According to our experts, the best face moisturizers for dry skin are rich and contain three types of ingredients: emollients to seal in moisture, occlusives to create a protective layer, and humectants to attract water to the skin. There are different forms of moisturizers, such as ointments, creams, lotions and more, to suit different skin needs. Our experts also advise avoiding products with ethyl alcohol, exfoliators or other harsh or drying ingredients. Based on these criteria, these are the top face moisturizers for dry skin that our experts recommend.
Our Top Picks
| Image | Product | Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Overall
|
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
|
|
Check Price |
|
Best Water Gel
|
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
|
|
Check Price |
|
Best Cream
|
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
|
|
Check Price |
|
Best Lotion
|
Topicals Like Butter Moisturize
|
|
Check Price |
Below are the detailed reviews.
1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
This moisturizer has won a Select Wellness Award and is approved by the National Eczema Association, making it ideal for sensitive skin. It has hyaluronic acid and ceramides that restore the skin’s hydration and protection.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a rich, non-greasy, fast-absorbing moisturizer that hydrates and repairs your skin’s natural barrier. It contains three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and petrolatum, which work together to lock in moisture, soothe dryness, and protect your skin from irritants. Suitable for normal to dry skin on the face and body, this cream is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and accepted by the National Eczema Association.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is also Cradle to Cradle Certified at the silver level, which means it is safe, circular, and responsibly made. Try CeraVe Moisturizing Cream today and experience the difference of healthy-looking skin.
2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
Neutrogena Hydro Boost is a good choice for dry skin. Dr. Barry Goldman and Jean Dachnowicz, skin experts from New York City, recommend it for its hydrating effect. It contains hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, and glycerin, which moisturize the skin in different ways.
If you have dry skin, you might want to try Neutrogena Hydro Boost. This product is endorsed by both Dr. Barry Goldman and Jean Dachnowicz, a dermatologist and an aesthetician from Goldman Dermatology in New York City. They say that Neutrogena Hydro Boost “hydrates the skin and reduces dryness”. Some of the key ingredients are hyaluronic acid, which holds water in the skin, dimethicone, which creates a protective layer, and glycerin, which draws moisture to the skin.
3. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty’s fragrance-free cream contains colloidal oatmeal, a moisturizing ingredient that boosts your skin’s resilience and hydration, as Goldman and Dachnowicz explain. Chiu recommends this cream for people with dry skin during the winter season, and the brand claims it can also soothe redness and eczema.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is a versatile moisturizer that provides instant relief and long-term hydration for dry, distressed skin and eczema. It is suitable for both face and body, and can be used daily or as needed. This cream is enriched with colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and ceramides, which help soothe, nourish, and repair the skin barrier. It also contains antioxidants and botanicals, which protect the skin from environmental aggressors and reduce signs of aging.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free. It is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and cruelty-free. It is dermatologist-tested and safe for sensitive skin. Whether you need a moisturizer for dry skin, eczema, or just a hydration boost, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is the perfect choice for you.
4. Topicals Like Butter Moisturizer
This moisturizer contains 1% colloidal oatmeal, a powerful ingredient that combats extreme dryness and eczema, as the brand claims. PAB Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris swears by this moisturizer for winter — she loves how it moisturizes and smooths her skin without making it oily, and heals her dry spots instantly.
Topicals Like Butter Moisturizer is a daily moisturizer that targets extreme dryness, sensitivity, and eczema-prone skin. It is formulated with 1% colloidal oatmeal, a clinically-proven ingredient that soothes irritation and reduces redness. It also contains botanical extracts such as green tea, turmeric, and centella asiatica that help restore the skin barrier and prevent flare-ups.
This moisturizer is steroid-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. It has a light and runny texture that absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any greasy residue. It has a subtle natural scent that does not irritate the nose or the skin. With regular use, this moisturizer can help you achieve skin so smooth, it’s like butter.