First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: tested and reviewed

Dealing with sensitive skin can feel like a full-time job. Take it from me: In the course of one day of work, I can break out, tend to get dehydrated, and carefully scrutinize every skincare label I come across. I’ve searched for years for a product that actually works for my skin, so when I discovered First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, I knew I had finally found my holy grail.

Let’s rewind for a moment: I went to school in Richmond, Virginia, and after a long period of trial and error to find products that didn’t cause irritation or redness, my skin learned to love the warm, humid weather. Nevertheless, I moved to Boston a few summers ago. The shock of the cooler climate went unnoticed at first, but as the season turned to autumn, my face became unbearably dry, red and flaky – even moisturizing three times a day barely made a difference. It was the most uncomfortable my skin had felt in years.

That’s when I knew it was time to find a heavier moisturizer that could keep my face hydrated without causing breakouts. A friend with similarly sensitive skin recommended the Ultra Repair Cream, and after I tried it, I was hooked. It’s now gotten me through two seasons of cold weather without the aggravation I experienced that first fall — and you can now grab two tubs of it for $60.

It turns out I’m not alone: ​​Many people with sensitive skin notice irritation and dryness when the weather changes. “The skin loses a lot of moisture to the environment when the air is less humid, such as during the transition from summer to autumn or winter,” says a board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazian, MD say.

The key to avoiding skin irritation during seasonal changes, according to Dr. Nazarian? Invest in a high-quality moisturizer that protects your skin barrier. “Moisturized skin is healthy skin, which means it can better protect you from the environment. Your skin is your first line of defense against anything on the outside,” she says.

When it comes to First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, Dr. Nazarian’s gentle but effective formula – and that also applies to my skin. Natural ingredients like hydrating squalane and soothing, anti-inflammatory oatmeal (which can help reduce annoying winter itching and promote skin healing) work together to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier during the colder months. “[Ultra Repair Cream] also contains licorice root extract, which we now know can slow the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, keeping our skin healthier and more naturally hydrated,” she says.

During summers, I apply this cream before going to bed to maintain the glow of my skin. But as soon as that first cool breeze blows, I add it to my morning routine too. I love the refreshing, cooling effect; it’s almost like I can feel it moisturizing my skin in real time. And dr. Nazarian says there’s no such thing as over-hydrating, so I often grab my tub of Ultra Repair Cream as a snack.

Dealing with sensitive skin can feel like you’re always busy, but you can delegate some of that work (and finally get some relief) with the right products. I’m officially calling this cream my skin’s all-weather savior — and whether you’re dealing with changing weather forecasts or just trying to keep your skin hydrated, it can be yours too.