Why Dermatologists Love Ghostberry (AKA ‘Nature’s Neosporin’) for Soft and Hydrated Skin

I’m not shy about my affinity for uber-rich creams—and my ridiculously high standards for an everyday moisturizer. I keep a tight rotation of my fail-safe picks on hand at all times; sure, I may stray from the classics to test out new launches (hazard of the job), but I always find my way back to them sooner or later.

And while there’s no one standard way for editors to test out a product, I know I really love a new moisturizer when I find myself constantly moving it back and forth between my bathroom (where I do my nighttime skin-care routine) and my vanity (where I apply my morning routine and makeup). It’s a rare occasion—one that’s occurred only a handful of times over the last few years.

After two-plus weeks of commuting from the bathroom to my vanity and back again, the new Alpyn Beauty Super Peptide & Ghostberry Repair Cream ($62) has officially won my seal of approval.

Alpyn Beauty, Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer for Barrier and Wrinkle Repair — $62.00

Ingredient Callouts:

• Snap-eight peptide: A potent combination of eight peptides that help relax the appearance of expression lines.
• Ghostberry: A plant that soothes skin by calming redness and irritation.
• Five-ceramide complex: A mix of five ceramides that help bind moisture to the skin and strengthen the protective barrier.

Pros:

• Hydrates and replenishes compromised skin
• Fragrance-free formula is safe for sensitive skin
• Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Cons:

• Expensive
• Other packaging options more hygenic

Why your skin might need ‘repair’

Even when you have the best of intentions, doing “too much” to your skin—namely with harsh actives and overexfoliation—can wreak havoc on its delicate barrier. The same thing can happen as a result of temperature shifts and different lifestyle factors, but the aftermath is the same: You’re left with a complexion that’s poorly equipped to retain moisture and defend against the elements, making you more vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and acne.

“When harsh cleansers are used, harsh products, extreme temperatures (like from hot water) or certain medications are taken, the pH balance of your skin can be disrupted—the natural bacteria can shift so that good bacteria decreases and bad bacteria flourishes, and natural oils are removed from the skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. “One or more shifts in the skin along these lines can cause skin to weaken and become inflamed.”

If your skin is suddenly, well, angrier, than it usually is, it’s a good sign that it’s time to add a reparative product into your routine.

What’s in the Alpyn Beauty Ghostberry Repair Cream

This is where the Alpyn Beauty Ghostberry Repair Cream comes in, which board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsh, MD says is a great soothing option for those with sensitive skin and a compromised skin barrier.

Its star ingredient is ghostberry (also known as “snowberry”), which mainly grows out West and has long been used in herbal medicine as a topical treatment for burns, irritation, and rashes, says Dr. Hirsch. It’s so effective in healing these ailments that it’s gained a reputation as “nature’s Neosporin”—which should clue you in on just how great it can be for a skin barrier in need of repair.

Ghostberry’s soothing, restorative qualities are bolstered in the Cream by a five-ceramide complex, which helps to lock in moisture and strengthen your skin’s lipid barrier. Dermatologists often refer to ceramides (which occur naturally in the skin) as “the mortar that holds the bricks of your skin cells together,” meaning the more of them you’ve got, the better fortified your barrier will be.

The formula also contains a blend of eight peptides, which offer plumping and firming benefits, and Tasmanian pepper, which Dr. Hirsch loves for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Not only does the cream work wonders on run-of-the-mill compromised skin, but it’s also been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance for its ability to treat extremely sensitive complexions without irritation or toxicity.

What happened when I tried it

I started testing out the moisturizer after a particularly hectic trip that triggered a less-than-stellar reaction in my skin. Stress combined with dry airplane air is a surefire recipe for dullness and dehydration, which is exactly what I was dealing with when I got home. Truly, this product couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

The formula is thick, but has a whipped texture (sort of like Greek yogurt) that makes it super spreadable—it blends into the skin seamlessly without leaving behind the dreaded residue that typically comes along with thicker formulas. The only thing I didn’t love is that it comes in a jar, which tends to be less sanitary than pump-top or squeeze-tube packaging because it requires you to dip your fingers in to scoop out the product (always wash your hands before doing this to avoid spreading acne-causing bacteria to your face). Even so, I was willing to overlook the formula’s format thanks to the stellar results it delivered.

Almost immediately after application, the moisturizer made my post-flight skin irritation disappear. More impressive, though, was what came a few days later. My complexion had a noticeably healthier glow to it—which is typically something I struggle with given my skin’s tendency toward dehydration—and looked firmer than usual. The results were so impressive (and so obvious) that while I’d initially deemed it a nighttime moisturizer and relegated it to a life in the bathroom, I found myself reaching for it in the morning, too.

As a newfound Alpyn Beauty superfan, I’ll be stocking up on this moisturizer for the season ahead—just in time for the barrier disruption that inevitably comes along with cold, dry winter air.