Moisturizer for dry skin is your ticket to a hydrated, glowing complexion! This exciting guide dives into the 11 best options, recommended by skincare experts and tested by our beauty editors. Say goodbye to flaky, parched skin, and hello to your most radiant self. It’s time to elevate your skincare routine.
Skincare experts weigh in on these hydration heavy-hitters from Olay, Cetaphil, CeraVe, and more.
Why Is Hydration the Key to Gorgeous Skin?
Dry skin can be a real pain, whether it’s on your face or body. It often means your skin’s barrier is compromised, making already-irritated skin feel itchy, tight, and prone to infection. That’s why skin hydration is so important.
“Think of moisturizers as a shield: You use moisturizers to lock in active ingredients and block harmful aggressors out,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatologic surgery at Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan. “Moisturizers help to reinforce the skin barrier, making it stronger and less vulnerable,” she says.
We have tested and curated a list of the 11 best moisturizers for dry skin, based on expert recommendations and thousands of positive online reviews. These products are designed to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, and you’ll find options for various skin types and concerns.
Top 11 Moisturizers for Dry Skin
1. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
Our top pick for moisturizers for dry skin, this silky-smooth cream increases skin hydration by 46.5% over 6 hours. Testers loved its non-greasy texture and how it left their skin feeling hydrated without feeling heavy or sticky. Although pricey, it’s perfect for use under SPF or makeup.
2. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin
This affordable drugstore pick tied for first place as the most moisturizing face moisturizer, increasing skin hydration by 48.1%. Testers loved its quick absorption and long-lasting hydration, making it a top choice for those looking for an effective moisturizer for dry skin without breaking the bank.
3. RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Anti-Aging Cream
Best for Aging Skin
Packed with retinol, this face cream made skin look 32% smoother and more radiant after just one week of use. Fine lines faded after four weeks, and even deeper wrinkles and dark spots lessened after eight weeks. It deeply hydrates, leaving skin refreshed and moisturized for 24 hours.
4. Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
Best for Sensitive Skin
Formulated with licorice extract and allantoin, this calming facial lotion helps repair the skin’s barrier while soothing redness. It’s perfect for those with chronic skin conditions like rosacea and has been recommended by Dr. Engelman.
5. Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Unscented Body Lotion
Best Body Lotion
In Lab tests, this top-scoring body moisturizer hydrated skin by 60%, keeping it moisturized all day. The scent-free lotion was a tester favorite, formulated with super-hydrating petrolatum that won’t leave skin feeling greasy or tacky.
6. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer
Best Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin
This face moisturizer has proven hydration benefits. Our lab measured 10,300 data points, finding this budget-friendly cream moisturizes 400% better than a cream nearly 18 times its price. It keeps skin hydrated for 24 hours and boosts hydration by 50% on average, thanks to ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
Testers preferred it 80% of the time over more expensive creams, praising its richness without feeling heavy or greasy. However, its floral, fruity scent may not suit those sensitive to fragrances.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, amino-peptide complex
Skin type: Dry, aging
7. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Face Gel Moisturizer
Best Face Moisturizer for Dry, Acne-Prone Skin
A past GH Beauty Award winner, this refreshing Neutrogena gel is perfect for oily, acne-prone skin. It’s water-light yet seriously hydrates dry skin, thanks to glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The oil-free formula provides instant moisture, with results lasting 12 hours.
Consumers adore it: With over 79,000 reviews on Amazon, one reviewer says, “I went from very dry, flaky, angry skin to soft and supple in about one week.” However, it may not suit extremely dry or compromised skin.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Skin type: Normal, oily, dry
8. Curél Ultra Healing Lotion
Best Multipurpose Moisturizer for Dry Skin
A GH Beauty Lab gold standard, Curél’s fast-absorbing formula leaves skin looking and feeling moisturized. It boosted hydration by 56% over 6 hours in tests and scored perfectly for easy spreading. Testers appreciated its non-tacky feel, although it scored below average for making skin feel soft. Its budget-friendly price makes it suitable for a wide range of uses.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter, oatmeal extract
Skin type: Extra dry
9. Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
Dermatologist-tested and free of dyes and fragrance, this cream is ideal for super sensitive, dry skin. Though we haven’t tested its claims in the Beauty Lab, it boasts over 28,000 five-star Amazon reviews. Users with eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea swear by this rich cream to alleviate their symptoms.
Key ingredients: Petrolatum
Skin type: Dry, irritated, sensitive, eczema-prone
10. No7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel Cream
Best Face Moisturizer for Dry, Combination Skin
Suitable for dry skin, this lightweight gel offers nourishment and hydration for up to 72 hours. It instantly absorbs and hydrates, leaving skin glowing. Non-sticky and suitable for sensitive skin, it’s perfect for addressing dry patches without adding to oiliness.
Reviewers rave about its lasting hydration, though its fragrance may not suit those sensitive to scented products.
Key ingredients: Glycerin, dimethicone, vitamins E + C
Skin type: Dry, combination, sensitive
11. Curél Skincare Dry Skin Hydra Silk Moisturizer
Best Lightweight Body Moisturizer for Dry Skin
If you’re seeking instant and long-lasting relief for dry skin, this lotion is perfect for you. A clinical study revealed a significant increase in hydration up to 24 hours after application compared to untreated skin. Our Beauty Lab chemists were impressed by the silky, lightweight moisturizer’s quick absorption into the skin.
Packed with an advanced ceramide complex and aloe water, this moisturizer soothes and repairs the skin, while orange peel oil (instead of added fragrances) provides subtle citrus notes. Our evaluations confirmed that over 94% of testers reported the formula soothed their skin, leaving it feeling healthier and looking more radiant.
Key ingredients: Ceramide complex, aloe water
Skin type: Dry, extra dry
That’s it, beauty buffs! It’s time to say goodbye to dry, flaky skin and say hello to a world of hydration with these fantastic moisturizers for dry skin. Remember, it’s not just about looking fabulous (though that’s a major perk!). Using a moisturizer for dry skin is also about keeping your skin healthy, vibrant, and protected.
If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect moisturizer for dry skin, your quest ends here! Each of the 11 products we’ve listed is power-packed with ingredients to restore your skin’s hydration levels. We are so excited for you to start your new skin hydration journey with one of these amazing moisturizers for dry skin.
Don’t wait, my fellow skincare enthusiasts! Your dry skin deserves TLC and what better way to show some love than to nourish it with one of these superstar moisturizers for dry skin? Imagine waking up each day to soft, supple, and, most importantly, hydrated skin. That’s the power of using the right moisturizer for dry skin!
No matter what your budget or preferences, there’s a moisturizer for dry skin on this list that’s perfect for you. Whether you go for the ultra-luxe Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream or the budget-friendly yet effective CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin, you’re making a step towards healthier, happier skin!
What are you waiting for? Grab your moisturizer for dry skin today and step into a world of hydration, softness, and skin that feels as good as it looks. Trust us, your skin will thank you! 🌟🌟🌟
