
Barrier Balance
Fast-absorbing daily hydration powered by Aquaxyl™, Betaine and Sodium Hyaluronate. For skin that needs to breathe and hold.
Deep comfort hydration for skin that runs dry, tight or reactive — rich enough to stay comfortable through wind and cold.
Eleven selected actives, one cream.
A rich cream that melts in and stays put — deep comfort without the weight of an occlusive balm.

A rich cream for skin that runs dry, tight or reactive. A lipid system of shea butter, cocoa butter and Olivem® 1000 sits alongside Pentavitin®, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — hydration that keeps working after you’ve applied it, with enough richness to stay comfortable through wind and cold.
Eleven selected actives, one cream.
Powered by Pentavitin®, Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid, with D-Panthenol, Centella Asiatica, Shea & Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera Extract, Allantoin, Olivem® 1000 and Amvifeel® 1101.
Dry, very dry and sensitive skin
Hydration that binds to skin rather than washing off.
Most humectants sit on the surface and wash away. Pentavitin® binds chemically to free lysine groups in the skin’s keratin, forming a moisture reservoir that’s removed only as skin naturally renews itself. Supplier testing shows hydration sustained for up to 72 hours after a single application — against roughly 4 to 24 hours for hyaluronic acid, depending on formulation.
Why that matters here. A New Zealand summer day means saltwater, wind, showers and reapplication. Hydration that rinses off is hydration you’ve lost by lunchtime.
Manufacturer data. The 72-hour figure describes the ingredient, not our finished product — that requires product-level testing, which is underway.
One of the most studied ingredients in skincare, and the best-evidenced in this formula. It works by supporting the skin’s own production of barrier lipids — in keratinocyte research, topical niacinamide increased ceramide synthesis several times over alongside free fatty acid and cholesterol production, and reduced transepidermal water loss in dry skin.
We’ll publish our exact concentration alongside our testing results.
A complete barrier formula. Every active chosen for the demands Southern Hemisphere skin faces year-round.
Binds chemically to keratin rather than sitting on the surface, so it isn't simply washed away. Supplier testing shows hydration sustained up to 72 hours after one application.
One of the most studied ingredients in skincare. Supports the skin's own production of barrier lipids and has been shown to reduce transepidermal water loss in dry skin.
A skin-identical humectant that draws water into the upper layers of skin and helps hold it there. Visible plumping and comfort from first use.
Deeply moisturising, and long used to help soothe the look of dryness and irritation.
A traditional botanical with genuine modern research behind it. Helps visibly soothe redness and supports comfort in skin that's been exposed to sun or wind.
A rich lipid pairing that helps limit moisture loss and gives Resilience its texture. This is what the cream feels like, and why.
A widely recognised extract known for soothing and hydrating properties. Helps calm the appearance of irritation.
A well-studied conditioning agent that helps support the appearance of smooth, comfortable skin.
A plant-derived emulsifier structurally similar to skin's own lipids. It's why the cream absorbs rather than sitting on top.
A texture ingredient. It doesn't treat anything. It makes the cream feel good enough that you'll use it daily — which is the part that actually determines whether skincare works.
New Zealand sits under some of the harshest UV on earth — NIWA measures peak summer intensity around 40% higher than at comparable Northern latitudes. Both formulas are built for that brief.
−36.85° Auckland, NZCleanse your skin thoroughly and pat dry.
Apply to slightly damp skin for better absorption.
Dispense a pearl-sized amount and warm between your fingertips.
Press gently into face and neck with light upward movements rather than rubbing.
Use morning and night. Always follow with SPF during the day.
Especially useful in the evening through the cooler months. For a layered routine, apply Barrier Balance first, then Resilience — lightweight first, rich second.
We publish every ingredient, in order of concentration. Precision formulation has nothing to hide.
Aqua (Water), Disodium EDTA, Ceteareth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Saccharide Isomerate (and) Aqua (and) Citric Acid (and) Sodium Citrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (and) Decyl Glucoside (and) Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (and) Phytosterols, Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Isoamyl Laurate, Decyl Oleate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Fragrance.
Storage & Use — Store below 30°C. For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Patch test recommended prior to use, especially for sensitive or reactive skin. If irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately and consult a physician.
Pair with Barrier Balance for a complete, layered barrier care routine.

Fast-absorbing daily hydration powered by Aquaxyl™, Betaine and Sodium Hyaluronate. For skin that needs to breathe and hold.
Barrier Resilience is formulated for dry, very dry, sensitive, and barrier-compromised skin. Its richer texture provides deeper occlusive support — ideal for skin that needs consistent comfort, particularly during winter months or in harsh climates.
Pentavitin® (Saccharide Isomerate) is a biomimetic ingredient that mirrors the skin's own natural moisturising factors. It binds directly to the skin for up to 72 hours, continuously releasing hydration — making it one of the most effective long-duration moisturising actives available.
Barrier Resilience is a richer, more occlusive cream with deeper comfort support — better suited for very dry or sensitive skin, cold weather, or for night-time use. Barrier Balance is the lighter daily option. They work well together: Balance in the morning, Resilience at night.
Yes — they're designed to work together. Apply Barrier Balance first as your base hydration layer, allow it to absorb, then layer Barrier Resilience on top for added richness and barrier support. This is our recommended ritual for very dry or reactive skin.
We ship within New Zealand only. Standard delivery is $8 NZD flat rate, or free on orders over $85. Estimated delivery is 3–7 business days. Orders are dispatched within 1–2 business days of payment confirmation.
If you're not satisfied, contact us at hello@sootheka.com within 14 days of receiving your order. We'll arrange a replacement, store credit, or refund. For damaged or incorrect items, reach out within 7 days with your order number and a photo — we'll sort it at no cost to you.
Join the waitlist for first access at launch — and for the things we publish along the way, including our testing results when they arrive.