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10 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin to Save Your Hands and Face
Say hello to hydration with advice from experts.
Dry skin: It happens. And, for some people, it's the reality all year-round, not just when the temperatures spike and dip like crazy in the coolest and hottest months of the year. But, just because you have dry skin doesn't mean it has to stay that way. After all, the best moisturizers for dry skin are designed specifically for such complexion concerns. But, before you go reaching for the nearest lotion or cream, understand that, like all skincare products, not all moisturizers are created equal. While they're all designed to hydrate skin, they're not all designed to keep dry skin moisturized. See the difference? It's because of this that it's important to know which ingredients are worth implementing in your routine.
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According to dermatologists, anything chock-full of ceramides is a worthy candidate. That's because they strengthening lipids build up the moisture barrier to prevent moisture loss in the first place. Then there's hyaluronic acid, an ingredient known to hold 1,000 times its weight in water. And don't forget about alpha hydroxy acids! After all, while these exfoliating acids aren't designed to deliver moisture firsthand, they are designed to slough away any dirt, debris, or dead skin build-up that could be blocking your skin from attaining and retaining the moisture it needs.
Now that you're up to speed, you could very well head into your nearest drugstore or Sephora and flip products over one by one in search of the holy grail ingredients. Or, you could just keep scrolling for over a dozen of the best moisturizers for dry skin. You choose. (Check out the best moisturizers with SPF, winter skincare tips, and Ree Drummond's skincare routine while you're at it!)
GOOPGENES All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream
Hydrating, nourishing, anti-aging―this clinically-tested facial cream has been tested to deliver 48 hours of hydration while working to improve texture and tone well beyond that. It has a megadose of plant-based ceramides, squalane, and seven highly active botanicals to leave skin soft, supple, firm, and even-toned. NYC dermatologist Dr. Robert Anolik points out that, “Thicker creams are more effective for moisturization than lighter lotions in the winter," and the unique whipped texture of this product is just that.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
This drugstore bestseller is made with hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides to provide rich 24-hour hydration and help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. The brand was actually developed with the help of dermatologists and is recommended by many. Elyse Love, MD, FAAD raves, "[It's] a tried-and-true classic. This moisturizer works great for those with dry skin... It's oil-free, so it won't clog the pores and cause acne. As a plus, it can be used on the entire body."
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
While this moisturizer can be enjoyed by all skin types, it's especially beneficial for those with extra dry complexions or anyone dealing with distressed skin and eczema. In addition to colloidal oatmeal meant to protect skin and relieve itching, it's made with shea butter and allantoin to provide needed vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids along with a calming effect. According to dermatologist Jennifer Wong, “The best moisturizers for dry skin contain two or three key ingredients, no fragrance, and not too much water.” She recommends this one as a product that fits the bill.
Ultra Facial Moisturizing Cream with Squalane
A fragrance-free formula designed to hydrate skin for up to 24 hours to leave it looking softer, smoother, and healthier? Yes, please. Founder of The Dermatology Collective, Dr. Chris Tomassian even includes this product when his skin feels dry and says, "The formula includes squalane and glycerin for deep hydration. I love how the lightweight formula easily blends in... with no pilling or white cast.”
Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream
Dr. Anne out of Heidelberg, Germany calls this cream "The one I almost missed." But, she's so glad she didn't! This rich, lightweight cream is chock-full of ceramides. Plus, the polyglutamic acid boosts the skin's ability to cling to its naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid. It's a hydrating powerhouse with lovely packaging to boot! The doctor uses it herself and adds, "Nourishing is the best way to describe how it feels, but without any greasy residue... During the colder period it kept my skin plump and hydrated without causing any breakouts or that suffocating feeling richer creams tend to give me."
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer
Kathleen S. Viscusi, co-founder and partner at Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta Hyaluronic, recommends products with peptides. "They provide a more effective form of delivery technology to penetrate the skin deeper, therefore providing benefits such as moisturization and anti-aging properties more effectively," she says. With this product, amino acids combine with a series of peptides and antioxidants to moisturize, strengthen, and protect skin with a single pump. Just keep in mind that this moisturizer is super rich, so a little goes a long way.
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Beyond this moisturizer's ability to expertly hydrate skin with a blend of Okinawa algae, hyaluronic acid, and purple rice extract, the case will beautify your vanity too. Plus, the cream itself is a pretty purple color, so there's that. Oh, and it's used by a popular dermatologist in New York City. Dr. Shereene Idriss says of her skincare routine, "Once I'm done with the washing of my face, exfoliation and the serums, I then want to lock it in with a moisturizer... I really am liking this one by Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream. It does really leave your skin dewy."
Derma E Hydrating Day Cream
San Francisco dermatologist Diana Camarillo says her patients are "looking for safer, cleaner and non-toxic ingredients... In finding DERMA-E, I found a skin care line that can deliver similar results as more traditional, chemically driven skin care formulas.” So, if you prefer to use plant-based products, this vegan moisturizer will wow you. It's made with hyaluronic acid and a blend of hydrating veggie acids, alcohols, and oils, all of which will help leave your skin feeling (and looking!) its best.
Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer
Three hydrating ingredients—glycerin, allantoin, and bisabolol— work together within this drugstore find to moisturize skin for up to 12 hours. It's specifically formulated not to irritate skin or clog pores thanks to a hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and pH-balanced formula. You'll also enjoy soothing hydrating without a greasy feeling. Bonus points: This product is vegan and even dermatologist tested, so you can be sure you're getting the best expert-recommended skincare.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
If you have dry skin, there's a good chance it's sensitive, too. To help keep it as protected and comfortable as possible, slather your skin in this fragrance-free, lanolin-free, and paraben-free body moisturizer. You won't regret it. According to cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, it will "create a barrier that protects skin from environmental stressors, while replenishing lost moisture.” That's thanks to skin essentials like vitamins E and B5 combined with other long-lasting moisturizing ingredients.
Rebecca Ravee Norris is a full-time freelance writer with a decade's worth of lifestyle media experience. Based out of the Washington metropolitan area, she writes for a variety of publications, covering everything from beauty and wellness to style and celebrity news. She is a graduate of George Mason University. There, she earned her B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. When she's not working, she can be found with her beloved Jack-Chi, Cash, adventuring with family and friends, working through reps at the gym, dreaming up her next home decor project, testing a new recipe, getting lost in the pages of a book, or catching up on her favorite shows.
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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