If there’s one thing many of us can relate to, it’s the struggle to find a great moisturiser for dry skin. Not only does dehydration feel tight, itchy and uncomfortable, but it can also make applying foundation a real bugbear.
As someone who has mega-dry skin herself, I know my way around a good formula or two. But to really kick skin school into session, I’ve hit up the experts to share the only moisturising textbook you need.
The best moisturisers for dry skin at a glance
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner and Moisturiser
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The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer
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The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides
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What should you look for in a hydrating moisturiser?
When scanning the shelves for a good moisturiser, it’s important to pay attention to what’s inside the formula. 'A good hydrating cream will contain a mixture of moisturising ingredients: humectants, emollients and occlusives,' says Dr Jason Thomson, Head of Medical at Skin + Me.
Let’s begin with humectants. These are ingredients that draw moisture from the environment directly to the upper layers of your skin. While many variations aid hydration, there’s one that rises above.
'Hyaluronic acid is the key humectant,' says Dr Ash Soni, Plastic Surgeon and Aesthetics Doctor at GetHarley. Hyaluronic acid molecules can draw up to 1,000 times their weight in water, which makes them very effective at plumping out fine lines and tackling dehydration.
Next, we have occlusives; see these as a waterproof jacket for your skin, helping to seal in hydration and protect your barrier. You’ll likely see the term ‘skin barrier’ pop up when doing your moisturiser-related research, so it’s important to understand exactly what this means.
Your barrier is the outermost layers of your skin. When these layers are healthy, your skin feels soft and hydrated, but when they’re broken, it can lead to moisture loss and open the door to sensitivity. Calling upon a hard-working occlusive will help keep moisture sealed in and will defend your skin from external irritants (think cold winds or pollen).
Finally, emollients are skin softeners. Shea butter, oat, ceramides and coconut oil are great options for dry skin, suggests Dr Thomson. Emollients can especially help with sensitivity as they provide immediate comfort while helping to strengthen a compromised skin barrier.
So now you know your humectants from your occlusives, see the most effective hydrating formulas that have a place in my bathroom cupboard – and shop for your lucky winner.
The best moisturisers for dry skin 2024
How we test
Luckily, I've taken one for the team as I have very very dry skin, making myself the perfect candidate to put these creams to the test.
To come out with the top 15, I analysed everything from formula and texture to application and overall results. I noted how well the cream blended into the skin and how well it soothed my flaky and dry complexion.
The moisturisers chosen here are the ones that I would genuinely recommend to those who have dry skin – plus I believe each one is worth its price tag. Skincare can get expensive, so I've made sure that these tubes and bottles are a worthwhile investment.
Pros
- Supports the barrier function
- Absorbs quickly, leaving behind zero sticky residue
- Contains the right ingredients to hydrate and strengthen the skin
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Considered a little pricy
Medik8 knows how to perfect an INCI list, and its latest moisturiser is living proof. The Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream features a probiotic peptide that feeds the skin barrier and supports a healthy microbiome.
In layman's terms, it prevents moisture loss and protects the skin from pollutants. It also contains ceramides to rebuild a compromised barrier, making it a perfect choice for retinol-ragged skin or those with sensitivity.
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Pros
- Contains essential ceramides to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier
- Fragrance-free
- Affordable
- Recommended by dermatologists
Cons
- Some may find the formula too simple if looking for a moisturiser with active ingredients
By this point my bathroom is practically a shrine for CeraVe, and this skincare saviour sits right at the front of my collection.
I use it in so many ways: as a face moisturiser, on scaly elbows and knees, and even as a lip salve. Formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it'll soothe the driest of patches and keep the skin barrier in check.
Pros
- Combines the benefits of a toner and moisturiser
- Delivers plump and hydrated skin
- Absorbs quickly with zero residue
Cons
- Not suitable for very (very) dry skin
Hands down, this is one of my favourite moisturisers in my – rather giant – collection. If you're after juicy and mega-hydrated skin, this bottle of milky goodness is exactly what you need.
Cream Skin combines toner and moisturiser, conveniently streamlining your routine to moisturise, soothe and provide barrier support to your oh-so-important skin. Splash the fluid into your hands and pat in. It's refreshing, lightweight and game-changing; you'll never look back.
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Pros
- Strengthens and supports the skin barrier
- Affordable
- Fragrance-free
- Provides deep moisture
Cons
- It can pill if too much product is used alongside other products
The Inkey List's ceramide-pumped moisturiser is a must if your skin barrier is calling out an SOS. The restorative cream contains, as you'd guess, ceramides which hold skin cells together to form a strong and hydrated barrier.
In other words, if you're well stocked in ceramides, your skin won't only feel soft and healthy, but your complexion will appear unified and plump. I'll take 10.
Pros
- Offers effective, lightweight hydration
- Feels refreshing on the skin
- Affordable
Cons
- Formula isn't as advanced as others in this edit
E.l.f may be a leading name in high-street makeup, but the brand also has some stellar skincare. The Holy Hydration Face Cream is best suited for those who prefer lighter gel-like textures as opposed to claggy creams.
It's formulated with highly nourishing ingredients, including peptides and hyaluronic acid, yet still has a beautifully silky consistency that slips into the skin. And you can't beat the price tag.
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Pros
- Designed with a hygienic pump dispenser
- Mollifies very (very) dry and flaky skin
- Strengthens the skin barrier to reduce redness and irritation
Cons
- Expensive
The term 'barrier repair' is far more than a buzzword to Murad. For some time, the brand has understood the risks around overindulging in active skincare ingredients that can cause sensitivity and dehydration.
Case in point: the Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream, is designed with highly reactive skin types in mind, helping to transform a damaged skin barrier into one that's strong and hydrated.
Enriched with essential fatty acids and allantoin – an ingredient used to relieve irritation – the cream will moisturise your skin but at a much deeper level, working to repair damage from the inside out.
Especially when you've taken it too far with retinol, smoothing on this comforting cream feels like a real treat for the skin.
Pros
- Affordable
- Limited INCI list means less chance of irritation
- Contains La Roche-Posay's Thermal Spring Water to soothe irritated skin
- Non-comedogenic so it won't clog pores
Cons
- Some may prefer a more advanced formula with active ingredients
If you have sensitive skin, this tube should be a permanent fixture on your skincare shelf. With only 10 gentle ingredients in its formula, it works to flood your skin with hydration and restore your barrier too.
The plush cream acts like a protective plaster on sensitised zones, helping to calm a rosacea flare-up or a post-retinol freakout.
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Pros
- Contains ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier
- Provides long-lasting hydration
- A simple formula making it ideal for those with sensitive skin
Cons
- Not suitable if you're looking for active ingredients in your moisturiser
Ceramides are one of the best ingredients to enlist when you're battling a chronically dry complexion. They are a form of fatty acid naturally found in the skin, which will work to restore moisture and maintain a strong barrier.
The Ordinary's Natural Moisturising Factors cream is a great example of a ceramide-spiked formula that I keep close by in the dry-skin season. Alongside hyaluronic acid, ceramides deeply nourish the skin and provide a hydration hit that will last throughout the day.
Pros
- Recommended by dermatologists for eczema-prone skin
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Texture may be too thick to use under makeup
- Some may prefer a formula with active ingredients
E45's Face Moisturiser may look like something your GP would recommend to you, and that's because they do.
Thick but not greasy – and fragrance free – the cosseting cream helps to nourish and strengthen the skin barrier, while relieving tight and dehydrated patches.
It's also approved by dermatologists, making it suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types.
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Pros
- Has a comforting and rich consistency
- Contains squalane and ceramides for mega hydration
- Affordable
Cons
- Consistency may be too thick for those who prefer lighter textures
Thayer's Barrier Bestie Cream is a must-have for just about everyone – especially if you've ever picked up a bottle of retinol. The rich cream feels like a comforting hug on dry skin, wrapping it up in squalane and ceramides to moisturise and soothe irritation.
It's also a 'little bit goes a long way' type of formula, so I like that it's as kind to my skin as it is to my bank balance.
Pros
- Ultra-thick and nourishing texture for mega dry skin
- Contains pre- and pro-biotics to support the skin's microbiome
Cons
- Takes a little time to massage in
As a Yakult-a-day kind of kid, I’ve always been clued up on the benefits of probiotics – both for your gut health and for your skin. Until Tula jumped onto the scene, the conversation around probiotic skincare was pretty quiet. Today, it’s booming.
This rich moisturiser is a real treat for dehydrated skin. Its consistency is rich and creamy but it doesn’t feel like a claggy mask sitting on the skin.
Fortified with six pre- and pro-biotics, as well as squalane and peptides, it keeps your microbiome balanced (which helps protect against infection) and loads your skin barrier with hydration.
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Pros
- Contains bakuchiol, a retinol alternative, to smooth texture and pigmentation
- Helps to brighten and reduce the appearance of dark spots
- Glycerin and polyglutamic acid offer hydrating benefits
Cons
- Some ingredients aren't suited for sensitive skin, for example citric acid
Member's price: £49
Beauty Pie's Youthbomb repair cream is worth the Pie membership alone, in my opinion. The Breakthrough Repair Cream is one of the most advanced formulas I have tried in a while: it contains the brand's patented REGEN F-25 Complex which behaves as an anti-ageing ingredient, working to fade fine lines and pigmentation.
Alongside ingredients like peptides and polyglutamic acid, it will also keep skin wonderfully soft and supple. It's an investment, but one that's genuinely worth it.
Pros
- Suited for very (very) dry skin types
- Designed with a hygienic pump dispenser
- The triple lipid complex strengthens the skin's barriers
- Soothes irritated and sensitive skin
Cons
- Some may find the formula too thick
- Expensive
Skinfix's Barrier+ Peptide Cream is one of the best products you can find within the walls of Sephora. Whether you're fighting an eczema flare-up or a temperature drop has caused dryness, this cosseting cream acts like a comfort blanket to nourish distressed skin.
Plus, it comes with a nifty pump that dispenses the perfect amount of product. So please, go forth and stockpile before it sells out... again.
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Pros
- Affordable
- Claimed to deliver 72 hours of hydration
- Sunflower seed oil, desert lime extract, and rosehip oil hydrate and revitalise the skin
Cons
- Certain ingredients may cause sensitivity
You don't need to spend a fortune to keep habitually dry skin moisturised. This simple moisturiser delivers up to 72 hours of hydration, thanks to its hard-working trio of sunflower seed oil, desert lime extract and rosehip oil.
Often the best moisturisers for dry skin come in pots, but I like that this one comes in a super-handy (and hygienic) tube so you can top up on the go.
Pros
- Provides lasting hydration, ideal for very dry skin types
- Leaves skin feeling plump and hydrated
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Has a very thick consistency which can leave behind a sticky residue
All of Glossier's serums and moisturising products are ace, but if you've got super-dry skin, you need the occlusive-rich After Baume.
Using a cocktail of plant-based ingredients including glycerin, cupuaçu butter, babassu oil and more, it helps to reinforce your moisture barrier, and seal the hydration in for 24 hours.
And, it's so versatile that it can be used on your nose crevices, elbows, knees and other dry areas. What more can you ask for?
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How often should you apply moisturiser?
If you really struggle with a parched complexion, it may take a little more consideration than slapping on a claggy cream. 'It’s best to moisturise twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening,' says Dr Soni.
'I’d also apply your moisturiser right after washing your face as this helps to trap water in the skin.' He advises using tepid water rather than hot, to avoid causing additional dehydration.
'It’s also worth making sure the rest of your skincare routine is geared towards looking after dry skin,' says Dr Thomson. 'This means using a gentle, hydrating cleanser and avoiding any powerful active ingredients that may damage your skin barrier.'
