The Best Face Moisturizers To Soothe Your Dry, Sensitive Skin
If you suffer from dry, sensitive skin, trying to find the best moisturizer that can offer much-needed hydration without irritating side-effects can often leave you feeling like Goldilocks. The right product has to be effective but not greasy, you want it to moisturize without making your face sting, etc. Trust us: when it comes to thirsty skin, we understand the struggle. Typically if you suffer from sensitive skin your skin barrier is already compromised, which leaves you more prone to dryness. “Sensitive skin is less resilient to challenges to the skin barrier, and when the pH is off balance or chemicals leak through, cytokines are released, which results in inflammation (like red, dry, itchy skin),” says Dr. Jessie Cheung, MD, dermatologist at Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness in Chicago.
Although it can be frustrating to slather on skincare products your friends swear by only to be left with harsh side effects, it doesn’t mean the situation is hopeless. In order to restore hydration without redness, stinging, or irritation, Dr. Cheung recommends reaching for moisturizers that contain ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids that work to repair your skin’s moisture barrier. You’ll also want to steer clear of face creams that contain fragrances, preservatives, and sodium laurel sulfate, since irritants will further “dry out your skin.”
The good news? A plethora of moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin are available to help nourish your complexion. If you don’t know where to start, you’re in luck. We rounded up the best of the best face moisturizers-- in fact, the first eight items that top our list were all highly praised by our trusted Ipster community from past Glam Bags. Read on and get ready to reap the benefits of a soft, smooth complexion with one of the best moisturizers for dry skin.
1. MURAD Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
This lightweight moisturizer is a major savior for dry, sensitive skin and delivers an ample dose of hydration without the worry of harmful parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. It’s also a favorite facial cream among our trused Ipster community. “This moisturizing cream leaves my face soft and very fresh, I recommend it 100%,” raves one review. Another says: “This moisturizer really helped my dry skin!”
2. IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Gel Lotion Moisturizer
Clinically-tested and proven to deliver much-needed hydration for even the most sensitive of skin types, this lightweight moisturizer is light as water and serves up a major dose of nourishing ingredients sensitive skin craves, like ceramides and cactus flower extract, and it’s loved by our trusted Ipsters. “It does well on my dry skin,” says one fan. “It didn’t disappoint. Feels light and clean while totally moisturizing,” says another.
3. AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin
This oil-free moisturizer is packed with nourishing ingredients (like amino acids and vitamins E and B5) that work together to strengthen your skin’s barrier and lock in hydration, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth without irritation. “Thick and good for dry/very dry skin,” says one Ipster. Another raves: “This is my absolute favorite facial moisturizer! I use it every morning after my shower and under my makeup. Best ever!”
5. IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Redness Sensitive Skin Moisturizer
This redness-relieving ultra-repair cream was specifically crafted for dry, sensitive skin and serves up a nourishing dose of ingredients including colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, turmeric, peptides, and collagen for your skin to drink in. “Colloidal oatmeal decreases redness and inflammation by boosting the gene expression for skin barrier repair and pH balance,” says Dr. Cheung.
The result? A moisturized, balanced complexion our Ipsters can’t get enough of. “Very impressed with this. Great moisturizer and indeed did make the redness in certain spots of my face less noticeable,” says one review. “Where has this been my whole life? Felt very nice on my skin and didn’t leave it red like most other moisturizers do,” says another.
6. GLOSSIER Priming Moisturizer Rich
If flaky dry patches are your problem, this moisturizer is like a miracle in a jar. This rich cream delivers the building blocks your skin needs to strengthen the outer barrier and retain moisture, leaving you with a nourished complexion. It serves up ceramides, fatty acids, murumuru and shea butter that relieve dryness without leaving you with irritated skin. “I have patchy skin, where my t-zone is oily but the rest of my face is dry. This worked wonders for my skin, I love it,” says one Ipster. Another raves: “My face is very dry and sometimes it's hard to find a true ‘cream’- this is it! Perfect!”
7. GOLDFADEN MD Vital Boost Even Skintone Daily Moisturizer
Founded by a dermatologist who worked in the field for over 40 years, this results-driven skin cream is ideal for sensitive skin and delivers an ample dose of antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and hyaluronic acid. “This is a great moisturizer, which is difficult for me to find since I have sensitive skin,” says one Ipster. “This cream is a wonder cream. It makes a makeup-free day feasible for me,” says another.
8. PURLISSE BEAUTY Blue Lotus Balancing Moisturizer
If you’re looking for a hydrating moisturizer to wear under makeup, look no further than this potent yet lightweight formula that’s packed with white tea and Vitamin E and glides on without leaving behind residue. “Amazing! Absorbed quickly. Will use the whole tube and get more. Great stuff for my dry skin,” says one Ipster. “Lightweight, non-clogging, heavy duty moisturizer. I have sensitive skin. Love it! I can use morning and night, absorbs quickly, leaves skin soft, not greasy or sticky,” says another.
9. ÉVOLUÉ SKINCARE INC. Day and Night Cream Normal and Sensitive
This skin-soothing formula delivers much-needed hydration and reduces signs of irritation, making it a suitable choice for sensitive skin. Use a pea-sized amount day and night to reap the benefits of a dewy complexion.
10. H2O+ Hydration Sensitive Gel Cream Moisturizer
Created specifically for sensitive skin, this non-irritating water cream combats redness, discomfort, and dryness, all while delivering soothing hydration to keep your skin feeling soft and looking healthy thanks to skin repair technology that protects the surface of your skin from stress-induced irritation and an ample dose of amino acids.
Achieving healthy skin shouldn’t be stressful and moisturizing your skin shouldn’t leave you looking like you just suffered an allergic reaction–it’s all about finding a nourishing formula that can repair and protect your skin without further aggravating it. If you’re looking for a trusted moisturizer to add to your skincare routine that can hydrate without leaving behind redness or irritation, look no further than these Ipster favorites that received glowing reviews for good reason.
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