The Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin, Ever

What Ingredients Should You Look For?

When you’re choosing a face cream for dry skin, there are a few star ingredients you’ll want to look for—and hyaluronic acid is often considered to be the holy grail of hydrating ingredients. NYC Dermatologist Dr. Julia Tzu explains that this is because "hyaluronic acid binds a massive amount of water and is a naturally occurring biological substance. It gives skin a unique dewy, supple quality. Moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid are able to provide the surface of the skin with more than generous amounts of moisture." Want to take your glow up a notch? Face moisturizers made with natural seed oils are also a great choice. The fatty acids in ingredients like avocado oil and shea butter are a great place to start, as are ingredients high in vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin C.

What Texture Should You Look For?

You'll notice that not all moisturizers feel exactly the same. Night creams are often rich and thick while day creams are lighter and often almost weightless (so they work well under makeup). Some formulas feel like a watery gel while others are super emollient. The texture you pick will vary depending on your skin type and your skin concerns. "The oiler and more prone to breakouts the skin is, the lighter the skincare vehicle should be," says Dr. Tzu. "The thinner and drier the skin is, the thicker the skincare vehicle should be. Solutions, gels, and foams are the lightest, followed by creams, then ointments."

Now that you’re caught up on some key factors in choosing the right moisturizer, read on to discover some of our favorite formulas to help your dry skin.

The 18 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin

1. MURAD MURAD Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30  PA+++ 1.7 oz

Best for Glowing Summer Skin:

This lightweight moisturizer offers broad-spectrum protection with SPF 30, which is also the daily recommended SPF level according to dermatologists. It also has a healthy dose of vitamin C to help even out skin tone and boost glow, and ginkgo biloba leaf extract to shield skin from environmental aggressors.

"This product is PERFECT for sunny days," says Ipster liayykim. "It doesn't feel greasy and I love the smell."

2. SUNDAY RILEY ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream

Best for a Super Strong Moisture Barrier:

Never underestimate the power of ceramides. Dr. Tzu explains, "Ceramides are oils that are naturally produced by our skin, and they act as a natural barrier to prevent trans-evaporative water loss." Basically, ceramides help your skin retain moisture, so that all the skincare benefits stay locked into the upper layers of your skin. This cream formula goes all-in on this essential ingredient to get your skin healthy, hydrated, glowing.

One Ipster describes that as "the BEST moisturizer I’ve ever used." She adds, "Intense moisture that lasts without clogging pores or causing breakouts!"

3. GLOSSIER Priming Moisturizer Rich

Best Priming Moisturizer for Dry Skin:

Dehydrated skin in the AM can be tougher to deal with, especially if you’re wearing makeup. Rich creams are often too thick to apply under makeup and day creams may be too thin to really give you the moisture you need. The solution: this creamy moisturizer formulated with shea butter and murumuru butter. It flawlessly melts into skin leaving it soft, smooth and not the least bit greasy (AKA it’s a great prep step before makeup.)

"This is one of the most luxurious and rich moisturizers I’ve ever used," one Ipster says. "It works well as a primer for concealer as well as a moisturizer for dry areas for your face."

4. IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Cream

Best for a Noticeable Glow:

The ingredient list for this moisturizing lotion reads like a star-studded cast. In this formula, you'll find hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, vitamin E, collagen, a ceramide complex, and peptides—all powerful hydrators. Together they intensely moisturize, nourish, protect, plump fine lines and wrinkles, and noticeably boost your glow.

One Ipsters says "[This] left my skin feeling hydrated without making it oily or clogging my pores. I have sensitive skin so this moisturizer was def a great new find."

5. THANN Hydrating Emulsion

Best for Oily Skin:

If your skin is oil-prone or acne-prone, a non-greasy formula can make all the difference. This emulsion is ultra-lightweight and perfect for these two skin types, or anyone with sensitive or combination skin. It's also ideal for a hot day as it won't melt off.

"Such a silky velvety feel when you rub it on the skin," one Ipster writes. "It feels like it really did smooth out any lines I had."

6. BELIF The True Cream - Moisturizing Bomb

Best Multitasking Moisturizer:

If you can’t remember to use two separate moisturizers for day and night (we’ve been there), use this versatile product that works any time of day. The uniquely fluffy texture feels decadent like a night cream but absorbs quickly like a day cream. It uses an herbal remedy to detox and brighten skin, and will keep you fully moisturized all night and well into the next day.

"A little goes a long way," says Ipster peaches4ncsu. "Very lightweight and doesn’t feel oily at all."

7. AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin

Best Daily Moisturizer for all Skin Types:

This crowd-pleasing formula is packed with moisturizing ingredients like mineral-rich dead sea water, essential amino acids, and vitamins E and B5. Together, they nourish and condition all skin types leaving skin feeling silky smooth with zero residue left behind. 

"My face feels so soft and looks so youthful after using this product," one Ipster raves.

8. ONEKIND Dream Cream Nighttime Moisturizer

Best Night Cream:

We know it can feel like a pain to go through a multi-step skincare routine when you're tired, but taking the time to properly moisturize before bed can make a world of difference. Your blood flow increases at night which makes the products you apply even more effective. This cream infuses the skin with squalane, a non-comedogenic, plant-based oil, and rosehip oil which helps to boost skin cell renewal.

"Loved this moisturizer," says Ipster samsouv. "I can't believe how moisturized my face still felt in the morning!"

9. DR. OHKIMS+ Cica Peptide Cream

Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer:

This formula's secret to intense hydration is Centella Asiatica, a buzzy skincare ingredient that powerfully reduces inflammation, minimizes redness, and fortifies your skin’s protective barrier. It’s paired with squalane and milk proteins to plump up skin and instantly diminish the appearance of fine lines.

"I really like this cream and I use it as a 2-in-1 product," one Ipster writes. "When I use this, it is both a moisturizer and age repair cream. What could be better than getting two benefits from one product?"

10. H2O+ Oasis Ultra Hydrating Cream

Best Gel Moisturizer:

Looking for a light hit of hydration that still packs a punch? Here’s a water-gel formula that can quickly quench seriously thirsty skin. Thanks to moisture barrier-boosting ingredients like sea grass extract and water lily extract, you can essentially double your skin's hydration levels for a whopping 24 hours. This formula is proof that intensely hydrating formulas don't have to feel greasy or heavy.

"The smell made me feel like I was at a spa," says Ipster cmiller28. "I liked the pretty blue, gel-like feel. It was lightweight and made my skin feel refreshed."

11. YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream

Best for a Major Antioxidant Boost:

YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE takes buzzy superfoods and finds innovative (and sometimes surprising) ways to use them in skincare formulas. They’ve done just that by blending kale, green tea, and alfalfa with skincare all-stars hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Together they create a moisturizer that's packed with antioxidants to effectively fight free radicals and signs of aging. 

"This really is a nice one for a combination face," one Ipster says. "It doesn't feel oily or too dry and it's super light on your skin."

12. HEY HONEY Relax! Propolis & Honey Soothing Moisturizer

Best for Irritated Skin:

If your skin is sensitive or prone to skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and seborrhea, this gentle, irritant-free formula is an ideal pick. In addition to soothing superstar aloe vera, it also features honey and propolis, a resin found in beehives. Both honey and propolis have strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to immediately hydrate and calm skin.

"This stuff is great," says Ipster amarylis1983. "It feels refreshing when I first put it on and I definitely see my skin improving after using it every day now for several weeks. I use it with and without makeup."

13. SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream

Best for Fading Dark Spots:

If a bright, even skin tone is your top priority, turn to this richly textured moisturizing cream that's packed with an extra potent dose of vitamin C. Not only can vitamin C help to make your complexion appear more luminous, it also levels out the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

"[This is] perfect for winter and dull skin. It really does make you glow," one Ipster writes.

14. KATE SOMERVILLE® Wrinkle Warrior™ 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum

Best for Instantly Youthful Skin:

When you need all the skincare benefits in an easy step, this powerhouse product has your back. To hydrate, it uses a unique hyaluronic acid complex—but the beauty of this moisturizer is that it also comes with potent anti-aging benefits to fight specific types of wrinkles. Expect to see a noticeable improvement in your crow’s feet, fine lines, and deep lines.

"This is such an amazing must-have," says Ipster lily_rocks. "I love everything this serum provides for me, it’s so totally worth it. Lightweight and true to its word."

15. RE:P Phytocell Moisture Cica All

Best All-Natural Moisturizer:

If you like to keep their beauty cabinet green, give this clean formula a go. This hydrating moisturizer uses Centella Asiatica extract to reduce inflammation and redness and ceramides to powerfully lock hydration benefits in. The result: calm, hydrated skin that lasts all day long.

For one Ipster, this moisturizer provides instant results. "The moment I put it on, my skin glows and looks healthy and hydrated. Plus it smells great," she says.

16. PURLISSE BEAUTY Matcha Green Tea Antioxidant Priming Moisturizer

Best Priming Moisturizer for Mature Skin:

Whether you have mature skin and you want to minimize the appearance of fine lines before makeup, or you simply want to do what you can to keep them at bay, this lightweight formula can help. The star of the show here is green tea, a powerful antioxidant proven to help ward off environmental damage and promote a more youthful appearance. It also features white tea, vitamin E, and French marine plants to majorly hydrate and protect.

"This does great double duty for skin prep and priming. My sensitive skin does well with this and it does help my foundation stay in longer," one Ipster says.

17. CLINIQUE Moisture Surge 72 Hour

Best for Ultra-Long Lasting hydration:

If you’re looking for a dry skin moisturizer that’s super hydrating, smooth enough to wear under makeup, and perfect for any age, this gel-cream is a great bet. One of the key ingredients in CLINIQUE's formula is squalane, a molecule that your body produces naturally, but in progressively smaller amounts as you get older. It also comes with caffeine, which can temporarily reduce inflammation. The result? A supple skin feeling that’s rich without being heavy. Bonus: this facial moisturizer is fragrance-free, too, so it's safe for sensitive skin.

"Best moisturizer I have ever used," one Ipster raves. "I didn't need to moisturize for like 3 days!"

18. LANEIGE Water Bank Moisture Cream

Best for All-around Healthy Skin:

As the name might suggest, this rich cream moisturizer gives you a fresh-squeezed summer glow year-round. LANEIGE products use a unique Water Science™ technology with hydro-ionized mineral water to help your skin absorb and retain moisture. On top of that, this moisturizing cream is full of nourishing, replenishing minerals, like zinc, potassium, and calcium, as well as olive squalane to strengthen the natural skin barrier. It's like a multivitamin for your skin.

"I definitely felt hydrated," one Ipster says. "Great addition to your skincare routine! It applies light so it doesn't feel so thick–it's refreshing!"

Want in on all the IPSY Glam Bag fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.