An article includes a ceramic-based substrate and a barrier layer on the ceramic-based substrate. The barrier layer includes a matrix phase and gettering particles in the matrix phase. The gettering particles with an aspect ratio greater than one are aligned such that a maximum dimension of the gettering particles extends along an axis that is generally parallel to the substrate. The barrier layer includes a dispersion of diffusive particles in the matrix phase. A composite material and a method of applying a barrier layer to a substrate are also disclosed.