If your skin feels tight after cleansing, flakes under makeup, or stings with strong actives, you are likely dealing with dryness. This guide explains what to look for in a moisturiser (and what to avoid), then shares evidence‑based picks for deep hydration and a healthy barrier.
How we chose
- Focus on barrier support (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids), humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid) and emollients (squalane, shea).
- Fragrance and essential oil minimal where possible to reduce irritation risk.
- Manufacturer links only; no affiliate parameters.
- Options for face, some face/body, and budget or luxury.
Quick picks
- Best overall: CeraVe Moisturising Cream
- Best for very dry or flaky: La Roche‑Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
- Best lightweight day cream: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
- Best sensitive or minimal: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
- Best barrier focus: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
- Best oat soothing: Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser
- Best gel for dehydration: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel‑Cream
- Best lipid rich: Eucerin Advanced Repair (US) / UreaRepair (EU)
- Best for very dry body or face: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
- Best omega blend: Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer
The best moisturisers for dry skin
1) CeraVe Moisturising Cream (face or body)
Why it works: ceramides with cholesterol and hyaluronic acid support barrier lipids and hydration.
Texture: rich cream with a low shine finish.
Good for: persistent dryness and post actives recovery. Suitable for face and body.
Ingredients highlight: Ceramide NP, AP, EOP, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin.
Buy: CeraVe Moisturising Cream
2) La Roche‑Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ (face)
Why it works: panthenol (B5), madecassoside and shea butter. Calming and lightly occlusive without greasiness.
Texture: rich balm cream.
Good for: very dry, flaky, windburn, and over exfoliation recovery.
Ingredients highlight: panthenol, shea butter, madecassoside, glycerin.
Buy: La Roche‑Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
3) Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (face)
Why it works: lightweight but deceptively hydrating. Squalane and glycerin help daily TEWL control.
Texture: light cream that layers well under SPF and makeup.
Good for: daytime dryness without heaviness.
Ingredients highlight: squalane, glycerin.
Buy: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
4) Vanicream Moisturizing Cream (face or body)
Why it works: minimalist formula free of fragrance, dyes and lanolin to reduce trigger risk.
Texture: rich classic cream.
Good for: sensitive, reactive and eczema prone dry skin.
Ingredients highlight: petrolatum, dimethicone, sorbitol.
Buy: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
5) Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream (face)
Why it works: ceramide complex with humectants for targeted barrier replenishment.
Texture: rich but cosmetically elegant.
Good for: stubborn dryness and barrier support during retinoid use.
Ingredients highlight: ceramides, glycerin, panthenol.
Buy: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
6) Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser (face)
Why it works: oat and feverfew derivatives for soothing in a gel cream that hydrates without heaviness.
Texture: gel cream that works under makeup.
Good for: dry and sensitive, redness‑prone skin.
Ingredients highlight: oat extract, glycerin.
Buy: Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser
7) Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel‑Cream (face)
Why it works: hyaluronic acid and glycerin deliver rapid hydration in a lightweight base.
Texture: gel cream that is cooling and fast absorbing.
Good for: dehydrated dry skin and layering under a richer night cream.
Ingredients highlight: hyaluronic acid, glycerin.
Buy: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel‑Cream
8) Eucerin Advanced Repair (US) / UreaRepair (UK) (face or body)
Why it works: urea and ceramides replenish natural moisturising factors and lipids. Excellent for rough or dry patches.
Texture: rich cream or lotion variants.
Good for: very dry body areas like knees and elbows and winter routines.
Ingredients highlight: urea, ceramides, glycerin.
Buy (US): Eucerin Advanced Repair Creme
Buy (UK): Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Cream
9) Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume (face or body)
Why it works: lipid replenishing baume with soothing agents for very dry to atopic skin.
Texture: thick baume, great overnight.
Good for: facial and body dryness and sensitive skin.
Ingredients highlight: lipids, soothing agents, glycerin.
Buy: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
10) Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer (face)
Why it works: omega fatty acids with ceramides and shea in an elegant barrier supporting blend.
Texture: mid weight cream.
Good for: dry to very dry skin. Pairs well with actives.
Ingredients highlight: linoleic or linolenic acids, ceramides, shea butter.
Buy: Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer
How to choose the right moisturiser
- Look for ceramides with cholesterol and fatty acids, humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and occlusives such as petrolatum, dimethicone or squalane.
- Avoid if sensitive: strong fragrance or essential oils and frequent high strength acids.
- Texture guide: AM use a gel cream or light cream under SPF. PM use a richer cream or baume to reduce overnight transepidermal water loss.
Simple AM and PM routine (dry skin)
- AM: gentle cleanse, hydrating serum (glycerin or HA), moisturiser, SPF 30+.
- PM: gentle cleanse, optional serum, rich moisturiser or baume.
Tips: apply moisturiser on slightly damp skin to improve water binding. Introduce retinoids or acids slowly two to three evenings per week to avoid barrier compromise.
Ingredients that help
- Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP) with cholesterol and fatty acids rebuild the barrier “mortar”.
- Glycerin, hyaluronic acid and urea draw and hold water to support NMF.
- Squalane, shea butter, petrolatum and dimethicone create an occlusive or emollient layer that locks hydration.
What to avoid with dry skin
- High fragrance or essential oils, frequent AHAs or BHAs and harsh soaps.
- Hot water and over cleansing.
- Layering too many actives at once.
FAQs
Is a gel cream enough for dry skin?
Often for morning routines yes. Pair with a richer cream at night. Very dry skin may prefer rich both AM and PM in winter.
Can I use retinoids with dry skin?
Yes. Go slowly two to three nights per week, buffer with moisturiser and avoid strong acids on the same evening.
Do I need an occlusive like petrolatum?
If you get overnight tightness or flaking, a thin occlusive layer over moisturiser can help significantly.
Sources
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Brand product pages (formulations/INCI and positioning): CeraVe, La Roche‑Posay, Kiehl’s, Vanicream, Dr. Jart+, Aveeno, Neutrogena, Eucerin, Bioderma, Paula’s Choice.
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Peer‑reviewed ingredient evidence (NCBI/ PubMed):
- Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in barrier repair: Elias PM. Stratum corneum defensive functions. J Invest Dermatol. PMID: 18558867. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18558867/
- Urea as NMF: Loden M. Urea in dermatology. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. PMID: 20620757. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20620757/
- Glycerin as a humectant: Fluhr JW et al. Glycerol and the skin. Br J Dermatol. PMID: 18489300. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18489300/
- Hyaluronic acid and skin hydration: Ghersetich I et al. Hyaluronic acid: key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. PMID: 24348817. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24348817/
- Dexpanthenol (panthenol) for barrier support: Ebner F et al. Dexpanthenol in skin disorders. Evidence and applications. J Cosmet Dermatol. PMID: 26361499. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26361499/