If your skin still feels tight, flaky or stings in air cond even after moisturiser, your skin barrier is probably waving a white flag. In Malaysia’s hot, humid yet heavily air-conditioned environment, our skin constantly loses water and becomes more vulnerable to irritation and redness.
Your skin barrier is made of lipids like ceramides that lock in moisture and keep irritants out. When ceramides are low, skin becomes dry, tight and sensitive, so adding them back with skincare can visibly improve hydration and barrier function.
How to tell your skin barrier is struggling
You might need barrier care if you notice:
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Skin feels tight, rough or flaky even after moisturiser
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Redness, burning or stinging when you apply skincare
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Sudden sensitivity to products that used to be fine
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Breakouts plus dryness at the same time
A weak barrier allows more water to evaporate from skin, which leaves skin dehydrated and easily irritated. If this sounds like you, pause strong actives for a bit and focus on hydration, ceramides, panthenol and barrier-friendly textures.
How we chose our 2025 Editor’s Choice
We looked for products that:
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Use barrier support ingredients like ceramides, snail mucin, panthenol, squalane and glycerin
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Are suitable for dry, sensitive and eczema prone skin
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Layer well in Malaysia’s heat but still protect in cold office air con
1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Best for: Everyday face and body hydration, dry to very dry and sensitive skin
Why is it an editor's favourite
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Rich yet non-greasy cream for both face and body
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Formulated with three essential ceramides plus hyaluronic acid to hydrate and rebuild the skin barrier over time
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Uses MVE technology that slowly releases moisture for all day comfort
2. KraveBeauty Great Barrier Relief
Best for: Angry, over-exfoliated skin and post-acne barrier repair.
Why is it an editor's favourite
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A creamy barrier serum packed with tamanu oil, niacinamide and ceramides to calm sensitivity and support repair
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Designed to restore over-sensitised skin and improve barrier function
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Great as a “rescue step” when skin is hot, red or reactive
3. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
Best for: Dehydrated, dull and sensitised skin that needs bounce
Why is it an editor's favourite
This gel cream contains 92 per cent snail secretion filtrate, a K beauty ingredient loved for its hydrating, soothing and barrier supporting properties. It helps to:
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Deeply hydrate and plump skin
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Soften post-acne marks and rough texture
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Soothe redness from a weakened barrier
4. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
Best for: SOS repair balm for irritated or very dry areas
Why is it an editor's favourite
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Multi purpose balm for face and body, suitable even for babies and sensitive skin
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Powered by panthenol (vitamin B5), shea butter, madecassoside and soothing thermal water that hydrate, calm and support barrier repair
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Ideal as a final occlusive layer on dry spots, lips, or over actives
5. Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
Best for: Dry, dull or mature skin that wants glow plus nourishment
Why is it an editor's favourite
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Inspired by traditional Korean beauty rituals, this cream blends rice bran water, ginseng, honey, squalane and niacinamide to hydrate, firm and brighten
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Leaves a dewy, luminous finish that still works under makeup in Malaysia’s humidity when used in a thin layer
Ready to repair your barrier
🛒 Shop all favourites: Dry Skin collection
💧 Browse hydrating formulas: Hydrating collection
🧬 Explore barrier boosting ingredients: Ceramides collection and Squalane collection
Your skin deserves a gentle reset so your makeup, selfies and confidence can glow again.
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