No matter what your skin type, a moisturiser is the cornerstone of any good skincare routine. Indeed, alongside cleanser and SPF, it's one of my 'bare minimum' beauty products—and if you have dry skin, it's an absolutely non-negotiable essential.
While applying hydrating mists and serums and avoiding stripping cleansers will also help to maintain healthy, hydrated skin, it's moisturiser that will make the biggest difference when it comes to addressing symptoms of dryness—such as tightness, redness, sensitivity, rough texture, flakiness, and dullness.
Whether you're prone to dry skin all year round, or you find your dryness flares up during the winter months, adding a thick and nourishing moisturiser into your routine can make all the difference when it comes to soothing, softening, and restoring hydration to parched skin.
What moisturiser should I use for dry skin?
Of course, not all moisturisers are created equal, and so it's important to ensure that you're using the right type of moisturiser when you have dry skin. As a rule, avoid lighter, gel-textured moisturisers and opt instead for thicker, richer creams. Look out for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and oat, which will provide a more nourishing hydration boost and help to seal moisture into the skin.
When it comes to application, ensure you're moisturising twice daily. As an esthetician, I also advise my clients to apply their moisturiser onto damp skin after using mists and serums and before applying SPF. I also recommend applying a thicker, almost mask-like layer at night time to give skin an intensive moisture boost while you sleep.
Whether you're searching for 'the one' or you simply want a more nourishing face cream to see you through winter, we've rounded up the best moisturisers for dry skin below.
Shop the Best Moisturisers for Dry Skin:
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
- Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
- Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
- The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser
- Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
- Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
- Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream
- Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm
- Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Moisturiser
- Skin Rocks The Rich Moisturiser
- Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Oat Rich Balm
- Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
- Glossier After Baume
- Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream
- Rhode Barrier Butter
1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
This ultra-rich moisturiser is best applied as a night cream or used as a mask once or twice a week. It's perfect for soothing sensitivity, reducing redness, and for applying to any particularly scaly or chapped areas of skin. I always keep a tube on my shelf for when dry skin-related emergencies arise because it works so well and so fast.
2. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
Ceramides are one of my favourite skincare ingredients to recommend to my dry skin clients. They're fatty acids which hold skin cells together in order for it to form a healthy skin barrier that seals in moisture and keeps irritants out. If you suspect a damaged skin barrier, this reparative moisturiser is a lifesaver.
3. Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
This rich night cream not only feels nourishing on the skin, but the ceramide-packed formula ensures your skin barrier is shielded and repaired overnight by restoring lipids in the skin. Expect plumped and comfortable skin come morning. It also offers antioxidant protection to help leave your skin looking brighter and better rested.
4. Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
Dryness and sensitivity often go hand-in-hand, but fortunately Curél products are all formulated with dry, sensitive skin in mind. This dense hydrating cream is packed with skin barrier-supporting ceramides alongside eucalyptus extract to soothe skin.
5. Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
If dryness results in your skin looking dull and flat, look no further. This cult classic Korean moisturiser plumps skin up and leaves it with a fresh, juicy finish. Key ingredients include nourishing squalane and brightening rice water.
6. Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream
Another K-beauty staple, this thick, buttery cream contains ceramides and fatty acids to help both replenish moisture levels and prevent it from escaping. This brand is considered the Korean version of Cerave.
7. Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm
This balm can be applied as a moisturiser or layered on top of one as an extra occlusive barrier to seal moisture in. To do so, it combines the soothing and hydrating benefits of marshmallow root, centella asiatica, colloidal oatmeal, arnica, and milk thistle.
8. Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Moisturiser
If you've noticed your skin becoming drier as you've aged, there's no need to be concerned—skin dryness naturally increases as we get older. For skin that's experiencing signs of ageing as well as symptoms of dryness, this moisturiser will be a worthy addition to your skincare routine. Alongside hydrators like glycerin and jojoba seed oil, it contains peptides to smooth rough skin and wrinkles, and antioxidants to target fine lines and dark spots.
9. Skin Rocks The Rich Moisturiser
As its name suggests, this rich moisturiser is designed to nourish dry, flaky skin with its rich, creamy formula. The fact that it's fragrance-free makes it ideal for those who find their dryness results in increased sensitivty.
10. Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Oat Rich Balm
This dense, buttery balm is infused with Aveeno's signature triple oat complex, which helps to calm redness and sensitivity while also moisturising and protecting the skin barrier. Another brilliant option for dry and sensitive complexions.
11. Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
I return to this moisturiser every winter—it's super thick and creamy, but doesn't feel heavy or greasy on my acne-prone skin. The multitasking formula contains multiple forms of ceramides alongside squalane, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
12. Glossier After Baume
Another moisturiser that works well both alone and when applied as an extra layer after moisturising. I also often apply this to the areas where I know I'm most prone to dryness—such as around my nose and chin.
13. Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream
Dermalogica moisturisers are amongst my all-time favourites, with this ultra-thick cream being one of the best options for very dry skin. Alongside ceramides it contains cica to reduce redness and relieve irritation.
14. Rhode Barrier Butter
Ideal for overnight hydration, this rich, buttery cream draws upon the benefits of hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid to rehydrate skin, while ceramides and murumuru butter help to seal moisture in and soften rough texture.
15. The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser
Many thicker creams can be too rich for acne-prone skin, but this was is specifically formulated to nourish dryness without contributing to clogged pores and breakouts. It's intensely hydrating, but doesn't feel too heavy or greasy.
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