Top-Performing Creams for Thirsty Complexions, According to Our Testing
Discovering the perfect moisturizer for dry skin can be a daunting task, but we're here to help. If your skin is always parched and struggling, you need a good moisturizer – no question about it. And while it's essential to consider your unique skin concerns and the type of finish you prefer (whether you're into matte, lightweight, or dewy), finding that ideal fit isn't rocket science.
Lucky for you, we've spent countless hours testing and using various moisturizers so that you don't have to. From creamy dreamy formulas to lightweight elixirs, here are our top picks for hydrating dry skin in all seasons.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($20) – This winning product hydrates deeply with essential ceramides, restoring your skin's natural barrier. Thick and creamy, this babies yeah! is easily absorbed, sparing you from that sticky, greasy feeling under makeup. Use it on both your face and body – it's like a drink of water for your thirsty skin. Our only qualm? The thick consistency may make a pump dispenser a tad tricky.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV ($24) – With SPF 30, this is your ideal daytime moisturizer providing a natural, dewy glow without that typical sunscreen filmy feel. The formula's packed with prebiotic thermal water, niacinamide, ceramide 3, glycerin, and squalane, which all conspire to leave your skin looking more even and feeling super smooth and silky, even in the chilliest of weather.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream ($39) – If you're after a luxurious, lightweight cream that soothes severe dryness around sensitive areas, look no further. This product delivers by reducing redness and providing long-lasting hydration, perfect for use at night.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream ($26) –This rich, nourishing cream quickly works its magic on dry skin, banishing flakiness and itchiness, and leaving you with a soft, smooth complexion. The formula is fragrance-free, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. But tread carefully – overapply this bad boy, and you might find yourself with a bit of residue on your skin.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Hydrator ($86) – For those who crave a hydrating gel cream, look no further. This hypoallergenic formula absorbs quickly, providing deep moisture without irritation, thanks to the absence of fragrance. Recommended for those with sensitive skin, this gel formula offers a clean, lightweight hydration experience. The only downside? The price may feel steep for the amount you receive.
Final Verdict
Dry skin is demanding, and we've found the cream and gel formulas that truly cater to its needs. But if we had to pick just one, our top choice is the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. With ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid combining forces, this moisturizer delivers deep hydration while restoring your skin's natural barrier. Smooth, soft, and supple – what more could you ask for?
And for extremely parched skin that requires an extra hydration boost, the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream will revitalize your skin with enduring hydration, nourishing it intensely while keeping it non-greasy.
Tips for Shopping Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Ingredients
When shopping for moisturizers for dry skin, look for humectants, essential for drawing moisture into your skin, and emollients, which help repair your skin barrier, soften, and nourish. Griffin suggests keeping an eye out for humectants like hyaluronic acid and lactic acid, plus emollients like lipids, oils, colloidal oatmeal, and shea butter.
If you've got acne-prone dry skin, be mindful of oils, as they could lead to clogged pores. However, some oils, like fatty alcohols such as cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, and propylene glycol, actually aid in moisturizing the skin, so don't be too afraid of the word "alcohol."
Thomas, a cosmetic chemist, recommends keeping an eye out for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides in your moisturizers. Three main ingredients in our top pick, the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, make it a formidable force in the fight against dry skin.
Skin Concerns
Consider your additional skincare requirements besides dryness when shopping for a moisturizer to ensure you find a product that tackles your concerns while also hydrating your skin.
- For dry, acne-prone skin, opt for a non-comedogenic formula that won't clog your pores.
- If you're battling redness, eczema, or sensitive skin, look for calming ingredients such as niacinamide, tea tree extract, green tea extract, or aloe vera to help soothe your skin.
- If hyperpigmentation or stubborn spots are your nemesis, aim for a moisturizer with brightening ingredients like niacinamide or one containing SPF to help even out your skin tone.
Pro Tip
Our article was written by Nusrat Sultana, an editor for Real Simple with six years of experience under her belt covering lifestyle and beauty, particularly K-beauty and Japanese skincare. As someone with combination skin, she understands the challenges of finding the perfect moisturizer. She adores Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream and the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, our best nighttime and best daily picks, respectively.
- The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, priced at $20, deeply hydrates with essential ceramides, restoring the skin's natural barrier and being easily absorbed without leaving a sticky or greasy feeling.
- The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV, priced at $24, provides a natural, dewy glow with SPF 30, making it an ideal daytime moisturizer.
- The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, priced at $39, is a luxurious, lightweight cream that soothes severe dryness around sensitive areas and reduces redness.
- The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, priced at $26, quickly works its magic on dry skin, banishing flakiness and itchiness, and leaving a soft, smooth complexion.
- The Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Hydrator, priced at $86, is a hypoallergenic formula that absorbs quickly, providing deep moisture without irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
- When shopping for moisturizers for dry skin, keep an eye out for humectants like hyaluronic acid and lactic acid, as well as emollients like lipids, oils, colloidal oatmeal, and shea butter.
- If you have dry, acne-prone skin, opt for a non-comedogenic formula that won't clog your pores. If you're battling redness, eczema, or sensitive skin, look for calming ingredients such as niacinamide, tea tree extract, green tea extract, or aloe vera.
- If hyperpigmentation or stubborn spots are your nemesis, aim for a moisturizer with brightening ingredients like niacinamide or one containing SPF to help even out your skin tone.
