If You Have a Damaged Skin Barrier, This Scandinavian Skincare Secret Can Help

Redness, dryness, and inflammation are all signs of a damaged skin barrier. For context, the skin barrier is, well, pretty much what it sounds like. It's the top layer of the skin that keeps all the good stuff in (like moisture) and all the bad stuff out (like environmental aggressors). When it's compromised, it often does the reverse, leading to less-than-ideal skin symptoms that leave many of us desperate for a solution. 

Some of the most common solutions include laying off harsh active ingredients like retinol or exfoliating acids, incorporating omega fatty acids and ceramides into your routine, and slugging to lock in moisture. All of these are tried and true, but what if I told you there's another skincare ingredient out there that continually supports the skin barrier because it's naturally rich in antioxidants (vitamin C especially) and even has anti-inflammatory properties? I'm talking about cloudberry, a plant that's native to northern regions, including Scandinavia. 

What Is Cloudberry?

Lauren Penzi, MD, is a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. "Cloudberry (aka Rubus chamaemorus) is a golden-yellow berry (when ripe) that is native to cold temperate regions like Scandinavia. The fruit also goes by other names including Nordic berry, bakeapple, and averin. It is a member of the rose family." 

Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, is a dermatologist at Laser Skin Surgery Center in New York. She seconds this, saying that it grows stateside too, albeit in specific areas. "It grows wild in some parts of the northern U.S., including Alaska, Minnesota, and New Hampshire," she says. 

How Does Cloudberry Benefit the Skin?

Brendan Camp, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. He says cloudberry is an impressive skincare ingredient because of its antioxidant content. "Rich in antioxidants, like vitamins A, C, and E, cloudberry helps protect skin from the oxidative stress of free radicals, which can contribute to premature aging," he says. In other words, it staves off the effects of those pesky environmental aggressors I mentioned earlier. 

Along with vitamins A, C, and E, Murphy-Rose says cloudberry contains high polyphenol and carotenoid content, two other plant compounds that offer antioxidant properties. That means you get some brightening benefits out of the ingredient too. "In addition to its potent antioxidant properties, vitamin C brightens skin to improve the complexion," she says. Penzi agrees, adding that it can inhibit melanin production to combat hyperpigmentation. 

Not only that, but Penzi says cloudberry can also stimulate collagen and thus "contribute to firmness and elasticity of skin" while "diminishing fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of photo-aging." In other words, it's inherently anti-aging as well as brightening and barrier-strengthening. 

Not to sound like a game-show host of yesteryear, but that's not all! Believe it or not, there's yet another benefit of cloudberry. It's anti-inflammatory thanks to its flavonoid content. (Flavonoids are phytochemical compounds). "This helps to soothe and calm irritated skin (eczema-prone, rosacea-prone, inflammatory acne, etc.)," Penzi says. "Additionally, they are rich in omega fatty acids that help to strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture." 

So, yeah, it almost sounds too good to be true, but it's not. Cloudberry can brighten, soothe, protect, and strengthen the skin barrier all in one go. No wonder it's been trending lately. 

Are There Any Drawbacks or Downsides to Cloudberry?

"As with many natural ingredients, people with sensitive skin can potentially experience irritation in the form of redness, itching, etc., so it's advisable to do an at-home patch test first and/or start with a small amount of product and monitor your skin's reaction," Penzi says.

Otherwise, all three dermatologists agree that it's generally well-tolerated by all skin types. "It is suited for all skin types but especially helpful for those with dry skin due to its hydrating properties, aging/mature skin due to collagen stimulation, dull/uneven skin tone due to pigment-fighting properties, and sensitive skin due to anti-inflammatory properties," Penzi says. 

The only time you should be cautious when using this ingredient is if you have a berry allergy. "People with known berry allergies may want to exercise caution when using products with berry-based ingredients," Camp says. "Whenever using new skincare products, consider doing a patch test first." 

10 of the Best Skincare Products With Cloudberry