If your pouch keeps leaking, you're not alone, and you don't have to put up with it. Most leaks start where a flat wafer meets skin that isn't flat: a crease, a dip, a scar, or a stoma that sits low. Ostomy barrier rings and stoma paste are the two most common fixes, and they work in different ways. The short answer: a barrier ring is a soft, mouldable seal that fills uneven skin right around the stoma, while stoma paste is a caulk that plugs a small gap. Neither one is a glue.
Below: which one suits your leak, how to apply each, and where strips, powder and barrier wipes fit in. This is general information only. Follow the maker's instructions, and ask your NSWOC nurse (Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence) about anything clinical.
What is an ostomy barrier ring?
An ostomy barrier ring, also called a seal, is a flat, doughnut-shaped piece of soft skin barrier material, often about 5 cm (2") across. You stretch and shape it so it hugs the base of the stoma, then put your wafer on over it. Because it's mouldable, it fills creases and dips that a wafer alone can't reach, and it helps keep output from tracking under the wafer.
Why rings are a popular first choice:
- Shapeable. Most can be stretched or cut to fit, so they suit stomas that aren't round.
- Alcohol-free, so they don't sting irritated skin the way many pastes can.
- Durable. Rings tend to resist erosion from output better than paste, and many people find they no longer need paste once they use a ring.
- Different thicknesses. Slim rings (around 2.3 mm) keep a low profile; thicker ones (around 4.2 to 4.5 mm) fill deeper dips.
ConvaTec calls its version eakin Cohesive seals; they swell a little as they absorb moisture, which is normal. Coloplast's mouldable rings and Hollister's Adapt and CeraPlus rings (CeraPlus is infused with ceramide) do the same basic job.
Flat, mouldable seals (eakin Cohesive) that fill creases around the stoma
What stoma paste really does (it's a caulk, not a glue)
Stoma paste is a thick barrier paste in a tube. It fills a small gap or one low spot so the wafer sits on an even surface. Manufacturer guidance is blunt: paste is not an adhesive, and too much of it can interfere with a good seal. Think of the bead of caulk around a bathtub, not the glue behind the tiles.
- Most pastes contain alcohol, which can sting sore skin. Alcohol-free choices include Coloplast's Brava Alcohol Free Paste and Salts No Sting Stoma Paste.
- Strip paste, such as Brava Strip Paste, is a soft pre-formed strip you tear off and mould with damp fingers, handy for deeper folds and scars.
Stoma paste vs barrier ring: which problem each one solves
The quickest way to choose is to match the product to where you leak. Look at the back of the wafer when you take it off: the worn or stained path shows where output got under.
| Product | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier ring or seal | Leaks right at the stoma, uneven skin, watery output | Must sit snugly where skin meets stoma |
| Stoma paste | A slightly large wafer opening, one low spot, an irregular stoma | Use a thin bead; most contain alcohol |
| Elastic barrier strips | Edges that lift, roll or peel as you move | Won't fix a leak at the stoma |
| Stoma powder, then a barrier wipe | Weepy or raw skin under the wafer | Brush off extra powder; have sore skin checked |
| Convex ring | Flush or retracted stomas | Only on your nurse's advice |
Many people combine two, such as a ring at the stoma and strips at the edges. Layering three or four accessories usually means your basic fit needs a review.
How to use ostomy barrier rings, step by step
- Size the wafer first. Measure the stoma and cut the wafer opening just slightly larger, about 1/16" (1 to 2 mm), as Ostomy Canada advises. New stomas keep shrinking for up to about eight weeks after surgery, so re-measure often.
- Clean and dry. Wash the skin with warm water and pat it completely dry. Skip soaps or wipes that leave oils behind.
- Warm and unwrap the ring. Hold it between your hands for a moment so it softens, then peel off the liners on both sides.
- Stretch and shape. Ease the centre open so the inner edge will hug the base of the stoma, with no bare skin showing between them.
- Place it. Press the ring onto your skin around the stoma, or onto the sticky side of your wafer around the opening; either way works for most rings. Some rings can be stacked if a dip is deep, so check the instructions.
- Apply the wafer and hold. Put your wafer on as usual and keep a warm hand over it for about 30 seconds to help everything mould together.
- Remove gently. At your next change, peel the ring away with the wafer; an adhesive remover helps.
How to apply stoma paste (and how much to use)
Steps vary a little by brand, so check the instructions for your paste. This general method follows manufacturer guidance, such as Hollister's Adapt paste care tips:
- Peel the liner off your wafer and squeeze a thin bead of paste around the inner edge of the opening. You can let it sit while you take off your old pouch; some people find it works better after a short rest.
- Clean and dry your skin, as above.
- If there's one low spot near the stoma, add a small dab of paste there.
- Apply the wafer as usual. You may see the paste fill in around the stoma as you press. That's expected, and the guidance says it won't harm the stoma.
How much? A thin line, not a layer. Paste comes off with the pouch, and if a little clean residue stays, you can usually apply the new pouch over it.
Stoma paste to caulk small gaps (60 g tubes, including alcohol-free)
Convex rings for flush or retracted stomas (ask your nurse first)
If your stoma sits level with or below the skin, output can run sideways under the wafer. A convex ring's domed shape presses gently on the skin around the stoma, so it sits up a little and drains into the pouch. Examples include Hollister's CeraPlus Convex Barrier Rings and Coloplast's Brava Protective Ring Convex, which comes in several inner and outer sizes.
Convexity adds pressure, and choosing the right depth and firmness is a clinical decision. Please don't start it on your own; ask your NSWOC nurse whether it suits you.
Barrier rings and paste by brand: Hollister, ConvaTec, Coloplast and Salts
Rings and paste are accessories, so you can generally use them under any brand of pouch (ask your nurse if unsure). We're an independent store, not affiliated with any of these makers.
- Hollister: Adapt Flat Barrier Rings, CeraPlus Barrier Rings and CeraPlus Convex Barrier Rings, Adapt paste (60 g and 14 g tubes) and Adapt Stoma Powder.
- ConvaTec: eakin Cohesive Seals in small, large and Slims sizes, plus Stomahesive Paste and eakin Paste.
- Coloplast: Coloplast Mouldable Barrier Rings (4.2 mm thick), Coloplast Skin Barrier Rings, Brava Protective Ring Convex, Brava Alcohol Free Paste, Brava Strip Paste and Brava Elastic Barrier Strips.
- Salts: No Sting Stoma Paste, barrier film wipes and adhesive remover spray.
You can browse them all in our ostomy supplies collection.
Skin barrier wipes and adhesive removers
A skin barrier wipe leaves a thin, clear film that helps shield skin from output and adhesive. It's also the second half of the "powder, then wipe" method nurses call crusting: dust a thin layer of stoma powder on moist skin, brush off the extra, then dab a barrier wipe over it. Let the film dry before your wafer goes on, and choose a no-sting wipe if your skin is tender.
Adhesive removers, as sprays or wipes, loosen the wafer so it lifts off without tugging, which spares the skin from repeated pulling.
Skin barrier wipes to protect the skin under your wafer
When leaks mean you need a refit from your NSWOC nurse
Accessories can't fix a pouching system that no longer fits your body, and Ostomy Canada is clear that constant leaking shouldn't be accepted as part of life with an ostomy. See your NSWOC nurse or ostomy clinic if:
- you leak every day or two, even with a ring or paste;
- the skin under the wafer stays red, raw or itchy, or bleeds;
- your stoma has changed size or shape, or a new bulge or crease has appeared;
- your weight has changed since your last fitting.
NSWOC nurses aren't tied to any brand, so they look at your whole system. If you don't have one, the NSWOC Canada website can help you find one, and Ostomy Canada's guide to ostomy leaks is a good read in the meantime.
Ostomy barrier rings and stoma paste: your questions answered
Stoma paste vs barrier ring: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Rings are easier for many people to apply and remove, and they don't sting, so they're a common starting point. Paste suits a small, specific gap or an irregular stoma. Some people use both; your NSWOC nurse can help you decide.
What's the difference between stoma paste and powder?
Paste fills gaps so the wafer sits flat. Powder absorbs moisture from weepy skin so the wafer can stick. Powder isn't a filler, and paste won't dry wet skin. Sore or weepy skin should be checked by your nurse too, so the cause gets treated and not just covered.
What are skin barrier wipes used for?
They leave a protective film on the skin under the wafer that helps shield it from output and adhesive, and they seal stoma powder in place. Let the film dry before applying your wafer.
Where can I buy ostomy barrier rings near me in Canada?
You can order rings, seals, paste and wipes online from us. Orders are processed in 1 to 2 business days, and delivery typically takes 2 to 7 business days across Canada. Boxes are plain and unmarked, and tracking is emailed to you. Opened ostomy products can't be returned, so double-check the size before you open a box. Full details are on our shipping and returns page.
The bottom line
Match the fix to the leak: a ring or seal for creases, a thin bead of paste for a small gap, strips for lifting edges, and powder plus a barrier wipe for moist skin. Save convexity for when your nurse recommends it. If you're helping a parent manage at home, our caregiver's supplies checklist covers the rest of the kit.
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