Dr.Althea's 147 Barrier Cream is the repair counterpart to the 345 Relief Cream, and the numbers again describe the structure: one core ceramide complex, four supporting lipids, seven soothing botanicals.

That lipid focus is what makes it a genuine barrier product rather than a moisturiser with ceramides named on the front. The skin barrier is a matrix of several lipid types, not a single ingredient - which is why a ceramide complex plus four supporting lipids does more than a higher dose of ceramides alone.

The seven botanicals handle the other half of the problem. A compromised barrier does not only lose water; it stops keeping irritants out, which is why skin that flakes also stings. Treating only the dryness leaves that untreated.

The texture is richer than the 345 and fragrance-free throughout.

Use as the final step during a barrier-repair stretch - typically a fortnight of cleanser, this, and sunscreen while skin recovers. Reintroduce actives one at a time afterwards, a week apart.