Why You Should Use an Art Barrier Cream

Using an art barrier cream can be a wonderful alternative to wearing latex gloves when it comes to protecting yourself from potentially harmful art mediums. Wearing latex gloves while you're making art can be a hassle and sometimes just downright uncomfortable. Some artists don't like having to restrict their use of certain art mediums to protect their health, as it can hinder their personal expression or limit what they can create.

That’s why we think the best solution is using art barrier cream! Barrier cream is the easiest, most convenient, and safest way to continue to use your pastels and oils. It protects you and it also makes it possible to work with a wider array of art supplies!

Where Should You Apply an Art Barrier Cream?

Barrier cream is a heavy lotion that should be applied to your hands and wrists before working with any pastels or oil paints. Artist hand creams, or barrier creams, serve as a protective layer or a “second skin” for your hands while you’re working with mediums like pastels and oil paints. You should re-apply throughout the day, especially after washing your hands.

We recommend using Winsor and Newton Artguard Barrier Cream, which is available on our products page! This cream has a lightweight, non-greasy formula, and absorbs into your skin like a moisturizer. It won’t feel uncomfortable or sticky on your hands while you work. And at the end of the day, simply wash the cream off with soap and water. Using Artguard Barrier Cream is an easy and comfortable way to protect your hands and your health.

What Does Art Barrier Cream Protect Against?

Art barrier creams protect your skin against harmful toxins in art mediums in the same way sunscreen protects your skin against the absorption of harmful ultra-violet rays. They simply create a physical barrier to keep hazards away from the surface of your skin.

No hobby comes without hazards, and art is no exception to that rule. Unfortunately, these risks are not widely known in the art community. This puts artists at risk of hurting themselves without even knowing it. Certain colors of pastels and oil paints are made with hazardous elements like cobalt, cadmium, and magnesium. If these toxins get absorbed into your skin, they can have a detrimental effect on your health. Protection in the form of artist hand cream works well as a barrier for your hands and skin. So keep your art barrier cream close and apply it often as you continue to create incredible works of art!