What is a Barrier Balm and When Should You Use One as Skincare? What is a Barrier Balm and When Should You Use One as Skincare?

 

If your skin gets dry, chapped, or irritated after spending time outside, you may need more than a traditional moisturizer. A barrier balm is designed to moisturize the skin while also creating a protective layer against environmental conditions.

That makes barrier balms particularly useful for outdoor activities where your skin is exposed to wind, cold, sun, dry heat, or changing weather.

Dermatone's skin protection balms are designed specifically for these conditions, combining moisturizing ingredients with a barrier that helps protect exposed skin.

What Is a Barrier Balm?

A barrier balm is a thicker, protective skincare product that sits on the surface of the skin and helps shield it from environmental conditions.

While a moisturizer is primarily used to hydrate and soften the skin, a barrier balm can do both while helping protect the skin from the elements. The two aren't mutually exclusive: a barrier balm can also be moisturizing.

For example, our Classic Skin Protector Balm (SPF 23) is a water-free formula that we consider both a barrier balm and hydrating moisturizer. It helps seal moisture into the skin while protecting against wind, cold, sun, chapping, and dryness.

Barrier Balm vs. Moisturizer: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference is what you're trying to protect your skin from.

A traditional moisturizer is generally used to add hydration and help maintain the skin's moisture. A barrier balm is designed to provide that moisturizing benefit while also creating a layer between your skin and the surrounding environment.

Think of it this way:

A moisturizer helps hydrate and soften your skin. While a barrier balm helps moisturize your skin and provides a protective layer against environmental exposure.

A barrier balm may therefore be especially useful when you're spending hours outdoors or dealing with particularly harsh conditions.

Dermatone describes both its Classic and Z-Cote tin formulas as moisturizing products that also protect against environmental conditions.

When Should You Use a Barrier Balm?

A barrier balm can be helpful whenever your skin is exposed to conditions that contribute to dryness, chapping, or irritation.

For Protection Against Cold and Wind

Cold temperatures and strong winds can be particularly tough on exposed skin. Dermatone's Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 creates a water-free barrier designed to protect against wind and cold while helping prevent chapping and dryness.

It's designed for outdoor activities ranging from everyday adventures to high-elevation climbs and cold-weather activities.

When Getting a Lot of Sun Exposure

Some barrier balms also provide SPF protection, allowing you to combine environmental protection and sun protection in one product.

Our Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 provides broad-spectrum SPF 23 protection and is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

For higher SPF protection, our Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection using zinc oxide as part of its mineral-based formula.

Living or Recreating in a Climate with Dry Heat

Barrier balms aren't only useful during winter. Dry, hot environments can also contribute to uncomfortable, dry skin.

We recommend the Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 for conditions ranging from cold and windy weather to hot, dry climates and boating. Its formula is designed to protect against sun, wind, heat, cold, and chapping.

What is Dermatone's Original Skin Protector Balm?

The Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 is our original-style skin protection balm.

It's a water-free formula which was designed to create a strong barrier against environmental conditions while also moisturizing the skin. It helps protect against wind, cold, sun, chapping, and dryness and can be used on the face, lips, neck, ears, and body.

The formula contains ingredients including lanolin, vitamin E, retinyl palmitate, and tea tree oil. Dermatone describes lanolin and retinyl palmitate as moisturizing ingredients, while tea tree oil is included for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

What is Dermatone's Z-Cote Tin?

Dermatone Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 is a mineral-based barrier balm that combines environmental protection with SPF 30 sun protection.

It contains 8.5% zinc oxide, along with ingredients including lanolin, aloe vera, vitamin E, and petrolatum. Dermatone describes zinc oxide as helping create a barrier against moisture and UV rays, while lanolin moisturizes and soothes and aloe vera helps calm and hydrate the skin.

The formula is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and is designed for activities in conditions including cold, wind, intense sun, and dry heat.

Which Dermatone Barrier Balm Should You Choose?

Both products are designed to moisturize and protect skin from outdoor conditions, but they offer different levels of SPF.

• Choose the Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 if you're looking for the original versatile barrier balm with SPF 23 protection.
• Choose the Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 if you want a mineral-based formula with zinc oxide and SPF 30 protection.

Either can be useful when your skin needs both moisture and additional protection from the elements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barrier Balms

Can you use a barrier balm on your face?

Yes, some barrier balms are designed for facial use. Check the product's directions and ingredient list to determine whether it is appropriate for your skin.

Should you apply moisturizer before barrier balm?

It depends on the products you're using. If your skin needs additional hydration, you may apply moisturizer first and use a barrier balm as the final protective layer.

Does barrier balm clog pores?

It depends on the specific formula and your skin type. Check the ingredient list and choose a product formulated for your intended use.

Can you use barrier balm in summer?

Yes. Barrier balms can be useful year-round, particularly during outdoor activities where skin is exposed to sun, wind, heat, or dry conditions.

Give Your Skin an Extra Layer of Protection

A barrier balm isn't simply a heavier moisturizer. It combines moisturizing benefits with a protective layer designed to help shield your skin from environmental conditions.

That makes barrier balms especially useful for outdoor activities, cold and windy weather, dry heat, and long periods of sun exposure.

Dermatone's Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 provides versatile barrier and moisturizing protection with SPF 23, while the Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 combines barrier protection, moisturizing ingredients, and mineral-based SPF 30 protection.

If your skin tends to become dry or chapped when you're outside, adding a barrier balm to your outdoor skincare routine can help give your skin an extra layer of protection.

Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from a dermatologist or physician, especially if you have a specific skin condition or sun sensitivity.

 

If your skin gets dry, chapped, or irritated after spending time outside, you may need more than a traditional moisturizer. A barrier balm is designed to moisturize the skin while also creating a protective layer against environmental conditions.

That makes barrier balms particularly useful for outdoor activities where your skin is exposed to wind, cold, sun, dry heat, or changing weather.

Dermatone's skin protection balms are designed specifically for these conditions, combining moisturizing ingredients with a barrier that helps protect exposed skin.

What Is a Barrier Balm?

A barrier balm is a thicker, protective skincare product that sits on the surface of the skin and helps shield it from environmental conditions.

While a moisturizer is primarily used to hydrate and soften the skin, a barrier balm can do both while helping protect the skin from the elements. The two aren't mutually exclusive: a barrier balm can also be moisturizing.

For example, our Classic Skin Protector Balm (SPF 23) is a water-free formula that we consider both a barrier balm and hydrating moisturizer. It helps seal moisture into the skin while protecting against wind, cold, sun, chapping, and dryness.

Barrier Balm vs. Moisturizer: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference is what you're trying to protect your skin from.

A traditional moisturizer is generally used to add hydration and help maintain the skin's moisture. A barrier balm is designed to provide that moisturizing benefit while also creating a layer between your skin and the surrounding environment.

Think of it this way:

A moisturizer helps hydrate and soften your skin. While a barrier balm helps moisturize your skin and provides a protective layer against environmental exposure.

A barrier balm may therefore be especially useful when you're spending hours outdoors or dealing with particularly harsh conditions.

Dermatone describes both its Classic and Z-Cote tin formulas as moisturizing products that also protect against environmental conditions.

When Should You Use a Barrier Balm?

A barrier balm can be helpful whenever your skin is exposed to conditions that contribute to dryness, chapping, or irritation.

For Protection Against Cold and Wind

Cold temperatures and strong winds can be particularly tough on exposed skin. Dermatone's Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 creates a water-free barrier designed to protect against wind and cold while helping prevent chapping and dryness.

It's designed for outdoor activities ranging from everyday adventures to high-elevation climbs and cold-weather activities.

When Getting a Lot of Sun Exposure

Some barrier balms also provide SPF protection, allowing you to combine environmental protection and sun protection in one product.

Our Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 provides broad-spectrum SPF 23 protection and is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

For higher SPF protection, our Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection using zinc oxide as part of its mineral-based formula.

Living or Recreating in a Climate with Dry Heat

Barrier balms aren't only useful during winter. Dry, hot environments can also contribute to uncomfortable, dry skin.

We recommend the Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 for conditions ranging from cold and windy weather to hot, dry climates and boating. Its formula is designed to protect against sun, wind, heat, cold, and chapping.

What is Dermatone's Original Skin Protector Balm?

The Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 is our original-style skin protection balm.

It's a water-free formula which was designed to create a strong barrier against environmental conditions while also moisturizing the skin. It helps protect against wind, cold, sun, chapping, and dryness and can be used on the face, lips, neck, ears, and body.

The formula contains ingredients including lanolin, vitamin E, retinyl palmitate, and tea tree oil. Dermatone describes lanolin and retinyl palmitate as moisturizing ingredients, while tea tree oil is included for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

What is Dermatone's Z-Cote Tin?

Dermatone Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 is a mineral-based barrier balm that combines environmental protection with SPF 30 sun protection.

It contains 8.5% zinc oxide, along with ingredients including lanolin, aloe vera, vitamin E, and petrolatum. Dermatone describes zinc oxide as helping create a barrier against moisture and UV rays, while lanolin moisturizes and soothes and aloe vera helps calm and hydrate the skin.

The formula is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and is designed for activities in conditions including cold, wind, intense sun, and dry heat.

Which Dermatone Barrier Balm Should You Choose?

Both products are designed to moisturize and protect skin from outdoor conditions, but they offer different levels of SPF.

• Choose the Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 if you're looking for the original versatile barrier balm with SPF 23 protection.
• Choose the Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 if you want a mineral-based formula with zinc oxide and SPF 30 protection.

Either can be useful when your skin needs both moisture and additional protection from the elements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barrier Balms

Can you use a barrier balm on your face?

Yes, some barrier balms are designed for facial use. Check the product's directions and ingredient list to determine whether it is appropriate for your skin.

Should you apply moisturizer before barrier balm?

It depends on the products you're using. If your skin needs additional hydration, you may apply moisturizer first and use a barrier balm as the final protective layer.

Does barrier balm clog pores?

It depends on the specific formula and your skin type. Check the ingredient list and choose a product formulated for your intended use.

Can you use barrier balm in summer?

Yes. Barrier balms can be useful year-round, particularly during outdoor activities where skin is exposed to sun, wind, heat, or dry conditions.

Give Your Skin an Extra Layer of Protection

A barrier balm isn't simply a heavier moisturizer. It combines moisturizing benefits with a protective layer designed to help shield your skin from environmental conditions.

That makes barrier balms especially useful for outdoor activities, cold and windy weather, dry heat, and long periods of sun exposure.

Dermatone's Classic Skin Protector Balm SPF 23 provides versatile barrier and moisturizing protection with SPF 23, while the Skin Protector Creme with Z-Cote SPF 30 combines barrier protection, moisturizing ingredients, and mineral-based SPF 30 protection.

If your skin tends to become dry or chapped when you're outside, adding a barrier balm to your outdoor skincare routine can help give your skin an extra layer of protection.

Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from a dermatologist or physician, especially if you have a specific skin condition or sun sensitivity.