If you're wondering what might be a dupe for the Rhode Barrier Butter, we took a deep dive into its INCI list to find ingredient-based alternatives. After a detailed search, RoC Barrier Renew PM Moisturizer emerged as the closest functional match. This article documents that process and highlights why RoC’s formula stands out as a more accessible option for barrier support. Instead of relying on marketing claims, we took an ingredient-first approach. The goal was to find formulas that could offer similar skin barrier support using comparable components with hopefully a lower price tag.
Step 1: Identifying the Key Ingredients
Rhode's formula features a mix of ingredients that reinforce the skin barrier, hydrate deeply, and soothe irritation. After reviewing the full list, we pinpointed five ingredients that appeared to define the product’s purpose and performance:
- Ceramide NP - helps strengthen and restore the skin barrier.
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8 or Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10 - peptides that help calm and support sensitive skin.
- Polyglutamic Acid - a powerful humectant often used alongside or in place of hyaluronic acid.
- Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide - a hydrating mushroom extract with HA-like benefits.
- Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter - a rich emollient that helps retain moisture.
Step 2: Filtering the Database - Initial Round
We started with a strict filter requiring all five of these ingredients. Only one product met the criteria: the Rhode Barrier Repair Cream itself. This confirmed just how specific and uncommon that ingredient combination is.
Step 3: Relaxing the Criteria
To cast a wider net, we tried removing Tremella Polysaccharide—thinking other hydrators might serve a similar role. Still nothing. We then removed Polyglutamic Acid as well. Again, no matches beyond Rhode. Even when narrowing the focus to just Ceramide NP, one of those peptides, and Murumuru Butter, Rhode continued to be the only formula in our database that fit.
Step 4: Opening Up the Emollient Category
Murumuru Butter seemed to be a major limiting factor. So we replaced it in the search to allow for similar emollients that offer comparable texture and barrier benefits:
- Shorea (Sal) Butter
- Cupuaçu Butter
- Shea Butter
- Mango Butter
This shift finally revealed a few new options—barrier-focused creams with peptides, ceramides, and rich emollient bases. They’re not identical, but they follow the same functional blueprint.
Best Alternative: RoC Barrier Renew PM Moisturizer
After all that filtering, RoC Barrier Renew PM Moisturizer emerged as the most promising alternative. Just like Rhode it is marketed to be used at night. It includes several of the same key ingredients as Rhode’s formula: Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, and Shea Butter. It also contains glycerin, squalane, and butylene glycol—all excellent for hydration.
One standout feature is the inclusion of Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, which brings antioxidant and soothing benefits. This product leans nourishing but not overly heavy, making it a solid choice for nighttime use, especially for dry or compromised skin. At $24.99 for 74mL, it's a functional match at a similar list price if you buy the Rhode mini but because RoC is a mass drugstore brand, it's much more often discounted. Like right now ($12.49 on sale) via Ulta!
Just for Comparison: The Cream by Augustinus Bader
On the luxury end of the spectrum, The Cream by Augustinus Bader also includes Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, and Shea Butter—plus a long list of additional actives. While not an affordable alternative, it’s interesting to see some overlap in ingredients across very different price points.
How This Fits Into Our Approach at SKINSKOOL
While finding a true one-to-one match for the Rhode Barrier Repair Cream was difficult, this deep dive highlights another way we approach product comparison. At SKINSKOOL, our algorithm compares products using the full INCI list to identify ingredient-based matches. Explorations like this allow us to go even deeper, evaluating functional categories and ingredient intent to uncover alternative options that might not show up through automated matching alone. It's just one more way we help make sense of the skincare landscape.
