Our skin deals with many environmental and self-inflicted obstacles every day, so the least you can do is give it some needed protection with a good face moisturizer (and, of course, sunscreen).
Choosing the right face moisturizer is the most important step in building a skin care routine for dry skin. To help you find the best face moisturizer, we spoke to dermatologists and an aesthetician about what ingredients to look for and which ones to avoid. Below are some of their tips and favorite products.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best face moisturizers | The best moisturizers for dry skin in 2024 | What is a moisturizer? | How to shop for a dry skin moisturizer | Why trust NBC Select?
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How we picked the best face moisturizers for dry skin
We picked moisturizers that had a combination of the following ingredients based on our experts’ guidance:
- Emollients: sealing agents to keep moisture in
- Occlusives: create physical barriers to prevent dehydration
- Humectants: draw water to the skin to help it retain moisture
We also kept in mind various formulations, including ointments, creams and lotions, which all meet different skin needs (more on formulation below). Moisturizers should also be free of ethyl alcohol, exfoliators and other drying or irritating ingredients, according to our experts.
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The best face moisturizers for dry skin in 2024
Below are the facial moisturizers our experts count as their favorites for dry skin, along with recommendations from NBC Select staff, who are skin care experts in their own right.
Best overall: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- Relieves discomfort
- Restores the skin barrier
- For face and body
- Can be messy to scoop
Not only is this moisturizer an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner and one of our top 10 moisturizers out of 100, but it’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association, which means it’s suitable for sensitive skin. NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez loves how effective this cream is at healing eczema on both her face and body. “Although it’s a cream, it’s very easy to spread, and a little goes a long way, so one tub will last you a long time,” she says.
Formula: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for very dry skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
- For face and body
- Fast absorbing
- Higher price point
This fragrance-free cream from First Aid Beauty has colloidal oatmeal, an emollient that helps strengthen your skin barrier and adds moisture to it, according to Dr. Barry Goldman, a dermatologist at New York City’s Goldman Dermatology, and Jean Dachnowicza, a licensed aesthetician at Goldman Dermatology. This is a great option for those with redness or eczema in the wintertime, says Dr. Annie Chiu, a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in California.
Type: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal | Fragrance-free: yes
Best daily moisturizer: Vanicream Facial Moisturizer
- Rich but lightweight
- Softens skin
- Suitable under makeup
- Small size
Goldman recommends Vanicream for dry skin, and it’s also an NBC Select staff favorite, ranking number 11 on our top 100 list. “This is one of the very few products that I will always buy again when it runs out — my skin practically craves it when it’s gone,” says NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. The facial moisturizer is made with a blend of emollients and humectants, and it doesn’t have common irritants like dyes and fragrances, according to the brand.
Type: lotion | Skin type: sensitive | Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, squalane | Fragrance-free: yes
Best budget-friendly: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
- For face and body
- Available in multiple sizes
- Great for all skin types
- Can be messy to scoop
Goldman and Dachnowicz call Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream the best overall moisturizer for dry skin, and it took the number one spot on our 100 moisturizer list. “It feels thick and rich as it comes out of the jar, with an aroma barely registering on my nose. Everyone on our staff who tried this found it simple, reliable and nourishing, regardless of their skin type,” says NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz.
Type: cream | Skin type: sensitive, dry | Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, vitamin E | Fragrance-free: yes
Editor’s pick: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
- Lightweight
- Repairs skin barrier
- Soothing
- Small size
Despite having different skin types, both NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin (who has acne-prone skin) and Alvarez (who has dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin) use this as their daily morning moisturizer. “It has a medium thickness, so it’s moisturizing enough to prevent dry, flakey skin, yet thin enough that it absorbs quickly,” says Malin. “It never makes me look oily or shiny, and it never exacerbates irritation when I’m experiencing it.”
Alvarez loves how gentle and soothing it is on her skin. “It’s a game changer during my eczema flare-ups because any itchiness or roughness I’m experiencing goes away in a few days,” she says. “I never want to stop using it because it’s the perfect maintenance tool for keeping my skin moisturized, calm and happy.”
Type: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for flaky skin: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
- Multitasking
- Repairing
- Gentle
- Can be greasy
Aquaphor is an occlusive moisturizer that can be helpful for skin that tends to be flaky, cracked or scaly, according to Goldman and Dachnowicz. The fragrance-free ointment, which you can use as a lip mask and hand cream in addition to a face moisturizer, includes several occlusive ingredients, like mineral oil and glycerin. Compared to lotions or creams, Aquaphor works best to create a barrier that keeps moisture in; however, Goldman and Dachnowicz warn that Aquaphor may be too heavy for some skin types and can clog pores.
Type: ointment | Skin type: dry, sensitive, normal | Key ingredients: glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for eczema: Topicals Like Butter Moisturizer
- Improves skin barrier
- Reduces itchiness
- Can use anywhere for eczema
- Packaging can be difficult
This moisturizer is made with colloidal oatmeal, which targets extreme dryness and eczema, according to the brand. It’s one of NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris‘ go-to winter moisturizers in her skin care routine — she likes that it keeps her skin feeling hydrated and plump without any excess greasiness and soothes dry patches right away.
Type: lotion | Skin type: sensitive, very dry, combo | Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal | Fragrance-free: yes
Best gel cream: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
- Lightweight
- Cooling
- Aborbs quickly into skin
- Has slight fragrance
Most of our experts recommend Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line for people with dry skin. Plus, it’s an NBC Select staff favorite: “When my skin is raw — like red, inflamed, flakey and uneven in texture — this is the only moisturizer I can tolerate,” says Malin. “I first started using it when I began treating acne with Tretinoin, which severely dried out my skin for the first few months. It was the only moisturizer I found that didn’t sting or burn when I applied it, and I used it multiple times a day. I always keep some with me wherever I go just in case my dry skin starts flaring up.”
Type: gel | Skin type: dry, acne-prone | Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for damaged skin barrier: Kiehls Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
- Rich consistency
- Reduces itchiness
- Improves skin texture
- Not the best for oily skin
An NBC Select Wellness Awards winner for dry skin, this moisturizer has colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucan, which work together to soothe redness and repair the skin’s moisture barrier. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves this thick moisturizer for the wintertime when her rosacea-prone skin is driest. “It’s super thick, and most of my dry patches disappear overnight when I use it,” she says. It is also lightweight and gentle on sensitive skin, according to the brand.
Type: cream | Skin type: sensitive | Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, beta-glucan | Fragrance-free: yes
Best two-in-one: Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer
- Refillable
- Improves dull skin
- Most lightweight consistency
- Higher price point
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves the milky liquid texture of this two-in-one toner and moisturizer, which she says initially took her time to warm up to. “It almost feels like water yet it has some weight to it that makes it look like a serum,” she says. It merges the hydration benefits of a cream with the lightweight feel of a toner, which Brown loves as a way to save time on skin care. “Two-fer products are my jam, so I love that this is a toner and moisturizer in one,” she says, adding that potential shoppers should be wary of how much they apply. “A little goes a long way, so you risk looking greasy when you go overboard,” says Brown.
Type: liquid | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: white tea leaf water | Fragrance-free: n/a
Best multitasking cream: Embroylisse Lait Crème Concentré
- Doubles as a primer
- Smoothing
- Plumps skin
- Has a floral scent
This moisturizer is a favorite of Alvarez and NBC Select page Emma Satin because it’s thick and creamy without being greasy, heavy or sticky. “It is my go-to for New York winters when my skin needs a moisture boost, but I truly use it year-round, especially when I’m doing my makeup for a special occasion and want my skin to glow,” says Satin. “It is a bit pricier in the States but is worth every penny if you struggle with dry skin.”
Type: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera, soy proteins | Fragrance-free: no
Best for face and body: Selfmade Corrective Experience Comfort Cream
- Plush texture
- Non-sticky
- Relieves discomfort
- Has an odor from ingredients
This fragrance-free moisturizer, another NBC Select Wellness Awards winner, has niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. It’s also occlusive, so it creates a barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss and improve its ability to heal, experts say. Malin finds this to be very similar to Neutrogena’s moisturizer, which is why she loves it. “I find it even more cooling, and it has aloe in it, which is super soothing when my skin is red and inflamed,” she says. “It absorbs into my skin quickly and is so lightweight I forget I’m wearing it. You can also use it as a body cream, so I’ve applied it to dry patches on my neck, chest, arms and legs as needed.”
Type: cream | Skin type: sensitive | Key ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes
Best splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer
- Smoothing
- Plumps the skin
- Improves tone and texture
- Higher price point
When it comes to moisturized skin, Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream is the first product that comes to mind for Brown. “The texture is so rich, but it doesn’t sit on top of the skin and I just love how glowy I look and feel after applying it,” she says. The cream has a slew of hydrating ingredients, including aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and camellia oil, and is also available in a lighter, gel-cream version, which has soothing niacinamide.
Type: cream | Skin type: dry | Key ingredients: niacinamide, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: n/a
Best rich cream: Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream
- Soothing
- Minimizes fine lines
- Improves dull skin
- Higher price point
- Small size
When her skin is experiencing a few breakouts but is still combatting its typical dry and eczema concerns, Alvarez reaches for this moisturizer. “My skin rarely experiences breakouts, but lately, it’s in that transition of summer heat to cooler early fall, so it’s all over the place. This cream is my saving grace,” she says. “It’s very rich and thick, but it won’t clog my pores, so my breakout isn’t worsening, and it’s alleviating those dry, somewhat rough patches I have overnight.”
Type: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: avène thermal spring water, shea butter, glycerin | Fragrance-free: no
Best ointment: Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
- Multipurpose
- Available in multiple sizes
- Healing
- Can be greasy
Petroleum jelly is the occlusive moisturizer behind the popular skin care trend “slugging” — people put the product on their face after their skin care routine to lock in moisture. The American Academy of Dermatology says that petroleum jelly products have several skin care benefits, including helping dry skin; however, Goldman and Dachnowicz warn it may clog pores on some skin types.
Type: ointment | Skin type: dry, normal, sensitive | Key ingredients: petroleum jelly | Fragrance-free: yes
Most lightweight: Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
- Cooling sensation
- Reduces excess oil
- Soothing
- Can be messy to scoop
For people who want a quick-absorbing moisturizer, Chiu recommends this one from Biossance. It has ingredients like squalane oil and probiotics to help hydrate your skin, reduce redness and shrink pores, according to the brand. “I love using this in the summer months or when I’m about to be really active because it gives me the same amount as a thick, creamy moisturizer without being heavy or potentially clogging my pores,” says Alvarez. “I usually try not to spend too much money on a moisturizer, but this is worth it and I will buy a new one every time I run out.”
Type: gel | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: squalane, probiotics | Fragrance-free: yes
Best long-lasting: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
- Reduces fine lines
- Improves skin barrier
- Plumps skin
- Higher price point
Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream couples antioxidant ingredients with deep moisture in an elegant, non-greasy formula, says Chiu. The cream has a blend of Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid, which work together to restore water levels to the skin and replenish ceramides, according to the brand. Other nourishing ingredients in the moisturizer include glycerin and dimethicone.
Type: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: glycerin, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes
Best overnight treatment: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
- Non-greasy
- Available in multiple sizes
- Best for nighttime use only
“I’m obsessed with Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask because when I apply it, it truly feels like my skin is drinking a giant cup of water,” says Malin. “I lather it all over my skin before I go to bed once or twice a week on nights when I’m not using my acne medication — it gives me that glazed donut look I aim for when I really need to hydrate my skin.” Plus, you only need to use a little at a time since it has a rich consistency that spreads easily, says Malin. Since it does leave your skin looking very dewy and glowy, Malin recommends using it only at night.
Type: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for fine lines: Skinbetter Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment
- Improves dull skin
- Leaves skin supple
- Reduces fine lines
- Most expensive on our list
If you have a little bit more in your budget to spend, Chiu recommends Skinbetter’s Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment to repair dry skin. “[It] has urea and provides deep moisture without the heaviness,” she says. It has hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and ceramides and squalane to lock in moisture, according to the brand.
Type: lotion | Skin type: dry, damaged | Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane | Fragrance-free: no
Most gentle: The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer
- Improves skin barrier
- Easy to dispense
- Smoothing
- Small size
If you have highly sensitive skin or have multiple allergies, including gluten and nuts, consider this lightweight allergy-tested moisturizer. “It’s so incredibly gentle on my skin, and instead of worsening my ongoing symptoms, it helps soothe, heal and repair them,” says Alvarez. “Seriously, all it takes is two pumps, and my skin automatically feels 10 times better and more moisturized.”
Type: cream | Skin type: all | Key ingredients: squalane, glycerin, avocado oil, plum oil | Fragrance-free: yes
Best face mask: Eve Lom Moisture Mask
- Softens skin
- Improves skin barrier
- Smoothing
- Higher price point
When your skin is super dry, consider using a moisture mask, like this one from Eve Lom, a few times a week to help calm dry, flaky and irritated skin, says Chiu. During sleep, our skin loses more moisture because our body temperature slowly increases throughout the night, says Chiu. This mask has several moisturizing ingredients, including the humectant hyaluronic acid. “It also has an occlusive effect that still manages to feel light and soothing,” says Chiu.
Type: cream | Skin type: dry, flaky | Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, black oat, lecithin, red seaweed | Fragrance-free: yes
Related
What is a moisturizer, and how does it work?
Moisturizers bring moisture into the skin, not just to the surface, says Chiu. Typically, they come in the form of lotions or creams, but can be gels or ointments, too. Creams provide a heavier barrier to keep your skin moisturized and are ideal for dry or sensitive skin, while lotions tend to be lighter and less greasy, making them better for normal to lightly dry skin, says Chiu.
How to shop for moisturizers for dry skin
When shopping for a moisturizer for dry skin, our experts recommend considering factors like ingredients and formulation.
Ingredients
Humectants, emollients and occlusives all work together to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture. Our experts break down these three types of ingredients below:
- Humectants draw water to the skin’s surface and help it retain moisture by breaking down dead skin cells, according to Chiu. Hyaluronic acid is arguably the most common (and important) humectant: It works by absorbing moisture like a sponge from the air and draws it into the skin, says Goldman and Dachnowicz. Other common humectants found in moisturizers include urea, glycerol, sorbitol, glycerin, aloe vera gel and lactic acid.
- Emollients help soften the skin and lock in moisture. They are beneficial to dry skin when natural lipids have been depleted, says Chiu. (Natural lipids are fatty acids that trap in moisture and soothe and moisturize the skin, experts previously told us in our guide to SPF lip balms.) Common emollients include shea butter, isopropyl palmitate and colloidal oatmeal.
- Occlusives create a physical barrier over the epidermis that prevents water loss and shields the skin from potential irritants. They are a good option for those with dry skin since they aid in moisture retention and skin barrier restoration, says Chiu. However, if you have acne-prone skin, occlusive ointments might clog your pores, according to Goldman and Dachnowicz. Common occlusives include waxes like beeswax and silicone, and oils like olive oil, lanolin, mineral oil and dimethicone.
Formulation
Moisturizers formulated for dry skin typically have a heavier, thicker texture to create a barrier on the skin, experts say. The type of formulation you choose depends on your skin’s needs:
- Ointments are the thickest and most moisturizing formula and usually have the least amount of irritating ingredients, says Young. However, the downside to ointments is that they can typically be on the greasier side, which many try to avoid during the day, she says.
- Balms are slightly less thick than an ointment, but you can still noticeably feel them on your skin, says Young.
- Creams are a great consistency for those with dry skin because they tend to be thick, but they don’t feel as greasy or heavy as ointments and balms. They are also a good option for those who can’t tolerate thick ointments, says Young.
- Lotions are less thick and can be slightly less moisturizing, says Young. Some people might need a cream in the drier wintertime but can switch to a lighter lotion during the summer, she says.
- Gel creams can strike a balance between moisturizing well and feeling less greasy on the skin. However, gel creams might not be moisturizing enough for those with very dry skin, says Young.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Annie Chiu is a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in California in Redondo Beach.
- Dr. Alexis Young is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
- Dr. Barry Goldman is a dermatologist at New York City’s Goldman Dermatology and a clinical instructor at Cornell NY Presbyterian Hospital.
- Jean Dachnowicz is a licensed aesthetician at New York City’s Goldman Dermatology.
Why trust NBC Select?
Christina Colizza and Morgan Greenwald are former editors for NBC Select.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more. For this story, they spoke to board-certified dermatologists and aestheticians about the best moisturizers for dry skin, including product recommendations and advice on how to shop for your own.
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