Since winter left my skin feeling a little worse for wear (okay, a lot worse for wear), I was on the lookout for a heavy-hitting moisturiser to quench my thirsty dry skin – and Drunk Elephant’s Bora Barrier Repair Cream couldn’t have landed at a better time.
I had really been enjoying using their Lala Retro Whipped Cream from this review post, but felt as though my skin was craving even more hydration , which Bora Barrier was only too happy to provide.
Originally launching in the UK at the start of February at Space NK, Sephora and Drunk Elephant, the rich cream rolled out to more retailers like Boots and Cult Beauty from March 1, and is a serious skincare game-changer for anyone with chronically dry skin, a more mature complexion or a compromised skin barrier from hammering chemical exfoliants or heavily fragranced products.
First and foremost, let’s talk about the packaging. True to Drunk Elephant’s vibrant millennial aesthetic, the Bora Barrier Cream comes in a sleek, Instagram-worthy container with a peachy pink top. The pump dispenser delivers an adorable and perfectly-portioned flower-shaped blob of moisturiser which ensures hygienic application and prevents any unnecessary wastage. I mean, it is £62 after all, so every last drop counts.
As for the formula, Bora Barrier boasts a pretty impressive lineup of ingredients, loaded with lipids, minerals, ceramides, and antioxidant compounds to deliver deep 24-hour moisture. The vegan formula is 100 per cent free of what the brand calls the ‘suspicious six’: essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS – aka, the root of almost every skin problem ever.
Instead, the reparative cream nourishes skin with glucosyl ceramides that help trigger the skin’s own production of naturally-occurring ceramides, skin-soothing beta-sitosterols that helps the skin drink up hyaluronic acid, and zinc and copper salt minerals to promote elasticity.
Upon application, the cream is incredibly thick and luxurious, yet still spreads evenly, only needing to use one pump to cover my whole face. The texture is so buttery without being heavy or greasy, and instead of sitting on the surface, effortlessly melts into the skin to leave it feeling intensely nourished with a post-facial style glow. 
Additionally, the Bora Barrier Cream is fragrance-free, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, and I actually find it to be so effective at delivering that daily dose of moisture that I only have to use it once a day. I find it a little too heavy to use in the morning under makeup, but after cleansing the day away and applying my go-to toners and serums come evening, the Bora Barrier has fast become a staple in my routine, working overnight so that I wake up feeling refreshed, plump and glowy. I also love mixing it with the A-Gloei Maretinol Oil, which is a great retinol for beginners.
Though I’ve only been trialling it for a relatively short time, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using Bora Barrier and really look forward to my nightly routine when I get to apply it. My skin feels quenched, with fewer dry patches on my nose and forehead in just a month, so I’m looking forward to seeing what results it will deliver after several months of daily use.
If you’re in search of a luxurious yet effective moisturiser that addresses dryness, dehydration, and dullness, then you’ve just found it. This overachieving cream is now a firm favourite in my skincare arsenal and fits seamlessly into my existing routine.
You can shop the Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Cream here.
