Abstract: A barrier cream consisting essentially of at least one active ingredient chosen from the alkali metal salts of phenols, dispersed in a substantially anhydrous state in a base medium comprising a polyethylene glycol which has been at least partially etherified to reduce the free hydroxyl group content thereof. These creams are simple to prepare, effective for a reasonable period of time and do not produce adverse skin reaction, and are simple both to apply and to remove. They afford protection against chemical warfare agents of both the V and G types, and against mustard gas (H or HD).