Rhode Barrier Butter Isn't Your Average Moisturizer. But My Dry Skin Loves It.
The texture is thick and silky, with more weight than a gel moisturizer but more slip than a traditional occlusive balm. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter
Rhode makes a lot of statements about what this moisturizer can do. The description says, 'It helps strengthen the skin barrier and seal in moisture for up to 24 hours*—restoring skin's natural softness and bounce.' That asterisk indicates 'with daily use,' of course.
The company also claims that the moisturizer can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and produce an immediate and long-lasting glow. I didn't doubt that this moisturizer could deliver a dewy finish—plenty of moisturizers can, and the brand is kind of known for that at this point—but I went in with doubt about the whole minimizing-fine-lines thing.
Certainly, for people who crave a glistening, borderline oily finish, this is ideal. Barrier Butter is thick, with a capital T. It's the type of creamy balm you might imagine would come in a jar, but it's housed in a light gray, squeezable tube instead. And though it's undeniably heavy, Barrier Butter spreads like, well, butter (at room temperature). It glides across the skin with ease but takes a few minutes to sink in. This is the tiny amount of Barrier Butter I like to use on my face, which may still be too much for some people. Be warned: A little goes a long way. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter
For those with parched skin, it's tempting to slather on the moisturizer—especially if you're accustomed to using thinner lotions. But take heed: A little of this stuff goes a long way.
The photo above shows the amount I've found to be just right for my entire face—though even that tiny dollop is probably more than enough for anyone who prefers a more subtle, shine-free finish.
Like many face moisturizers, this one can be used on the body, as well. The difference, though, lies in the size of the packaging. Oftentimes face moisturizers come at a steep price for a tiny jar, which discourages a more generous application on the body. However, this one comes in a 5-ounce size, leaving some for you to spread the love to other dry spots, which I liked.
One of our testers, supervising editor Hannah Rimm—who despises the feeling of body lotion—applied it to her psoriasis-prone areas and found that it significantly softened her skin without leaving a trace of greasiness.
I, too, used it on my eczema-prone hands and saw improvement in the dry patches and irritation I'd been battling. Though I found it a bit too greasy for daytime use on my hands, it was perfect for mending my dry hands overnight.
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Emailing midea4028@ Visiting By visiting and clicking 'RECALL INFORMATION' for more information. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@
