A deeper, clearer explanation of how to use your barrier repair moisturiser

This guide explains how to use your ceramide barrier cream safely and effectively. It does not replace advice from your doctor or dermatologist. ¹

1. What this cream actually does

Your skin barrier is like a protective wall: skin cells are the “bricks” and natural fats (lipids) are the “mortar” holding them together. ³

The most important lipids are ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, which together help keep water in and irritants out. ³

When this barrier is damaged (cold weather, over-cleansing, scrubs, retinoids, peels/laser, stress or illness), more water escapes and more irritants get in, so skin feels tight, stingy, red and rough. ³

A ceramide barrier cream tops up these natural lipids and supports barrier repair over time. ^{3 5}

In simple terms, this cream helps to:

• Reduce dryness, tightness and flaking by helping skin hold onto water for longer. ⁵
• Calm sensitivity and support recovery when the barrier is irritated or over-treated. ³
• Create a stable base so other products (like retinol or vitamin C) are easier to tolerate. ⁸

2. Who this cream is for (and why it helps)

This is a cosmetic moisturiser, not a medicine; it is designed to improve the comfort and appearance of dry or sensitive skin rather than treat disease. ¹

It is particularly helpful if:

• Your skin feels tight or stings after washing, especially in winter or in air-conditioning. ²
• You have dry patches that keep coming back, even when you moisturise. ⁵
• You’ve had peels, laser or microneedling and were advised to use a barrier cream while the skin settles. ⁹
• You react to fragrance, scrubs, or “active” products and feel like “everything burns.” ³

It does not replace prescription treatment for eczema, psoriasis or severe dermatitis; those often need medical therapy as well. ^{3 8}

Always tell us if you have a diagnosed skin condition so we can advise how to use this alongside your medical treatment. ²

Do not apply this cream directly to: open cuts or broken skin, oozing or infected areas, cold sores, or any changing/suspicious lesions. (Ask us first if unsure.) ⁹

3. What results to expect (and how long it takes)

Patterns vary, but the timeline below is common when used twice daily. ^{5 8}

Days 1–3 – “Comfort Phase”: Less tightness and sting after cleansing; makeup/sunscreen goes on more smoothly. ⁵

Days 4–14 – “Hydration Phase”: Dry patches, roughness and flaking soften; skin looks calmer and less blotchy. ^{5 3}

Weeks 2–6 – “Barrier Recovery Phase”: With regular use, the barrier becomes more stable and retains moisture better; many people tolerate other products with fewer reactions. ^{3 8}

After 6 weeks – “Maintenance Phase”: Ongoing use helps prevent a slide back into dryness and sensitivity, especially in winter or while using actives such as retinoids/acids. ^{3 8}

If inflammation is worsening after several weeks of correct use, book a review so we can check for other causes (eczema, allergy, infection). ²

4. How to use it – morning and night

Consistency beats quantity. A thin, regular application is more effective than occasional heavy use. ⁵

4.1 Morning routine

• Gentle cleanse – avoid harsh foaming/scrubs or heavy fragrance while repairing. ^{2 3}
• Pat dry, leave slightly damp – applying to damp skin improves moisturiser uptake. ⁵
• Apply a pea-sized amount to face (fingertip for face+neck); spread without rubbing hard. ⁵
• SPF 50+ when the UV Index is 3+, per Australian guidance. ^{6 7}
• Makeup last – smoother layers, less friction/irritation. ³

4.2 Evening routine

• Gentle cleanse to remove makeup/sunscreen/pollution. ²
• If using retinol/prescription actives, apply them first as directed and allow to absorb. ⁸
• Apply the ceramide cream last – comforts dryness and supports overnight repair. ^{3 5}
• If no actives: cleanse → ceramide cream. ³

4.3 If you have oily or acne-prone skin

Use a thin layer, especially on the T-zone; ceramides don’t cause acne, but heavy layers of any product can trap oil. ³

5. Using it after cosmetic procedures

Peels, laser and microneedling temporarily disrupt the barrier; a suitable moisturiser reduces discomfort and aids healing. ⁹

5.1 When to start

Your clinician will give exact timing, but generally: light peels (same day/next day), microneedling (evening if not weeping), non-ablative laser (next day), fractional/ablative resurfacing (24–72 h once closed, not weeping). ⁹

5.2 How to apply after procedures

• Use fragrance-free products; apply thin layers more often (thick layers trap heat). ⁹
• Combine with SPF 50+ outdoors while healing. ⁷
• Avoid strong actives (acids, high-strength retinoids) until skin feels comfortable and intact again. ⁹

5.3 Normal vs not normal

Normal: warmth, redness, tightness, fine flaking in early days. ⁹

Not normal: worsening burning after application, blisters, yellow crusts/weep, spreading redness—stop and contact us urgently. ⁹

6. Using it with your other skincare

The goal is to simplify and stabilise your routine while the barrier heals. ³

6.1 If you use retinol or prescription creams

Use them at night as directed; apply the active first, wait 5–10 min, then apply the ceramide cream (or buffer as advised if sensitive). ^{8 4}

6.2 If you use acids (AHA/BHA, toners, peels)

Do not restart strong acids while the skin is inflamed or fresh post-procedure; reintroduce slowly (e.g., once weekly at night), using the ceramide cream on off nights. ^{3 9}

6.3 If you already have a favourite moisturiser

Either keep your usual moisturiser in the morning and use the ceramide cream at night, or use the ceramide cream twice daily for 4–6 weeks then reintroduce other products slowly. ^{5 8}

7. What is normal to feel – and when to stop

Knowing what’s normal prevents stopping too early; knowing warning signs helps you act quickly. ³

Usually normal: a soft dewy/“film” feel, mild warmth/brief tingle that settles within minutes, slight surface shine. ⁵

Warning signs (stop and contact us): burning that builds, new rash/hives where applied, swelling (eyes/lips/face), cracked or yellow-crusted areas. ⁹

If unsure, pause the cream and send photos so we can advise. ²

8. Safety tips and when to see a doctor

• Do not use on open wounds, infections or cold sores. ⁹
• Tell us if you’ve had contact allergies or strong reactions to skincare before. ²
• If you experience shortness of breath, widespread rash or severe swelling after using any product, seek urgent medical care. ²

Most people tolerate ceramide creams well; problems usually arise when multiple strong actives are used on a stressed barrier. ⁸

9. Frequently asked questions

Do I need to use it every day?

Yes—like brushing your teeth, routine use works best; skipping frequently makes the barrier more likely to slip back into dryness/irritation. ⁵

Can I just use it at night?

Night-only is better than nothing, but twice-daily gives faster and more stable results in the first 4–6 weeks. ^{5 8}

Will this cream cure my eczema or psoriasis?

No—this is a cosmetic moisturiser that supports the barrier; it does not treat disease and may be used alongside prescriptions. ^{1 8}

Will it clog my pores?

Ceramide moisturisers are generally non-comedogenic when applied in thin layers; apply lightly in acne-prone areas. ³

Can men use it after shaving or hair removal?

Yes; a thin layer can reduce tightness and shave-related irritation, and it is safe for long-term use. ⁹

How long should I keep using it?

Many people keep a ceramide cream year-round, especially in winter or when using treatments that dry the skin. ^{5 8}

Sources

1. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Determining if your product is a cosmetic or a therapeutic good. 1 June 2024, updated 9 Oct 2024. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/guidance/determining-if-your-product-cosmetic-or-therapeutic-good ↩
2. Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD). Xerosis (dry skin) – patient information. https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/xerosis/ ↩
3. Uchida Y, Park K. Ceramides in skin health and disease: an update. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021;22:853–866. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34283373/ ↩
4. Man MQ, Feingold KR, Thornfeldt CR, Elias PM. Optimization of physiological lipid mixtures for barrier repair. J Invest Dermatol. 1996;106:1096–1101. PDF: https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)42564-3/pdf ↩
5. Spada F, Barnes TM, Greive KA. Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural moisturising systems. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:491–497. Open access: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6197824/ ↩
6. Cancer Council Australia. UV Index—when sun protection is needed. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/uv-index ↩
7. Australian Prescriber (Therapeutic Guidelines). Morriss S, Scardamaglia L. Sun protection: a practical guide for health professionals. 2025. Open access: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12566446/ ↩
8. Kang SY, et al. Moisturizer in patients with inflammatory skin diseases. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(7):888. Open access: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9315586/ ↩
9. Angra K, Angra P, Jiang SB. Review of post-laser-resurfacing topical agents: an evidence-based approach. Lasers Surg Med. 2021;53(9):1169–1179. Open access: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8570656/ ↩