MissLJBeauty

I originally went to Sephora looking for my beloved Rhode Glazing Milk, but it was out of stock. Instead, I decided to try something different and picked up Rhode Barrier Butter using my birthday voucher in July.

I'd seen plenty about Hailey Bieber's Rhode skincare line, but I wanted to see how this rich moisturising balm would work on my own combination skin. Would it be too heavy, or would it give my unhappy skin the boost it needed?

In this rhode barrier butter review, I wanted to look beyond the social media hype and see how the product performed on my own skin. Hailey Bieber's Rhode has become a familiar name in beauty, but I think the best skincare products are the ones that work for your skin type, not simply the ones everyone is talking about.

For me, this moisture balm earned its place in my skincare routine because it helped my skin look healthier when it was struggling with dryness. It might not be the right choice for everyone, particularly if you prefer a lightweight cream, but I can see why it has attracted so much attention.

Rhode Barrier Butter Review: At a Glance

My verdict: A brilliant intensive moisturiser for skin that needs extra comfort and hydration.

• Best for: Normal to dry skin, or combination skin experiencing dryness and peeling.

• Texture: Very thick, rich and buttery.

• Fragrance: Fragrance-free, which is exactly how I like my skincare.

• When I use it: In the evening, when my skin needs extra help.

• Would I repurchase? Yes. I'm planning to buy another when I visit America.

• My main complaint: Getting the last of the product out of the tube is difficult.

What Is Rhode Barrier Butter and What Does It Do?

Rhode Barrier Butter is an intensive moisture balm from Hailey Bieber's rhode skincare line. It is designed to provide deep hydration, help support the skin barrier and leave skin looking plumper and feeling softer.

Unlike a lightweight daily moisturiser, this is a richer product intended to be used as the final step in your evening skincare routine when your skin needs extra moisture.

The formula contains ingredients including hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, murumuru butter and ceramide NP. These work in different ways to help hydrate the skin, soften it and reduce moisture loss.

Why I Bought Rhode Barrier Butter

I didn't buy this because it was trending or because I wanted to recreate Hailey Bieber's glass skin look. I bought it because my skin genuinely needed help.

Mountain biking is brilliant, but my skin doesn't always agree. Add travelling, unpredictable weather and the changes in temperature we experience in the UK, and my combination skin can become very unhappy.

I was dealing with peeling and dryness, and my usual products weren't giving me the level of comfort I needed. When I couldn't get my usual Glazing Milk, I decided to try Barrier Butter instead.

My Rhode Barrier Butter Review After Five Months

The first thing I noticed was the texture. This is thick. Really thick, but not greasy. It's more “glass skin" than a greasy oil slick. 

If you prefer lightweight creams that disappear into your skin within seconds, Barrier Butter might surprise you. It feels more like a rich balm than the everyday moisturiser I normally reach for.

However, that thickness is also what makes it so useful for me. When my skin is feeling dry, tight or flaky, I want something that gives it a proper hit of moisture rather than another lightweight layer.

After a few applications, my skin started looking healthier again. It felt more comfortable, looked bouncier and appeared plumper. The peeling and dry appearance that had been bothering me improved, and my skin looked much happier.

I have been using it for five months, but I don't apply it every night. As someone with combination skin, I find it is best reserved for when my skin needs that extra boost. Using such a rich formula constantly would be more than I need.

That is the biggest lesson I have learnt from this product: sometimes your skin doesn't need another everyday moisturiser. It needs something more intensive that you can reach for when your usual routine isn't enough.

I've also found myself reaching for Rhode Barrier Butter when travelling for other reasons. On trips when I haven't packed my usual foot care products, I've used it on my dry elbows, knees and even my feet. Its rich, buttery texture makes it handy for those areas that can feel particularly dry when you're away from home.

Rhode Barrier Butter Ingredients: What You Need to Know

You don't need to be a skincare expert to understand why this formula works well as an intensive moisturiser. The key is that it combines ingredients that attract moisture with others that help keep it from escaping.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it helps attract water and support skin hydration. Rhode uses a complex featuring different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin at different levels.

This is useful when skin looks dull or feels dehydrated. Better hydration can leave it looking smoother and more plump, although it isn't a replacement for the ingredients that help reduce moisture loss.

Polyglutamic Acid

Polyglutamic acid is another humectant that helps attract and retain moisture. It works alongside hyaluronic acid to support hydrated, bouncy-looking skin.

I like that this formula doesn't rely on one ingredient to do all the work. The combination of humectants and richer emollients makes sense for a product designed to deliver intensive moisture.

Murumuru Butter

Murumuru butter is a nourishing emollient that helps soften the skin and seal in moisture. It is one of the ingredients that makes this formula feel so rich.

This is particularly useful when skin feels rough, dry or uncomfortable. It helps explain why Barrier Butter feels different from a lightweight gel cream.

Ceramide NP

Ceramides are lipids that form part of the skin's natural protective barrier. Ceramide NP helps support that barrier, which is important when skin is struggling to retain moisture.

When your skin is dry and flaky, adding hydration is only part of the picture. Helping the skin hold on to that moisture is important too.

The Overall Formula

Together, these ingredients make Barrier Butter more than just a thick cream. It combines hydration with emollients and barrier-supporting ingredients, making it particularly useful when skin needs a more intensive layer of moisture.

How to Use Rhode Barrier Butter in Your Skincare Routine

I use Barrier Butter in the evening, rather than automatically adding it to every morning and evening routine.

After cleansing, I apply my usual skincare products and finish with Barrier Butter as the final moisturising step. I use it when my skin feels particularly dry, uncomfortable or in need of extra moisture, sometimes every other night.

If I'm using my Rhode Glazing Milk and Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Butter can sit on top of those products as the final step. Glazing Milk is a product I already love, and the two products have different roles in my routine.

Glazing Milk provides a lighter, milky layer of hydration, while Barrier Butter gives me that much richer finish when my skin needs it.

I wouldn't rush to apply makeup immediately after using Barrier Butter. It needs time to settle, and the rich texture isn't what I want underneath my foundation when I'm getting ready in a hurry.

Which Skin Types Is Rhode Barrier Butter Best For?

Rhode Barrier Butter is a rich moisturising balm, so I think it's important to consider your skin type before buying it.

• Dry skin: A good option if your skin feels tight, rough or flaky and needs a richer layer of moisture.

• Combination skin: This is my skin type, and I love it when my skin needs extra care. I wouldn't use it every day, but it's brilliant when travelling or mountain biking leaves my skin feeling dry and unhappy.

• Oily skin: The thick texture may feel too rich for everyday use, particularly if your skin is already well hydrated.

• Acne-prone skin: Everyone's skin is different. Although a product may be labelled non-comedogenic, that doesn't guarantee it won't clog pores for everyone, so introduce it gradually.

• Sensitive skin: The fragrance-free formula is a positive, but sensitive skin can still react to other ingredients. Patch testing is sensible when trying something new.

Rhode Barrier Butter vs Glazing Milk and Barrier Restore Cream

One thing I like about the Rhode range is that the products have different purposes, even though they are often discussed together online.

Rhode Glazing Milk: This is the lighter, milky hydrating product I originally went to Sephora to buy. I use it when I want hydration without the richness of a thick balm.

Rhode Barrier Restore Cream: This is positioned as a daily moisturiser. It is rich but lighter in feel than Barrier Butter, making it a more obvious option if you want a regular moisturiser for morning and evening.

Rhode Barrier Butter: This is the intensive option. It has a much thicker texture and is the product I choose when my skin needs a more substantial layer of moisture.

I've also reviewed the Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid, which is another product worth considering if you like lightweight hydration.

For a more affordable alternative, I have also tried the No7 Good Intent Skin Sip Moisture Milk.

Rhode Barrier Butter Price, Size and Value for Money

Rhode's packaging is clean and simple. It isn't groundbreaking, but it looks nice and does the job.

My main issue is the tube. Because the formula is so thick, getting the last of the product out is difficult. I have found that cutting the tube is the best way to get to the remaining product, which isn't ideal but does mean less gets wasted.

The 40ml size is a good way to try the product without committing to the larger size. I bought mine with a birthday voucher, which helped make the purchase feel more reasonable.

At the time of checking, the UK price for the 40ml size was £22, with the larger 100ml size listed at £36. Prices can change, so check the retailer before purchasing. The smaller size works out at 55p per ml, compared with 36p per ml for the larger size.

Because I only use it when my skin needs an intensive boost, my 40ml tube has lasted me five months. That makes the smaller size a sensible option if, like me, you don't need such a rich product every single day.

Where to Buy Rhode Barrier Butter

You can buy Rhode Barrier Butter directly from the official Rhode website or from Sephora UK.

Sephora UK currently lists the 40ml size at £22 and the 100ml size at £36. The smaller tube works out at 55p per ml, compared with 36p per ml for the larger size, so the bigger tube offers better value if you know you enjoy the formula.

Rhode Barrier Butter: Pros and Cons

What I Love

• It makes my skin feel more comfortable when it is dry and flaky.

• My skin looks plumper, bouncier and healthier after a few applications.

• The formula is fragrance-free.

• It provides intensive moisture when lighter creams aren't enough.

• The 40ml size has lasted me well because I use it as needed.

What I Don't Love

• The texture is very thick and won't suit everyone.

• It needs time to settle before makeup.

• Getting the last of the product out of the tube is frustrating.

• I wouldn't use it every day on my combination skin.

Rhode Barrier Butter FAQs

Is Rhode Barrier Butter worth it?

For me, yes. It has helped my skin look and feel healthier when it has been dry and peeling. I particularly like it as an intensive evening moisturiser, although I wouldn't recommend it as an essential purchase for everyone.

Can you use Rhode Barrier Butter every day?

The brand recommends it as an intensive moisture balm, particularly for normal to dry skin. I use mine as needed rather than every day because I have combination skin. Your ideal frequency will depend on your skin and the rest of your routine.

Is Rhode Barrier Butter suitable for oily skin?

It may feel too rich if your skin is already oily and well hydrated. The formula is designed primarily for normal to dry skin, although some people with combination skin may appreciate it when experiencing dryness.

Does Rhode Barrier Butter have a fragrance?

It is fragrance-free, which is one of the things I appreciate about it. Skincare doesn't need to smell of anything to work well.

Can you wear makeup over Rhode Barrier Butter?

You can, but I would allow it time to settle first. I find it too rich to apply and immediately follow with foundation, particularly when I want my makeup to sit neatly.

What is the difference between Rhode Barrier Butter and Barrier Restore Cream?

Barrier Butter is the richer, more intensive moisture balm, while Barrier Restore Cream is designed as a daily moisturiser with a lighter feel. I would choose based on how much moisture your skin needs.

Does Rhode Barrier Butter help with a damaged skin barrier?

Final Verdict: Would I Recommend Rhode Barrier Butter?

Yes, I would.

I know celebrity beauty brands can get a hard time, and I understand why people are sceptical when a product becomes popular online. However, Rhode Barrier Butter has genuinely impressed me. It isn't just a product I like because of the packaging or the name on the tube. It has earned its place in my routine because I have seen how much better my skin can look and feel after using it.

For me, the secret is using it at the right time. My combination skin doesn't need a thick balm every day, but when travelling, mountain biking and unpredictable weather leave it feeling dry and unhappy, this is the kind of product I want to have in my bathroom cabinet.

I also appreciate that it is fragrance-free and that the smaller tube has lasted me so long.

The packaging could be improved, particularly when it comes to getting the final bit out, but that isn't enough to put me off buying it again.

If you have dry skin or your skin is struggling with dryness and needs a richer final layer in your evening routine, I think Rhode Barrier Butter is well worth considering. If you prefer lightweight moisturisers, you may be happier with Glazing Milk or Barrier Restore Cream instead.

Would I spend my own money on it again? Yes. In fact, I already know I want another tube of Rhode Skin when I next visit America.

Sometimes a product earns its place in your routine by doing exactly what you need it to do. For me, that is what rhode’s barrier butter has done.

About Laura

Hi, I'm Laura, the founder of MissLJBeauty. I've been reviewing beauty, skincare and haircare products for over 15 years and I'm qualified in beauty therapy, skincare and makeup. I buy many of the products I review myself, test them in my everyday routine and share honest, experience-led reviews to help you understand what products do, who they're best for and whether they're really worth your money.