It’s Official: First Aid Ultra Repair Cream Is the Holy Grail for My Sensitive Skin

Dealing with sensitive skin can feel like a full-time job. Take it from me: In a single day’s work, I might manage a breakout, tend to dryness, and carefully scrutinize every skin-care label I come across. I’ve spent years on a quest to find a product that actually works for my skin—so when I discovered First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, I knew I’d finally found my holy grail.

First Aid Beauty Special Edition 14oz Ultra Repair Cream Duo — $63.00

$140 when purchased separately, now $63

Pros:

• Doesn’t irritate sensitive skin
• Improves skin hydration
• Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients
• Strengthens skin barrier

Cons:

• Can be expensive when not on sale

Let’s rewind for a second: I went to school in Richmond, Virginia, and after a long stint of trial and error to find products that didn’t cause irritation or redness, my skin learned to love the warm, humid weather. Despite that, I relocated to Boston a few summers ago. The shock of the cooler climate didn’t register at first, but as the season shifted to fall, 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-duty moisturizer that could keep my face hydrated without causing breakouts. A friend with similarly sensitive skin recommended the Ultra Repair Cream, and after trying it, I was hooked. It has now gotten me through two cold-weather seasons without the aggravation I experienced that first fall—and you can snag two tubs of it right now for $63, instead of $140 when purchased separately.

Turns out, I’m not alone—many people with sensitive skin notice irritation and dryness when the weather changes. “Skin loses a lot of moisture into the environment when the air is less humid, such as during the transition from summer to fall or winter,” board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD says.

The key to avoiding skin irritation during seasonal changes, according to Dr. Nazarian? Investing in a quality moisturizer that will protect your skin barrier. “Hydrated skin is healthy skin, meaning that it can protect you from the environment better. Your skin is your first line of defense against everything on the outside,” she says.

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

During the summer, I apply this cream before bed to keep my skin’s glow going. But as soon as that first cool breeze hits, I add it to my morning routine, too. I love its refreshing, cooling effect—it’s almost like I can feel it hydrating my skin in real time. And Dr. Nazarian says there’s no such thing as over-moisturizing, so I often reach for my tub of Ultra Repair Cream for a midday pick-me-up.

Managing sensitive skin can feel like an always-on gig, 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 facing changing forecasts or just trying to keep your skin hydrated, it could be yours, too.