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Dry skin is characterized by a lack of moisture and natural oils that results in a compromised skin barrier.
One of the main characteristics of dry skin is the reduced production of sebum. This makes the skin more prone to moisture loss, leading to dryness and dehydration.
If you have dry skin, you know it can be a persistent challenge, causing discomfort, flakiness, and a lackluster complexion. Fortunately, there is a wide range of moisturizers available specifically formulated to target dry skin concerns and provide optimal hydration.
In this article, we offer you a list of the best face moisturizers for dry skin, from rich creams to lightweight lotions, including vegan and sensitive skin-friendly options.
What are the best face moisturizers for dry skin?
1. Bioderma Hydrabio Crème Rich Moisturising Care
This moisturizer is a game-changer in the world of skincare. Not only is it lightweight, but it deeply hydrates your skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple.
It’s one of the best facial moisturizers for dry skin because it contains a patented complex called Aquagenium, which helps to stimulate the skin’s natural hydration process and restore the ability to retain that moisture.
This unique and enriched formula also contains:
- vitamin PP strengthens and protects the skin
- apple seed extract to stimulate natural skin hydration
- salicylic acid to eliminate dead cells, soften and brighten the complexion
- vitamin E for an antioxidant action that combats damaging external factors
This rich, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and paraben-free formula makes it a great skincare product for dry to very dry sensitive skin.
2. Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe is well-known for its moisturizing products with ceramides. Like most of their products, this lotion is formulated with 3 essential ceramides (ceramide 1, 3, and 6-II), which help restore and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
This barrier plays a crucial role in protecting the skin and retaining moisture, making this lotion perfect for dry skin, although suitable for all skin types.
This simple but effective formula also contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which further enhance its moisturizing properties, resulting in long-lasting hydration and comfort.
One of the best Cerave products its formula is dermatologist-approved and is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, which means it is suitable for sensitive skin.
With an effective formula, a lightweight texture, and a reasonable price, it’s a top choice for a facial moisturizer with SPF.
TIP: Read our post, if you want to know how long it takes for hyaluronic acid to work.
3. Vichy Mineral 89 72h Moisture Boosting Rich Cream
Following the famous Vichy Mineral 89 Serum, you can now try the cream version, also formulated with Vichy’s signature Mineralizing Water, rich in 15 essential minerals that help to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
Containing hyaluronic acid, squalene, and vitamins B and E with antioxidant action, it leaves the skin more hydrated, comfortable, luminous, plumped, and overall healthier.
Its rich, velvety texture envelops the skin in a layer of deep hydration that lasts for 72h, making it perfect for dry or dehydrated skin, including the most sensitive ones.
In addition, it has a non-comedogenic formula, free of silicones and dyes. If you are looking for a reliable moisturizer for your dry skin, this is a top Vichy product that you must consider.
4. Dr Grandel Hydro Active Moisturizer
This moisturizer is a game-changer for those looking for a deeply hydrating cream suitable for daily use.
One of the key ingredients in this product is hyaluronic acid. This powerful ingredient is a natural humectant, helping to retain moisture and plumping the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
It also contains ceramides, lipids that occur naturally in the skin, and play an important role in maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. This way, you can protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Finally, it contains brown algae oligosaccharides, microalgae amino acids, and sea-water, which provide intensive moisturization.
Its creamy and easily absorbed formula is ideal for dry to combination skin.
Read our post, if you want to discover the best tinted moisturizers.
5. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Dry Skin
A skincare product for dry skin, this is a top facial moisturizer that offers hydration and anti-aging benefits.
It’s riched in hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps to keep it hydrated and plump. It also contains saponin, which helps to stimulate the skin’s production of hyaluronic acid.
This combination results in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles and more hydrated, luminous, and plump skin. And with SPF15+ helps to protect the skin from the damage and aging caused by UV rays.
With a creamy texture and a fragrance-free and paraben-free formula, this cream is ideal for dry skin, including sensitive skin.
You might be interested in: The best anti-aging moisturizers for mature skin.
6. Uriage Xémose Face Cream
This is not your average moisturizer. It is specially formulated for those with very dry or eczema-prone skin.
The secret to its effectiveness lies in its powerful blend of ingredients, including Uriage Thermal Water, Shea Butter, and Ceramides.
- Uriage’s Thermal Water is rich in minerals and trace elements and has been clinically proven to soothe and hydrate the skin;
- Shea butter is known for its nourishing and moisturizing properties, which help to soften the skin;
- Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids in the skin that strengthen the skin barrier.
With everyday use, this facial moisturizer not only hydrates for a long time but it also helps to calm irritation, redness, and itchiness and softens the skin.
Fragrance and paraben-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, this is perfect for very dry or sensitive skin, babies, and children. And, one of the best face moisturizers for skin with eczema.
If you suffer from body eczema, then you need to know the the best body washes for eczema.
7. Skinceuticals Emollience Moisturizing Repair Cream
This high-end cream is packed with nourishing ingredients that work together to provide deep hydration and repair damage caused by environmental stressors.
One of its key ingredients is shea butter, rich in fatty acids and vitamins, known for its hydrating and healing properties. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to soothe irritated skin.
It also contains algae extracts, rich in antioxidants and minerals, to protect the skin from free radical damage and promote healthy cell growth.
Also, the essential oils in this moisturizer, like lavender and rosemary, provide additional benefits to the skin, like antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action.
Its non-comedogenic formula makes it ideal for normal to dry skin, including sensitive skin.
Overall, this is one of the best and most premium face moisturizers that will hydrate and repair their skin.
8. Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer
Simple, effective, and affordable! Cetaphil is known for its gentle and mild formulations, and this moisturizer is no exception.
Often recommended by dermatologists as a reliable and effective option for daily moisturization, it contains a blend of 6 moisturizing agents and vitamins E and B5.
These ingredients work together to provide intense hydration and nourishment to the skin throughout the whole day.
Its formula is also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, therefore ideal for sensitive or sensitized skin.
9. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Riche Rich Moisturizing Cream
This moisturizer is specially formulated to provide deep hydration to the skin, without causing any irritation or discomfort.
One of the key ingredients in this formula is shea butter, known for its ability to deeply moisturize and nourish the skin.
It also contains glycerin, which is a powerful and natural humectant that helps to plump and draw moisture into the skin.
It also contains probiotics, niacinamide, and La Roche-Posay Thermal Water! This great formula with high tolerance leaves the skin calm, regenerated, and moisturized for up to 48 hours.
It is preservative, paraben, and fragrance-free, thus perfect for dry and sensitive skin.
Related article: The best sunscreens for dry skin.
10. ISDIN Isdinceutics Hyaluronic Moisture Cream
This moisturizer is specifically designed for those who want to combat signs of aging.
It has a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It’s also packed with collagen-boosting peptides that are responsible for improving the skin’s elasticity and firmness. And the vitamin B5 soothes and calms the skin.
According to the tests conducted by the brand on 30 women with all skin types, after 4 weeks of use, 100% felt immediate hydration, 97% soft and revitalized skin, and 93% more luminous and fresh skin.
TIP: Find the best and most effective anti-aging creams and products in our website at unbeatable prices.
11. Jowaé Kumquat Moisturizing Overnight Recovery Cream-Mask
If you’re looking for a deeply hydrating overnight cream treatment for your dry skin, the Jowaé Cream-Mask is a great option for you.
With a combination of kumquat extract, antioxidant Lumiphenols, and papaya extract, it offers deep hydration, nourishment, and antioxidant action, which brightens and rejuvenates the skin.
According to the study conducted by the brand on 22 volunteers, 100% felt the skin rehydrated, and 91% reported more energized skin in the morning.
Containing 96% natural ingredients and with a non-comedogenic formula, this is indicated for all skin types, including sensitive ones.
Jowaé Kumquat Overnight is a high-quality cream mask that makes it a top-rated moisturizer for dry skin faces.
12. Filorga Nutri-Filler Nutri-Replenishing Cream
This moisturizer is formulated to deeply nourish and replenish the skin, thanks to a blend of shea butter, argan oil, and a complex of amino acids and minerals.
It also features Filorga’s NCEF to provide comprehensive revitalization and nourishment to the skin. This formula is riched in:
- hyaluronic acid
- vitamins
- amino acids
- coenzymes
- among other ingredients,
This super formula also contains collagen-boosting peptides to help plump the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture and firmness.
With a rich, creamy, non-greasy texture and all these hydrating and anti-aging benefits, this cream is perfect for dry and mature skin.
Read also: What are the best anti-aging neck-firming creams?
13. Clinique Moisture Surge 100h Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Designed to provide immediate and long-lasting hydration to the skin for 100 hours, this moisturizer is great for dry or temporarily dehydrated skin.
Clinique’s Auto-Replenishing Technology helps the skin create its own internal water source in order to continually rehydrate itself, which supports the natural moisture barrier of the skin.
Containing caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera, it has a plumping action that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to improve overall texture and radiance.
This formula is oil-free, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free, making it suitable for all skin types, but perfect for dry skin.
The best part is that it is also very versatile since it can be used as:
- a daily moisturizer
- an overnight mask for intense hydration
- a refreshing face mask for a quick boost of hydration
14. Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra S.O.S Intense Moisturizing Cream
This facial moisturizer for dry skin offers intense and long-lasting hydration, thanks to the organic grape water and grape seed oil, which help to replenish moisture and restore the skin’s natural hydration balance.
With chamomile and antioxidant-rich grape polyphenols, this cream also has soothing and calming properties, reducing redness, irritation, and discomfort.
The grapevine polyphenols also contain antioxidant action that protects the skin from environmental stressors, preventing premature aging.
Caudalie is known for its commitment to clean beauty and formulating products without potentially harmful ingredients. This cream has a vegan formula with 97% natural ingredients and is free from parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, and synthetic fragrances.
This way, it’s perfect for dry sensitive skin, or skin prone to redness or irritation.
TIP: Read “The best Caudalie products” and find other moisturizing creams for dry skin.
15. Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Cell Renewal Cream
If you want to combine hydrating and anti-aging benefits, this moisturizer is a great option.
With a combination of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, it moisturizes deeply and plumps the skin, while also calming, regenerating, and brightening the skin.
It also contains Haritaki fruit extract with further anti-aging properties.
This rich moisturizer cream will reduce and prevent wrinkles and dark spots, leaving your skin luminous, rejuvenated, and, of course, hydrated.
With a vegan formula, with 92% natural ingredients, it is ideal for dry skin with signs of aging, including sensitive skin.
Curiosity: Did you know that Av|ene Hyaluron is one of the best face moisturizers for black skin?
16. Filorga Hydra-Hyal Hydrating Plumping Cream
This moisturizer boosts hydration, plumps, smoothes, and protects the skin due to its powerful formula that packs:
- 5 types of hyaluronic acid
- aloe vera
- glycerin
- vitamin E
The hyaluronic acid works to hydrate all layers of the skin and plump it, reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
The aloe vera, glycerin, and vitamin E provide an antioxidant action. This antioxidant action is also an anti-aging action because it protects the skin from the damage caused by external factors, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and calming action.
The cream absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and firm. Users have reported that their skin looked plumper and more youthful after using this moisturizer consistently.
With a light fragrance and a dermatologically tested formula, it’s perfect for normal to dry skin with signs of aging.
Read also: The best BB creams for dry skin.
How to choose the best moisturizer for a dry skin face?
Finding the right moisturizer is crucial for maintaining healthy and hydrated skin. With so many options to choose from, finding the best product for your skin can be challenging, especially if you have dry skin. So, here are a few tips:
- Opt for hydrating ingredients: such as glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, pantenol or others. There are also some ingredients you may want to avoid if your skin is sensitive, like fragrances or harsh ingredients;
- Choose according to your needs: Some moisturizers target specific needs, such as wrinkles, dullness, or redness, for example. Choose a moisturizer that will hydrate and target other concerns at the same time;
- Some people prefer a gel-like texture, others a rich texture or even a fluid: choose something that will work well with your skincare routine and that you are comfortable using every day.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of options out there: whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly, vegan, luxurious, simple, or anti-aging option, there is always the most suitable and the best face moisturizer for dry skin.
We hope we’ve made it easier for you to choose your next facial moisturizer and that you are ready to hydrate and care for your skin every day.