The Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin That We Tested

CeraVe is a household name touted by dermatologists, and it sure lives up to the hype. We applied it twice a day and noticed a change in just one day of using it, as our flakes were gone, itchiness relieved, and our skin soft and supple. It even lasted through one round of hand-washing, attesting to its endurance.

For those of us with sensitive skin or eczema, it never stung or irritated our skin. We were pleasantly surprised to see that it was rich enough to really nourish without being sticky or greasy under makeup. The buttery texture, however, means you have to be careful about not overdoing application when you’re layering it under makeup.

The formula uses ceramides, which retain moisture and restore skin, glycerin, which draws moisture into the skin, and petrolatum, an occlusive that seals it all in, to prevent the water loss that causes dryness and protect the skin barrier.

Despite the thick consistency, it absorbs quickly; we also liked that it could be used all over our body so we applied it on our hands, arms, and legs as well. Our skin felt super hydrated for hours after the first application. The price can’t be beat and for the quality and amount you get, CeraVe really gives pricier moisturizers a run for their money.

Our only qualm was that the cream is so rich that a pump dispenser might not be the best for it; a slightly thinner consistency or different dispenser style would make getting it out easier.

Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid

La Roche-Posay is a favorite brand, and we can stand behind that: We liked this moisturizer so much that it also topped our list of the best drugstore moisturizers we’ve ever tested. Despite it being oil-free, it leaves behind a natural, dewy finish, like the glow of a nice sunscreen on the skin—without that notorious filmy feeling of typical sunscreens.

We tested this in the fall, and over the course of two weeks, noticed that our skin slowly looked more even-toned and hydrated than it usually does in the crisp cold of autumn. This is most likely due to the niacinamide in the formula, which refines skin texture, reduces discoloration, and strengthens the skin barrier to prevent water loss, and in turn, dryness. The formula includes squalane as well, which softens skin.

Our skin also felt incredibly smooth and silky—no flakiness, redness, or irritation detected. That said, because of the SPF, it does sting if it gets into your eyes, so be careful when rubbing it around that area. One morning application lasted all day, and we liked that the moisturizer never veered into greasy territory.

While we absolutely love that this is dual purpose with the addition of SPF, it does mean that the moisturizer is unsuitable for use at night and you’ll need a separate cream for your night skincare routine.

Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, niacinamide, ceramide 3, glycerin, squalane

The texture and finish of this cream was one of our favorites. There was a lovely smoothness to the cream and it absorbed quickly, leaving our skin soft, silky, and with a dewy glow, without feeling sticky. It was both lightweight and creamy, and spread easily on our face like softened butter.

What we liked best was how well the cream combatted dryness. Before using this, we dealt with severe dryness around the eyelids, nose, and lips, thanks to a drying acne cleanser.

Once we applied the moisturizer, we noticed that not only did it reduce redness and irritation, but its enduring hydration helped soothe those sensitive areas of dryness on our face overnight, making it the perfect night cream. Upon waking up, our faces still felt moisturized. This checks out, since one of the cream’s claims is that it provides up to 72 hours of hydration.

The moisturizer uses 4.5% squalane and glacial glycoprotein, a natural compound derived from Antarctic glaciers, known for protecting the skin from cold and dryness and providing long-lasting hydration.

We did feel that the cream is rather pricey for the amount you get in the jar. However, the quality and feel are factors that make it worth the investment.

Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Squalane, glacial glycoprotein

For very dry skin, we thought this was one of the best moisturizers that we’ve ever used. Upon immediate application, our faces looked like they’d had eight glasses of water. It was like our heavily parched skin had just received a shot of extreme hydration; we loved how refreshed and revitalized we looked. Plus, the additional hydration helped our makeup go on better, which is a boon for flaky skin.

The texture is thick and luscious, yet didn’t leave us looking greasy. Due to its richness, it does take about five minutes for the cream to fully absorb into the skin. It also took us a beat to figure out exactly how much we needed since it comes in a jar, and using too much left residue, making it harder to completely rub in.

Regardless, the cream worked immediately, felt great, and very quickly became a staple in our routine. It’s dermatologist-tested and formulated with colloidal oatmeal, which relieves itchiness and irritation, allantoin, which calms and soothes, and shea butter, which locks everything in.  We didn’t experience any sensitivity and especially liked that the cream is fragrance-free.

We’ll definitely keep using this, especially in the dead of winter, when our faces feel like they’re about to flake off. Dry skin is drying on its own, but when you need an extra kick, this moisturizer’s rich, luxe texture perfectly fills in those gaps.

Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, shea butter

We didn’t expect to fall in love with a gel moisturizer for dry skin, but this pleasantly surprised us. It’s been derm- and allergy-tested; in fact, our most sensitive-skinned tester—whose skin usually reacts to everything—had no issues.

We also loved that the moisturizer had no scent at all, minimizing the risk of irritation or reaction. Compared to the other moisturizers on this list, the aloe-infused formula is extremely lightweight and feels like a splash of water. It absorbs into the skin very quickly and we noticed a difference in texture after a few consistent uses: Our faces felt softer and smoother sans greasiness.

Since it’s not a creamy moisturizer, the finish is non-heavy, clean, and dewy, and disappears into the skin—as long as you don’t overdo the application. The formula includes aloe, which calms and hydrates, hyaluronic acid for plumping and smoothing, and vitamins E and C, which help give antioxidant protection against environmental stressors that can dry out skin even more.

A little goes a long way, which is good news because the bottle is on the smaller side and the price might make you blink twice. Since you don’t need a lot, though, we think you can easily stretch the jar for a long time.

Formulation: Gel | Key Ingredients: Aloe bioferment, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E