Compromised Skin

Our Barrier Therapy skin protectant creams for face and body are part of our skin protectant collection, a drug category identified by the FDA meant to protect injured or exposed skin from harmful or annoying stimuli while helping to provide relief to the skin.

Containing 1% colloidal oatmeal, both Barrier Therapy and Barrier Therapy Rich address dryness, eczema flare-ups, and atopic dermatitis.

Eczema and Skin Barrier Dysfunction

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by dryness, intense itching (pruritus), and red patches that stems from a variety of causes including genetics, allergies, hormonal changes, pollution, dry climate, and impaired immune system. Triggers like stress can lead to flare-ups, too.

Atopic skin, which falls under the category of eczema, tends to have a dysfunctional skin barrier and disorganized layers of skin cells that allows for the penetration of allergens and irritants that lead to redness and inflammation. This disrupted barrier also leads to transepidermal water loss and dryness. Often, there is also a reduction in the secretion of lamellar bodies that create the lipid barrier in the skin comprised of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.

Short-Term Relief and Ongoing Barrier Support

Eczema flare-ups can be addressed with the use of a topical steroid such as hydrocortisone, but steroid use should be limited because they atrophy and thin the skin over time. A more long-term solution to prevent, protect, and temporarily relieve symptoms of eczema and atopic dermatitis is the use of a colloidal-oatmeal-containing skin protectant product.

When used at a minimum of 0.007%, colloidal oatmeal is the only skin protectant active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to temporarily protect and help relieve minor irritation and itching due to eczema. That’s why our Barrier Therapy skin protectant creams—both the original formula and the rich formula—contain 1% colloidal oatmeal USP as well as a skin replenishing multi-ceramide blend, allantoin, and adenosine to support the compromised skin barrier.

Colloidal Oatmeal for Skin Barrier Protection

The protective properties of colloidal oatmeal are due to its high concentration of starches and beta-glucan that form a protective film on the skin with high water-holding capacity. This, in turn, locks in moisture and shields the skin from pollutants or irritants that further dehydrate or cause inflammation. The various phenolic compounds in colloidal oatmeal act as antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby soothing dry, itchy, and sensitive skin.

Colloidal oatmeal also acts as an efficient skin buffer counteracting elevated skin pH which improves stratum corneum barrier function and integrity. The many mechanisms of action provide direct dermatological benefits, especially for those suffering with atopic dermatitis or eczema.

Ceramides and Skin Barrier Support

Our Barrier Therapy creams also contain a multi-ceramide blend to replenish depleted ceramide levels in the skin. Ceramides are the primary lipid in the multilamellar barrier— which consists of 40-50% ceramides, 25% cholesterol, 10-15% fatty acids, and other components. These crucial lipids retain water present within the epidermis and help hold skin cells together, keeping out external aggressors and allergens while supporting the skin barrier function.

Applying ceramides topically through skincare products can help replenish the natural lipids lost from exposure to harsh environmental factors, aggressive skincare products, and the natural aging process. Our multi-ceramide blend is part of our bioactive lipid complex, a skin physiological lipid complex of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol optimized at the right ratio for improved moisture balance. Paired with a refatting agent it restores the moisture homeostasis of the skin.

The Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Formula

Along with 1% colloidal oatmeal and multi-ceramide blend, Barrier Therapy and Barrier Therapy Rich are formulated with allantoin and adenosine:

• Allantoin is a substance found in several botanical extracts and synthesized in labs that moisturizes, soothes, and softens skin.
• Adenosine is a skin-restoring agent that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, improves skin smoothness, and soothes skin.

How Barrier Therapy Rich Differs From Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream

Both Barrier Therapy skin protectant formulas contain 1% colloidal oatmeal, a multi-ceramide blend, and allantoin to provide relief to dry, distressed skin and alleviate minor irritation and itchiness due to eczema flare-ups.

What makes them distinct is their texture and intensity of nourishment:

• The original Barrier Therapy has a silky, whipped, almost lightweight texture.
• Barrier Therapy Rich delivers the same skincare benefits with a denser, more balm-like texture that’s ideal for drier skin types, colder months, or anyone who can benefit from richer nourishment.

Clinical Testing, Safety, and Intended Use

Both of our Barrier Therapy skin protectant creams are clinically tested for 24-hour hydration.

We created this product for head-to-toe application because eczema isn’t isolated to one section of the body. (We always advise patch testing prior to full skin application.) For specific spots like eyelids, please check with your dermatologist.

Both are safe for sensitive skin, allergy tested, hypoallergenic, and perfect for atopic and eczema prone skin. Both have received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

DISCLAIMER: All skin care articles are intended to help educate on specific ingredients and skin care topics. Our articles are written to be informative and informational. Any reference to a specific patient experience is not a medical suggestion for treatment. Please note that any Prequel products with referenced ingredients are formulated for Cosmetic Use Only and NOT intended as replacements for physician advice and/or pharmaceutical product recommendations.