What Are the Top Moisturizers for Dry Skin?

Top Pick

For a product that does it all, look no further than CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream. Infused with hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides (ceramide NP, ceramide AP, and ceramide EOP), this cream works to restore and lock in hydration. Suitable for your face, body, and hands, it’s allergy-tested, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin as well.

Shopping writer Lauren Taylor, who has rosacea and dry, sensitive skin, is used to the irritation that comes with many skincare products. She's since incorporated the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream into her daily routine, noting that the formula is thick enough to hydrate her skin without causing any greasiness (or burning) whatsoever.

The non-comedogenic formula is ideal for people with acne-prone skin, and it has a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association. Overall, this is one of the most effective and budget-friendly moisturizers out there, although people with combination or oily skin will likely find it to be too heavy.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, ceramides | Size: 1.89, 12, 16, and 19 ounces

Best With SPF

It's often repeated, but it bears emphasizing: daily sun protection is essential for healthy skin. A moisturizer with SPF makes this effortless. La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer combines SPF 30 with humectants like glycerin and niacinamide, plus emollients such as dimethicone, stearic acid, and palmitic acid for added skin care benefits.

Shopping editor Lily Gray highly recommends this product, appreciating its ability to hydrate without blocking pores. This fragrance-free, paraben-free, oil-free, and non-comedogenic face sunscreen is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. However, as a daytime moisturizer with SPF, it’s best paired with another product like La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Ultra Night Cream for overnight hydration.

Form: Cream | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, silica, dimethicone | Volume: 2.5 ounces

Best for Acne

Battling acne and dry skin is tough since moisturizing ingredients can clog pores and contribute to breakouts. The Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer is a lightweight cream that contains 0.5% salicylic acid to fight blackheads and whiteheads, making it ideal for people with acne-prone skin. 

The cream also contains prebiotic ingredients to protect your skin’s barrier, along with kojic acid and licorice root extract, which can potentially help reduce acne-related marks and scarring. This hypoallergenic moisturizer is fragrance free, paraben free, and non-comedogenic. It has a matte finish, though, which could be a con for people looking for dewy skin.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Size: 3 ounces

Best for Sensitive Skin

For sensitive skin, avoid products with fragrances, harsh exfoliants, or common allergens. A gentle moisturizing cream with a simple, minimal ingredient list, like Weleda Sensitive Care Facial Cream, is a better choice for soothing and protecting your skin.

Sweet almond oil is the main ingredient in this moisturizer, complemented by lactic acid for mild exfoliation and to support skin cell renewal. Glycerin and hydrolyzed beeswax work together to hydrate and safeguard sensitive skin.

Product Type: Cream | Primary Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, glycerin, lactic acid, hydrolyzed beeswax | Volume: 1 ounce

Best for Nighttime Use

Night creams are generally thicker than those meant for daytime, packed with rich ingredients to hydrate your skin as you sleep. This top-rated product from Kiehl’s features shea butter and a mix of botanical oils for deep moisturization.

The formula also includes omega 3 and omega 6 oils, along with essential fatty acids. These nutrients help maintain a healthy skin barrier and lock in moisture. In simpler terms, fatty acids are crucial for preserving skin hydration and targeting dryness, fine lines, and skin dullness for a more youthful complexion.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Omega fatty acids, squalane, shea butter, botanical oils | Size: 1.7 ounces

Ideal for Redness

If you're aiming to reduce redness, the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Cream is a must-try. This deeply moisturizing formula contains Centella Asiatica (tiger grass), a plant known for its healing properties on wounds, burns, and redness. Niacinamide and glycerin are also key ingredients, serving as humectants to lock in moisture and maintain a healthy, nourished skin barrier.

The subtle green tint of this product works wonders at neutralizing redness, making it perfect for days when you prefer to conceal irritated skin without the need for makeup. Just remember, like makeup, this product requires thorough blending for the best results.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, tiger grass | Size: 1.69 ounces

Best Lightweight

Despite the common belief that dry skin requires thick, heavy creams, lighter alternatives can also be highly effective. This moisturizer is packed with a 30% hyaluronic acid complex, featuring three different molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate the skin. Additionally, ProHyal+, an ingredient derived from yeast extract, helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

The formula also includes hydrolyzed silk, which leaves the skin feeling silky smooth. Intended for twice-daily application on the face and neck, this product provides effective moisture, but its high cost might not be suitable for budget-conscious shoppers.

Product Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed silk, ProHyal+ | Sizes Available: 0.67, 1.7, and 5.1 ounces

Top Pick for Primer

Achieving flawless makeup starts with proper pre-makeup hydration, but applying foundation over a thick moisturizer can often feel too heavy. The Mario Badescu Moisture Magnet does it all—moisturizing, priming, and providing sun protection in one easy step. Infused with nourishing sesame oil, anti-wrinkle glycerin, and gardenia extract packed with ferulic acid for elasticity, this creamy moisturizer is perfect whether you use it as a makeup primer, blend it into your favorite skin tint, or mix it with full-coverage foundation for a smooth finish.

Since adding The Moisture Magnet to her skincare routine, Mytour managing editor Tara Cox wholeheartedly recommends it. "It keeps my skin hydrated on dry days without feeling heavy or clogging my pores on days when my skin isn’t as dry," she shares. "It's a reliable, everyday moisturizer that’s made even better with SPF protection, ensuring I never skip this important step in summer or winter." Just be aware that with an SPF of 15, it may not provide sufficient defense during prolonged sun exposure.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, sesame seed oil, gardenia extract | Size: 2 ounces

Final Verdict

For those dealing with extra-dry skin, the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is highly recommended. This rich moisturizer can be applied anywhere on the body and is perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides to keep your skin nourished. For acne-prone dry skin, the lightweight Cetaphil Gentle Clear Moisturizer is a great option, featuring salicylic acid to tackle blackheads, and kojic acid and licorice root extract to help reduce scarring.

How to Shop for Moisturizers Like a Pro

Type

Dr. Griffin explains that the effectiveness of a moisturizer is directly linked to its formula. He notes that although lotions are lightweight and easy to spread, they aren't very effective for deeply moisturizing dry skin.

Petroleum jelly-based ointments, such as Vaseline and Aquaphor, offer excellent hydration and protection. However, their thick, greasy texture can make them challenging to apply over large areas of the body. Dr. Griffin recommends cream-based moisturizers for dry skin, as they have a thicker consistency and are generally the most effective and well-tolerated option for moisture.

Ingredients

For those seeking added hydration, Dr. Griffin recommends looking for products with humectants. These ingredients help attract moisture into the skin and lock it in. Popular humectants include hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, and urea.

In addition to humectants, moisturizers also contain emollients like lipids, oils, colloidal oatmeal, and shea butter. These ingredients help repair the skin’s barrier and soften it. However, Dr. Griffin cautions that emollients may clog pores for people with oily or acne-prone skin.

Choosing the right moisturizer depends on your skin type and specific concerns. Thomas suggests looking for products that contain one or more of the following:

• Glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin. Glycerin’s small molecular structure allows it to hydrate the outer skin layers, accelerate wound healing, and retain moisture.  
• Hyaluronic acid, known for its superior ability to attract and bind water molecules. It is generally safe for all skin types and is unlikely to cause irritation. 
• Ceramides, which help form a barrier to prevent moisture loss, keeping the skin hydrated and reducing irritation.

Certain skincare ingredients should be avoided by those with very dry skin. These include:

• Alcohols. Thomas warns that high alcohol content in skincare products can dehydrate the skin, leading to dryness. While most products don’t specify alcohol levels, Thomas offers a useful trick: Check the ingredient list. “The ingredients listed first have the highest concentrations,” she explains. Not all alcohols, however, are drying—fatty alcohols like cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, and propylene glycol have moisturizing and occlusive properties that are beneficial for the skin.
• Fragrance. Dr. Griffin advises avoiding fragranced moisturizers, particularly for sensitive skin. This is because synthetic fragrances can lead to irritation or even contact dermatitis. 
• Certain acids. Dr. Griffin also points out that some acids, such as AHA, BHA, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, can irritate dry or sensitive skin. While these ingredients are sometimes used in moisturizers to address specific concerns like acne, they can contribute to further dryness or irritation.

Skincare Concerns

When choosing a moisturizer, always look for one that suits your skin type and specific skin concerns.

• If you have acne-prone dry skin, opt for a non-comedogenic formula to avoid clogged pores. A moisturizer containing salicylic acid may also help manage acne.
• For dark spots or hyperpigmentation, choose a moisturizer that contains brightening ingredients like vitamin C. 
• If you have redness or eczema, look for moisturizers with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide, tea tree extract, green tea extract, or aloe vera.

Questions You Might Ask 

Is moisturizer essential for people with dry skin?

"Almost everyone can benefit from moisturizers," Dr. Griffin says, especially individuals with dry skin. While lifestyle changes can help manage some dryness (more on that later), using a moisturizer is an easy and effective way to keep the skin hydrated.  

What are some additional methods to treat dry skin aside from using moisturizer?

"If your skin is dry, it's crucial to pay attention to your routine during and right after your shower," Dr. Griffin advises. "Moisturizing is most effective when done immediately after a bath or shower, as the skin is already hydrated and the moisturizer can help lock in that moisture."

Some advice he offers: Avoid very hot showers or baths, as they can strip moisture from your skin. Use a soft washcloth or your hands to apply soap or body wash, and limit the use of soap on your body to once a day.

"If that’s still not enough, water softeners can be beneficial in areas with hard water," he explains. "A humidifier during the winter season can also help."

What moisturizer brands do dermatologists recommend the most?

Dermatologists may suggest different brands and products based on an individual’s specific skin concerns, budget, and preferences (such as scented vs. unscented products). Many brands collaborate with dermatologists to develop dermatologist-tested moisturizers. Well-known brands with dermatologist-approved products include Vanicream, CeraVe, Cetaphil, and LaRoche-Posay.

Take Our Word for It

This article was crafted by Nina Bahadur, a seasoned writer specializing in beauty, health, and lifestyle topics for over a decade, and later updated by Jamie Fischer, a shopping writer for Mytour. With a tendency towards dry skin, Jamie relies heavily on moisturizers as a crucial element of her skincare routine, having personally tested multiple formulas.

We examined a wide range of moisturizers, focusing on their formulations, ingredients, and recommended uses. Additionally, we sought expert advice from board-certified dermatologist Thomas Griffin Jr., MD and cosmetic chemist Vanessa Thomas to ensure the highest level of insight.