Skincare ingredients for skin barrier repair
Our research data links 23 ingredients to skin barrier repair. Strongest evidence comes first, each with the studies behind it.
A research list, not medical advice. If a skin condition worries you, see a dermatologist.
Which ingredients have the most evidence for skin barrier repair?
In our data, the strongest evidence for skin barrier repair is behind White Petrolatum, Dexpanthenol, and Urea.
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| Ingredient | Evidence | Studied at | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Petrolatum | 📄 Literature evidence | Study dose: not found yet | Low concern |
| Dexpanthenol | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 5% | Low concern |
| Urea | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 10%, 20% | Low concern |
| Glycerol | 📄 Literature evidence | Studied only mixed with other actives | Low concern |
| Niacinamide | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 2-5% | Low concern |
- White PetrolatumLow concern
Petrolatum
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Ghadially et al., 1992
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 345 products
- DexpanthenolLow concern
Studied at 5%
- Reference: Proksch and Nissen, 2002
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 127 products
- UreaLow concern
Studied at 10%, 20%
- Reference: Grether-Beck et al., 2012
- Reference: Danby et al., 2022
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 636 products
- GlycerolLow concern
Glycerin
Studied only mixed with other actives
- Reference: Danby et al., 2022
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 30,056 products
- NiacinamideLow concern
Studied at 2-5%
- Korea approved amount: 2-5%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
- Reference: Bissett et al., 2004
- Reference: Draelos et al., 2006
- Reference: Kimball et al., 2010
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 12,904 products
- EctoineLow concern
Ectoin
Studied at 7%
- Reference: Marini et al., 2014
- Reference: Bitop AG, 2010
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 847 products
- CholesterolLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 3,109 products
- Ceramide APLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,102 products
- Ceramide ASLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 723 products
- Ceramide EOPLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,078 products
- Ceramide EOSLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Listed in 25 products
- Ceramide NDS (INCI Ceramide NG)Low concern
Ceramide NG
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Listed in 227 products
- Ceramide NPLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 7,445 products
- Ceramide NSLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 819 products
- Linoleic acidLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 624 products
- Palmitic acidLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 3,031 products
- Stearic acidLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
Rated on structure and mixed-formulation evidence. The stand-alone clinical effective % is N/A, and 5.0 does not mean better than other lipids.
- Reference: CIR, 2015
- Reference: Man et al., 1996
- Reference: Zettersten et al., 1997
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 6,823 products
- Dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane)Low concern
Dimethicone
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Zhai et al., 2000
- Reference: Hoggarth et al., 2005
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 7,432 products
- PhytosphingosineLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2007
- Reference: CIR, 2015
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,641 products
- Phytosphingosine hydrochlorideLow concern
Studied at 0.2%
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2007
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- SphingosineLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: CIR, 2015
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- PanthenolLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Proksch and Nissen, 2002
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 12,235 products
- SqualeneLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Okuda et al., 2002
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 130 products
– = no pregnancy research data yet
Which ingredients for skin barrier repair are advised against in pregnancy?
None of the 23 ingredients here carries an 'advised to avoid' verdict for pregnancy in our data.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check new products with your doctor or midwife.
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