A topical skin barrier for protecting and promoting healing of skin, and for providing comfort to a patient, comprises a semi-solid hydrocarbon, a water-absorbing compound, and a pain relief agent. The topical skin barrier effectively adheres to skin, affords protection from moisture and waste, provides transparency in use, and is anhydrous and therefore is preservative-free. Methods of in vitro evaluation are for (i) a composition's protection from moisture and waste, and (ii) a composition's adhesion to skin.
