The 22 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Glowy, plump, hydrated skin is just a jar away.
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At this point, we’ve established that everyone needs a moisturizer in their daily skin care routine, right? However, dry skin needs a little more love in the hydration department to help combat things like redness, flakes, eczema, and all-around discomfort. (You know that dry, tight feeling that happens when you skip your moisturizer or use the wrong one? That's what we don't want.)
“People with dry skin are either deficient in making the necessary lipids to maintain skin moisture, or they are excessively getting rid of moisture that their skin is producing,” explains New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal. “It is for this reason I like to determine whether someone makes less lipids at baseline or if they are excessively drying out their skin with actives.” In other words, you may be drying out your skin with other products. “If you are overusing actives such as AHAs, BHAs, retinoids, retinols, then you need to moisturize on top of your actives, especially if you are using it for anti-aging purposes,” says Dr. Lal.
So then what should you look for in a dry-skin moisturizer? “If you have inherently dry skin then it’s important to find a moisturizer that is going to replenish your skin with ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, petrolatum, and cholesterol,” explains the derm. Luckily, there are a ton of brilliant moisturizers, creams, and gels specifically formulated to soothe, rehydrate, and relieve dryness. We rounded up 22 of the very best moisturizers that will help restore skin’s moisture barrier and give off a healthy, youthful glow—whether you suffer from dryness seasonally or 365 days a year.
EADEM Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer with Ceramides + Peptides
The texture literally feels like, yes, a cloud. But what's inside is just as good: Packed with ceramides, peptides, and niacinamide, this moisturizer helps restore the skin barrier, and is formulated for skin of color, though it works well with all skin types and tones.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
Dr. Lal loves this rich formula for sensitive skin and beyond. "This is a great value product that is thick and great for all skin types," says the derm.
The ingredients in Instant Angel read like a who's who of skincare must-haves: ceramide NG, glycerin, urea, squalane, sodium PCA...the list goes on. Each is there for a reason, but the overall effect is ultra-moisturizing and repairing, without feeling heavy or cloying.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream Fragrance-Free
Cetaphil is synonymous with great, simple skincare (at an accessible price point), and this moisturizer is no exception. With hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamins B5 and E, it helps restore hydration for up to 48 hours, while still being non-comedogenic.
Everything in this rich face cream—from the shea and cocoa seed butters to the hyaluronic acid—is intended to help skin maintain high moisture levels. As a pleasant bonus, it also helps improve skin tone and texture too.
Nutrient-rich purple rice helps protect and nourish skin to give you skin so dewy, you won't even be tempted to use an Instagram filter.
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides
If the pleasantly whipped texture doesn’t have you at hello, the triple-threat of ceramides, sodium hyaluronate (a super-hydrating cousin of hyaluronic acid), and the brand’s signature blend of six rare African oils will seal the deal.
Grab a jar while it's still in stock, and you'll understand that the hype around this aloe-infused "face jelly" is merited. It's amazing for combination skin, aka when your face ranges from mega-oily to super dry.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
If bouncy, plump skin that won’t break the bank is the question, this hyaluronic acid-infused gel cream is the answer.
Those omega fatty acids we’re always trying to add into our diets? They’re great for our skin too, and this moisturizer is packed with them, along with squalane and hyaluronic acid.
Infused with ingredients like squalane and vitamin E, it hydrates just as well as the pricier creams, all for less than $20.
Made with ultra-hydrating Indian Senna Seed and calming blue tansy, this clean formula is as thick and rich as they come.
TULA Skincare 24/7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream
Probiotics in this cushiony cream help lock in moisture on skin's outer barrier. It's great if you have acne-prone skin.
This derm-approved cream is a fail-safe option for anyone whose skin is both dry and sensitive. "This product has three ceramides and hyaluronic acid," says Dr. Lal, who adds that "It’s great for the face and body."
Celeb fans swear by Augustinus Bader’s original face cream for its stem-cell powered anti-aging technology. This pumped-up version has all that, plus extra moisturizing benefits.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Face Moisturizer
Not only does it refresh skin on contact, but thanks to magic (or science), it helps skin replenish its own hydration levels. Mind blown.
As the name suggests, this formula is ultra-thick and as rich as creams come. Plus, it boasts over 40 all-natural ingredients.
As the name suggests, this formula is ultra-thick and as rich as creams come. Plus, it boasts over 40 all-natural ingredients.
LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer
Talk about a healthy glow: This lightweight gel’s key moisturizing ingredient is derived from green vegetables. Your dry skin will quite literally drink it up.
Rabid fans don't mind saving up for this pricey cream for a reason: It works. Plus, the formula is so rich that a small dab is all you need.
