Where a Balm Fits in a Modern Skincare Routine
Most skincare routines are built around adding things to the skin: hydration, actives, antioxidants. And for many people, that works well—until it doesn’t.
If you’ve ever applied your serum and moisturizer only to feel dry again shortly afterward, the issue usually isn’t effort or product quality. It’s that hydration is escaping faster than your skin can hold onto it.
This is where a balm fits in.
The outermost layer of the skin functions as a barrier, limiting water loss while protecting against environmental stressors. When that barrier is compromised—by cold weather, frequent washing, active treatments like retinoids, or underlying sensitivity—hydration doesn’t last. Skin may feel temporarily moisturized, then quickly tight or uncomfortable again.
Most routines stop after moisturizer. But when the barrier is under strain, that final sealing step is often what’s missing.
A balm is designed to sit on top of the skin and reduce transepidermal water loss. Rather than adding hydration itself, it helps the skin retain the moisture already present. Used as the last step, it creates a supportive environment that allows the barrier to function more normally over time.
In practice, this is why dermatologists often recommend occlusive or semi-occlusive products for dry, winter-stressed, or treatment-sensitized skin. The goal isn’t heaviness or shine—it’s protection.
How you use a balm matters. It works best as the final step in a routine:
cleanse, apply treatments, moisturize, then finish with a thin layer of balm. Applied this way, it helps make the rest of your routine more effective rather than competing with it.
Not everyone needs a balm every day. But it can be especially helpful at night, during colder months, while using retinoids or exfoliating acids, or anytime skin feels tight, reactive, or slow to recover.
Formulation is important. Many traditional balms include fragrance, essential oils, botanicals, or lanolin—ingredients that can be problematic for sensitive or allergy-prone skin. A balm designed for barrier support should focus on function, avoid unnecessary additives, and integrate easily into a routine without introducing new sources of irritation.
This understanding guided the development of our Barrier Balm. It was designed to be a quiet final step—supporting the skin barrier, helping hydration last longer, and fitting seamlessly into dermatologist-recommended routines.
Sometimes improving skin health isn’t about adding more steps. It’s about adding the right one.
