Dry skin can be the most annoying, uncomfortable, and even painful when it comes to skin problems, whether on your face or your body. When your skin is extremely dry, your skin’s barrier has likely been weakened, making irritated skin irritable, tight, and prone to infection. That is why skin hydration is critical.
“Think of moisturizers as a shield: You use moisturizers to lock in active ingredients while blocking harmful aggressors out,” explains 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 explains.
Our top picks:
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BEST LIGHTWEIGHT BODY MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKIN
Curél Skincare Dry Skin Hydra Silk Moisturizer
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY, ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Face Gel Moisturizer
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY, IRRITATED SKIN
Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKIN
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY, AGING SKIN
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Anti-Aging Cream
The Home Accessories Institute Beauty Lab examined hundreds of body lotions and face moisturizers to determine the best moisturizers for dry skin, combing through nearly 10,000 data points to find the ones proven to hydrate skin. We’ve also included selections backed by our Home Accessories Seal and popular products that have received thousands of positive online reviews and have been evaluated by our beauty editors and product experts.
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- Key ingredients : Ceramides, shea butter, oatmeal extract.
- Skin type : Extra dry.
Curél’s quick-absorbing product has been a HA Beauty Lab gold standard for many years, leaving skin looking and feeling hydrated. In our tests, we increased skin hydration by 56% over 6 hours and received a perfect grade for distributing readily on the skin. Testers liked that it didn’t leave their skin feeling tacky, yet it received a lower-than-average rating for making it feel soft. We appreciate its low cost and the fact that it can be used on everything from dry hands to scaly elbows.
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BEST LIGHTWEIGHT BODY MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKIN
Curél Skincare Dry Skin Hydra Silk Moisturizer
NOW 16% OFF
- Key ingredients :Ceramide complex, aloe water.
- Skin type : Dry, extra dry.
This is the lotion to use if you want immediate, long-lasting dryness alleviation. Clinical research found that it dramatically enhanced hydration up to 24 hours after application compared to untreated skin, and our Beauty Lab chemists were blown away by how rapidly the silky, lightweight moisturizer absorbed into the skin.
This moisturizer contains a superior ceramide complex and aloe water to soothe and restore skin and orange peel oil (no scents added) for delicate citrus undertones. Our analyses verified that the solution calmed 94% of the testers’ skin, leaving it feeling healthier and more luminous.
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MOST POPULAR MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKIN ON AMAZON
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
NOW 18% OFF
- Key ingredients: Petrolatum.
- Skin type : Dry, irritated, sensitive, eczema-prone.
This dermatologist-tested cream contains no dyes or scents, making it excellent for those with extremely sensitive, dry skin. We have yet to try these claims in the Beauty Lab, but reviewers love this moisturizing cream (more than 28,000 five-star ratings on Amazon).
Reviewers suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea agree that this rich cream relieves their ailments. “I have never had any irritation from this lotion, and it has gone a long way toward healing my rashes and open wounds,” one user adds. Remember that because there are no scents or disguising aromas, each batch may have a slightly distinct aroma.
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY, ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Face Gel Moisturizer
NOW 38% OFF
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin.
- Skin type : Normal, oily, dry.
This delightful Neutrogena gel is water-light, but quenches dry skin thanks to glycerin and hyaluronic acid. It is a former HA Beauty Award winner and our recommendation for the finest overall moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin. The oil-free formulation instantly moisturizes, with results lasting 12 hours, according to evaluations.
It has over 79,000 ratings on Amazon, with one customer saying, “I went from very dry, flaky, angry skin to soft and supple in about one week.” “I immediately noticed a difference,” however, it may not be rich enough for exceptionally dry or damaged skin.
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY, IRRITATED SKIN
Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
NOW 30% OFF
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, licorice extract, allantoin, caffeine.
- Skin type : Dry, redness-prone, sensitive.
This soothing face lotion is ideal for those who suffer from chronic skin issues. The fragrance-free solution, developed and evaluated by specialists, is made with liquorice extract and allantoin to help rebuild the skin’s barrier while calming and soothing redness. Even though we have yet to investigate its claims or performance in the lab, Dr. Engelman recommends it to patients with persistent skin diseases like rosacea.
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKIN
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer
NOW 8% OFF
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, amino-peptide complex.
- Skin type : Dry, aging.
This face moisturizer has been shown to hydrate. We used 10,300 Lab measurements to discover that this low-cost face cream hydrates 400% better than a cream nearly 18 times its price. Thanks to powerful hydration, including niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it kept skin hydrated for 24 hours and increased hydration by 50% on average.
Eighty per cent of the time, testers preferred it to more expensive creams, describing it as “rich” without being heavy or greasy. At the same time, its floral, fruity scent may not be suitable for persons sensitive to fragranced products.
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BEST FACE MOISTURIZER FOR DRY, AGING SKIN
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Anti-Aging Cream
NOW 30% OFF
- Key ingredients: Retinol, hylauronic acid.
- Skin type : Dry, aging.
Regarding anti-ageing face creams, retinol is the gold standard, and our data analysis proved that this retinol-packed face cream made skin seem 32% smoother and more radiant after just one week of use. After four weeks, fine lines vanished, and after eight weeks, deeper wrinkles and dark patches faded. It hydrates profoundly while doing so, with ultra-hydrating action that leaves skin instantly rejuvenated and hydrated for 24 hours after use.
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BEST FOR DRY, SENSITIVE SKIN
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin
NOW 30% OFF
- Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid.
- Skin type : Normal, dry, oily.
In recent Lab tests, this budget drugstore option from cult-favourite brand CeraVe tied for first place as the most hydrating face moisturizer (it enhanced skin hydration by 48.1%!).
The fragrance-free moisturizer came out on top for swiftly absorbing and leaving skin feeling nourished. It went on smoothly, was not oily, absorbed well, and made my face feel incredibly soft, according to testers who used it all over their bodies.
Another user gushed about how “it absorbed quickly and left my skin feeling hydrated for hours,” albeit it may not leave skin feeling as plump as other moisturizers.
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- Key ingredients: Glycerin, dimethicone.
- Skin type : Dry, sensitive, irritated.
This top-scoring body moisturizer hydrated skin by 60% (the highest score of more than 20 moisturizers tested) and kept skin feeling moisturized all day in lab tests. The scent-free lotion was also popular among our testers. However, several stated that they would prefer a scented version.
It contains super-hydrating petrolatum, yet it won’t leave your skin feeling oily or tacky: all of our testers thought it absorbed swiftly. “It went onto my skin very smoothly and spread easily and evenly,” one raved, adding that it “left my skin very moisturized throughout the day.”
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- Key ingredients: Squalane, glycerin, glacial glycoprotein.
- Skin type : Normal, dry, combination, oily.
According to our Corneometer data, this silky-smooth cream hydrated even dry skin the best in our most recent Beauty Lab tests, boosting skin moisture by 46.5% over 6 hours.
Our consumer testers also gave it high marks for satisfaction. They liked its texture, describing it as “fine and silky,” and appreciated how it left skin feeling “hydrated but not heavy or sticky.” Although expensive per ounce, reviewers raved about how “skin feels dewy without leaving a residue,” making it ideal for use under SPF or makeup.
How we test moisturizers
The Home Accessories Institute Beauty Lab gathers up the greatest and newest products on the market to evaluate which ones are genuinely worth your money, from drugstore moisturizers to luxury selections and much more, to uncover the best skincare. We employ Corneometer equipment in the Lab to assess moisturization capabilities, and we also send moisturizers to a panel of consumer testers for input on absorption, texture, and aroma. To eliminate brand prejudices, products are hidden or placed in unmarked packaging.
We examined over 134 body creams, distributed them to 120 testers, and collected over 5,000 hydration data points. Regarding face creams, we sent 264 top products home with a panel of testers. We totalled the findings of 2,160 questions plus 1,920 Corneometer data points collected in-lab to determine the moisturizers that genuinely hydrate skin.
What to look for when purchasing the finest moisturizer for dry skin
According to Craig Kraffert, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermstore, regular moisturization is critical. However, the appropriate moisturizer is required to repair very dry skin. Dr Kraffert believes richer products, such as thicker body creams instead of lighter body lotions, are essential for combating excessive dryness. Here are the elements that our experts believe make a potent body lotion that genuinely hydrates parched skin:
✔️Emollients: These are hydrating agents that, according to Dr. Kraffert, are essential in lotion for dry skin because they prevent water loss while smoothing and softening the skin. They are available as oils (plant, mineral, or animal), butter (such as shea and cocoa), or fatty acids.
✔️Humectants: Humectants help enhance the skin’s moisture content by drawing water to the skin. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which can store up to 1,000 times their weight in water and “creates a barrier for the skin, locking in moisture and improving texture,” are favourites among our experts.
✔️Ceramides: As you age, your skin’s lipid layer, which locks in moisture and acts as a barrier against pollution, bacteria, and indications of ageing, depletes. “Ceramides help to restore the skin’s barrier by holding cells together,” Dr. Engelman explains. “As a result, your skin feels smoother, plumper, and more moisturized.” Look for skincare containing ceramides or niacinamide, which aid in the skin’s natural lipid production.
✔️Occlusives: While emollients and humectants hydrate, occlusives sit atop the skin and form a barrier to prevent further moisture loss while also acting as a shield against hydration-robbing factors such as wind and cold air. They are waxy or oily materials such as petroleum, candelilla carnauba wax, beeswax, and cocoa butter.
How should you apply moisturizer to dry skin?
The sequencing of your skincare routine is important for maximum moisturizing efficacy. “Apply moisturizer day and night after a serum and before SPF (during the day),” Dr. Engelman recommends. When you apply moisturizer, it is also important. Dermatologists recommend lathering up soon after cleansing or showering, whether on the face or the body. “Applying moisturizer immediately after showering or cleansing allows the product to trap some of the water on your skin, keeping it from evaporating,” Dr. Engelman explains.
Layering on occlusive products can help lock in moisture, and frequent application can assist skin’s moisture levels to remain balanced, according to Dr. Kraffert. Occlusive substances such as petrolatum, mineral oil, or dimethicone should be avoided. Smooth Aquaphor over your moisturizer on extra-dry or unpleasant regions to create a barrier that locks in moisture and protects skin from further harm, according to our GH Beauty Lab experts.
Why trust Home Accessories?
HA has more than 15 years of experience researching, producing, and editing content on skincare. It draws on the knowledge of top industry experts like dermatologists and aestheticians as well as the scientists at the Home Accessories Institute Beauty Lab. She is an authority in moisturizers and all other types of facial skincare products. April collaborates closely with the HA Beauty Lab to organize the testing of skincare products and transform test results into top-notch, enticing content for Home Accessories that is factually correct and validated by science.
Former senior editor at the Home Accessories Institute, Nicole Saporita frequently worked with specialists from the Beauty Lab.
