Quality moisturizers can help soothe and repair dry, itchy, and irritated skin. Moisturizer is an essential piece of any skin care routine. It helps maintain your skin’s moisture barrier and protects your skin from environmental damage. If you’re experiencing dry or dull skin, you can benefit from a daily lightweight moisturizer that’s jam-packed with hydrating ingredients, like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.
Keep reading for the best moisturizers for dry skin and to learn how to pick a healthy moisturizer for you.
How we chose the best dry skin moisturizers
When you have dry skin, finding a moisturizer that has the right texture, won’t clog pores, and adds moisture to your skin is crucial. We selected the most highly recommended moisturizers for dry skin.
For each product, we considered:
- price point
- customer reviews
- any possibly harmful ingredients
Pricing guide
- $ = under $10
- $$ = $10–$25
- $$$ = over $25
Best budget-friendly face moisturizer
Andalou Naturals Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream
Price: $$
Key ingredients: vitamin C, sunflower oil, aloe vera
Size: 1.7 ounces
SPF: no
Certifications: non-GMO, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free
Who it’s best for: people looking for an effective cream at an affordable price
This night cream from Andalou Naturals focuses on renewing surface skin cells. It is designed to absorb easily into your skin and work overnight to revitalize your complexion. The company says the formula helps defend against UV damage, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging.
Reviewers say they saw an almost immediate difference in their hyperpigmentation and scarring. Some reviewers also say it has a slight candy-like smell, which might not be everyone’s preference.
Pros
- helps defend against UV damage, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging
- boosts collagen and elastin for an even skin tone
- aloe vera hydrates and protects skin’s moisture barrier
Cons
- some reviewers report burning sensation
- some reviewers dislike strong tangy scent
Best gentle moisturizer for dry skin
NIVEA Soft Moisturizing Creme
Price: $$ (pack of 3)
Key ingredients: jojoba oil, vitamin E, glycerin
Size: 6.8 ounces
SPF: no
Certifications: none
Who it’s best for: people with sensitive skin or rosacea
This NIVEA cream contains both vitamin E and jojoba oil. It is designed to absorb quickly into your skin and hydrate without being overly oily. It can be used on the face, hands, and body.
Reviewers say it works great for rosacea and that the product has a light and pleasant smell. Some reviewers complain that their order arrived broken or incomplete.
Pros
- glycerin works to bind moisture to the skin
- vitamin E and jojoba oil hydrate the skin
- for all skin types
Cons
- contains myristyl myristate, a comedogenic ingredient that could lead to breakouts
- some reviewers complain about sticky residue
Best moisturizer for sensitive skin
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
Price: $$$
Key ingredients: squalane, glycerin, glacial glycoprotein
Size: 1.7 ounces
SPF: no
Certifications: paraben-free, fragrance-free
Who it’s best for: people who live in cold, dry climates
This cream is formulated especially to withstand cold, dry climates. Its thick consistency is designed to be nourishing for severely dry skin. The company says the cream absorbs into skin easily with a lightweight texture.
Reviewers say the hydration lasts a good 24 hours, and it helps with the texture of their skin. Some say it can leave marks on their pillow because it’s on the thicker side.
Pros
- squalane helps strengthen skin barrier
- glycerin helps skin retain moisture
- hydration lasts up to 24 hours
Cons
- some reviewers find it to be too thick and heavy
- cheaper alternatives available
Best moisturizer for rough, cracked, and scaly skin
Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream
Price: $
Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, urea
Size: 16 ounces
SPF: no
Certifications: none
Who it’s best for: people with severe dry skin
This cream from Eucerin contains 5% urea, which helps restore and hydrate problem skin. An older 1996 studyTrusted Source found that moisturizers containing urea helped reduce participants’ skin water loss.
Some reviewers say this isn’t the formula that the company used to sell before, but they primarily think it’s still great for winter skin.
Pros
- formula gives immediate relief and delays the symptoms of very dry skin
- ceramides work to repair the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss
- suitable for mature-looking skin and conditions affecting the skin, such as xerosis, psoriasis, and diabetes
Cons
- not safe for people with a lanolin allergy
- thicker cream formula might be too much for people who prefer lightweight lotions
Best luxury cream
Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream
Price: $$$
Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin, thermal spring water
Size: 1.3 ounces
SPF: no
Certifications: paraben-free, animal derived ingredient-free
Who it’s best for: people looking for an option from a trusted, luxury beauty brand
This thick, creamy moisturizer is a popular French pharmacy beauty pick. Its soothing properties help restore and rebalance dry skin.
Some reviewers say the cream helped clear up their flaky skin and helped keep their skin soft year-round. Other reviewers find it too heavy and don’t love the product’s scent.
Pros
- prevents water evaporation from the skin by reinforcing cell cohesion
- smooths away dehydration lines
- alleviates signs of aging, dryness, and dehydration with the help of shea butter
Cons
- some reviewers find the cream to be too thick for their skin
- some reviewers say they saw an increase in breakouts
- contains fragrance
Best moisturizer for aging skin
St. Ives Renewing Collagen Elastin Moisturizer
Price: $
Key ingredients: collagen, elastin proteins, safflower seed oil
Size: 10 ounces
SPF: no
Certifications: cruelty-free, paraben-free, noncomedogenic
Who it’s best for: people looking for a product that combats both dryness and aging
Full of collagen, elastin proteins, and safflower seed oil, this St. Ives moisturizer says it softens and repairs dry skin. Its medium consistency is good for both day and night use. Collagen and elastin help skin stretch and snap back into place, helping to ease the signs of aging.
The company recently changed the formula, and many reviewers are disappointed in this new one. However, an overwhelming number of reviewers still agree that it’s great for dehydrated skin. Some even note that it can work for acne-prone skin thanks to the light formula.
Pros
- made with 100% natural moisturizers and safflower seed oil
- dermatologist tested and paraben-free
- infused with collagen and elastin proteins to hydrate the skin and promote a youthful glow
Cons
- contains preservatives, like phenoxyethanol
- contains fragrance
- some reviewers complain that the scent is too strong
Best natural moisturizer
Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
Price: $$
Key ingredients: pansy, beeswax, sunflower seed oil, chamomile flower extract, calendula flower extract
Size: 2.5 ounces
SPF: no
Certifications: cruelty-free, paraben-fee, fragrance-free
Who it’s best for: people looking for a natural option
You can use Weleda Skin Food anywhere on your body that needs extra attention. It’s formulated using plant extracts to heal and improve the appearance of dry, rough skin.
Reviewers love how incredibly thick the formula is, but some reviewers say the product’s smell is too strong.
Pro
- chamomile, calendula, and pansy work to soothe the skin and deliver moisture
- can double as a makeup primer
- cruelty-free and free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic preservatives, and synthetic fragrances
Cons
- some reviewers find the scent overwhelming
- some reviewers complain the natural oils left them looking shiny or greasy
- ointment texture hard to massage in
Moisturizing tips
Achieving healthy skin depends on more than just what moisturizer you choose. How you apply the moisturizer is also important. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your moisturizer:
- Apply moisturizer when your skin is still a little damp after you shower or wash your face.
- If you have sensitive skin, use moisturizers with soothing ingredients that are free of acids, fragrances, and dyes.
- Do a patch test before using a new product.
- Buy from a reputable brand you trust.
- Avoid very hot water for showering and washing your face.
- Stay hydrated by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
- Consider using a humidifier at night, or keep a small one on your desk during the day.
- Moisturize at least twice every day (and more often when your skin is especially dry).
- Add a protective facial serum under your moisturizer for added benefits.
- Mix an oil, like jojoba or rosehip oil, into your moisturizer if your skin is extremely parched. These may be too heavy to use all the time.