Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin [Review] in 2022
written by nail expert Jess Rowley
Cetaphil moisturizing cream
TOP CHOICE
Neutrogena Hydro boost gel
OUR PICK
Cerave moisturizing cream
RUNNER UP
Looking for the best moisturizer for your skin type?
If you have dry skin, this one’s for you. I’ve combed the web to find out everything you need to know about the best moisturizers for dry skin.
I’ve spent 5 hours exploring the web, reviewing different moisturizers, and comparing products to compile this list so you can find the best moisturizer for dehydrated skin.
When your regular moisturizer just doesn’t cut it for you anymore, it can be tough to find good quality products that won’t irritate your dry skin.
This is where it gets good.
I’ve scanned every moisturizer on this list to ensure they meet your expectations for ingredients, quality, absorption, and thickness, so you know your skin is getting the treatment it needs and get that smooth, hydrated skin.
If you’re looking for a value for money, good all-round moisturizer that has good ingredients, check out my number 3, it’s my favorite, I always make sure to have one at home so I never run out.
Here’s a tip- If your skin is getting dry, opt for a cream product rather than a lotion, as they tend to be thicker and heavier for increased moisture.
Scroll through this list to find your next favorite moisturizer, your skin will thank you for it!
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A Review of the Best Moisturizer for Very Dry Skin
Cetaphil moisturizing cream
If you’re looking for a moisturizer that does it all, stop here.
 The Cetaphil Moisturizing cream is ideal if you want the moisture with a light, non greasy feel. It’s perfect for those who have damaged their skin’s natural barrier, for example in sunburn, or who have very dry, sensitive skin.
I love that the Cetaphil cream has an all-in-one approach, meaning you can use this for your body and your face. It gives extra hydration to those dry parts such as elbows and knees that can sometimes become cracked and painful. Â
But wait let me tell you about this.
An extremely important feature of the Cetaphil is that it is fragrance-free and paraben-free, so it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. This makes it great if you have sensitive skin as well. No wonder it is recommended by dermatologists!
What more can I say? Cetaphil is a strong hydrating cream that promises to deliver 24-hour relief from dry skin and restore the skin’s barrier. From the over 50,000 five-star reviews, I’d say it does the job pretty well. Enriched with sweet almond oil and vitamin E, A clean formula your skin will love, and value for money, it’s a winner!
Click on the blue button below to take a look for yourself!
- Paraben and fragrance-free
- Suitable for body and face
- 24-hour relief from dry skin
- Clinically tested for sensitive skin
- Some people prefer pump container
Latest deal: Cetaphil moisturizing cream
Neutrogena Hydro boost gel
Treat yourself to the Neutrogena Hydro boost gel for your next facial moisturizer.
The Neutrogena gel provides an easily absorbed hydration that has hyaluronic acid for a boost of moisture. It’s light enough that you can wear it daily, but will still lock in moisture for a smooth skin finish.
This gel moisturizer is ideal for keeping your face super hydrated. The hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the skin and works with water to trap moisture in the skin’s barrier. This means that although it is a lightweight formula, it performs double duty in richness and relieving intense dryness for a long time so you won’t even know it’s there.
But that’s not the best part.
The Neutrogena gel is very good for people with sensitive skin, as it has a clean formula. That means no nasties such as fragrance, dye, or oil and it has been tested by dermatologists too. Plus a non-comedogenic formula means it won’t clog your pores despite the richness, meaning no breakouts.
Whether you’re looking for the best face moisturizer dry skin or your next favorite day cream to wear under makeup, the Neutrogena gel boost is your next go -to. Easy to slip on with all-day lock-in hydration and essential hyaluronic acid we’ll be taking this everywhere.
Have you added this one to your basket yet?
- Hyaluronic acid
- Lightweight, rich gel formula
- Fragrance free and dye free
- Non comedogenic
- Heavy packaging
Latest deal: Neutrogena Hydro boost gel
Cerave moisturizing cream
This is my all-time favorite best dry skin moisturizer.Â
The Cerave moisturizer comes in the option of a cream or a lotion, making it ideal for all skin types but the cream, especially for dry skin. The Cerave is perfect if you want a gentle daily moisturizer, and can be used for your face or your body, so you can save your coins.
This moisturizer comes with hyaluronic acid which provides intense hydration and maintains the skin’s moisture levels. This in turn contributes to the barrier function of the skin, so you get a healthy glow and reduced fine lines.
But that’s not all.
The best part about Cerave is that it has essential ceramides that are found in the skin and in the lipid barrier. That means you know you can trust what’s in the product, knowing it has exactly what your skin needs to maintain and restore the barrier. This is particularly useful since most dry skin is caused by a lack of ceramides in the skin.
Whether you have sensitive, or oily, acne-prone skin, the Cerave rich cream moisturizer is a gamechanger. It contains everything your skin needs to be healthy and is fragrance-free and paraben-free. It also has the National Eczema Association (NEA) seal of approval making it safe to use for those with extremely dry or sensitive skin.
 Check out the 5-star reviews!
- Fragrance-free and paraben-free
- Suitable for all skin types, face, and body
- Contains essential ceramides
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Strange smell
Latest deal: Cerave moisturizing cream
Honeyskin Ultimate face and body cream
If you want a nature-inspired, more natural moisturizer, then this one is for you.
The Honeyskin cream is designed for dry, itchy, sensitive skin and is great for skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and redness. With organic ingredients and no harmful chemicals, it’s more likely to be kinder and less irritating on your skin than chemical formulas.
One of the unique things that I love about Honeyskin, is that is has a ph of 5.5 to help balance your skins natural oils, meaning it will help restore your skin’s barrier without disrupting it. The Honeyskin is an amazing way to treat your skin without putting it off balance or irritating it.
Now, wait until you hear this.Â
Honey skin cream is full of organic, natural ingredients such as aloe vera, manuka honey, shea butter, and coconut oil, cocoa butter, and cehami. It’s ideal for those who want a natural skincare routine but still need something moisturizing. It will make the skin retain moisture and uses natural ingredients such as honey as a natural emollient for cell rejuvenation.
Honeyskin also acts as a skin tightening cream that will work to firm your face and get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, making it perfect for mature skin too and anti-aging. The moisturizer works on puffy eyes, dark circles, and dark spots s you can get that glowy, clear complexion.
 Check out the link!
- Natural ingredients
- Balanced ph
- Tightening cream
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Has a slight smell
Latest deal: Honeyskin Ultimate face and body cream
5.
Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion
If you wanted to an affordable, gentle moisturizer for every day, Aveeno is a good one.
This drugstore moisturizer is perfect for a soothing lotion that nourishes and looks after your skin. It has an oatmeal formula and is quickly absorbed, leaving you with more time for the important stuff but without neglecting your skin.
This moisturizer provides the ultimate lotion, to recent dryness with consistent use, and protects your skin from the day ahead. It is good if you have dry skin as it replenishes moisture for a soft and smooth finish. I love to use these in the morning and before night, to give you a boost of hydration.
Check out the best part.
For a gentle formula that is not only recommended by a board-certified dermatologist, it also has none of the unwanted stuff. I m talking about fragrance-free, nongreasy, noncomedogenic and so light that you’ll be able to use it every day.
The Aveeno moisturizer is a game-changer for those who want the benefit of moisturized skin, without the heaviness of a cream. It also comes in a handy bottle pump to make it easy to use for the body so you can get soft skin from the get-go.
 Add this one to your basket, it’s worth it.
- Affordable
- Pump lotion
- Fragrance and non comedogenic
- Lightweight
- Some ingredients can be irritants
Latest deal: Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion
6.
Jergens ultra healing moisturizer
If you have dry skin then you should treat yourself to the Jergens ultra healing moisturizer.
The Jergens moisturizer has a blend of vitamins and a quick absorption formula that will make it super easy and nourishing to put on. In their range, they have an enriching shea butter lotion and others inspired by nature, but this one is ultra healing for those with drier skin that need extra TLC.
This moisturizer is ideal if you need to repair your skin’s barrier, it’s a moisturizer combined with a repair cream. It has quality such as vitamin C, E and B, designed to brighten dull skin, repair and rejuvenate leaving you with luminous, glowing skin. Hydralucence blend makes its stand out.
But that’s not the best part.
Due to its ultra healing properties, the Jergens lotion penetrates 5 layers deep into the skin, to heal the skin barrier from the inside out. That makes it much more effective than other creams as it works for people with higher levels of dryness, maybe even several layers deep. Moisture is locked in, keeping you hydrated for 48 hours, so need to be reapplying all the time.
This works as a sort of first aid beauty, and I would say it makes for the best night cream too. As someone with dry skin, you need an ultra repair cream in your life. Why not the Jergens?
Have you added this one to your basket yet?
- Hydralucence and vitamins B,C,E
- Penetrates 5 layers of skin
- Hydrated for 48 hours
- Easy use pump
- Bottle could be bigger
Latest deal: Jergens ultra healing moisturizer
Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin - Buyer's Guide
In this review we’re looking at the best skin moisturizers, from natural organic creams to ceramide-rich lotions, so that you can have that hydrating skin feeling.
It’s tough with so many products being full of unnecessary and harmful chemicals that do the opposite and dry out your skin or worse- irritate your skin. With a little help though, you can find a great product that will transform your skin from a dry desert to a beautiful oasis.
The good news is you don’t always need to get an ultra-rich cream or an expensive la roche posay to repair your skin barrier. Some of the moisturizers for dry skin on here are full of fatty acids, ingredients like hyaluronic acid and some have shea butter, so you have an ultra facial cream minus the expense.
What I can say is the creams on this list will help soothe irritated skin, many are oil-free and are a lightweight moisturizer that will help repair your moisture barrier and contribute to healthy barrier function.
I know from using some of these myself that my skin says it is super hydrating, with ingredients like glycerin or sweet almond seed oil, it’s like first aid for skin care!
Why wear moisturizer?
We know moisturizers for dry skin are great, but what exactly do they do?
There are three main parts to moisturizers:
Repair damaged skin- This is a major cause of dry skin, it does this with emollients
Retain moisture- Look for the ingredient called occlusive, this helps to lock and seal in hydration
Humectant properties- for example, glycerin to increase the water content. That’s why you need to apply it on damp skin to make it more hydrating!
Not only do these help to repair and maintain the skin barrier, but trapping water to keep your skin moisture levels can be a major way to decrease signs of aging and keeping your skin elasticity. The best formula will contain all three of these aspects.
How to pick the right moisturizer for you
If you don’t know what your skin type is, there is an easy way to find out. First, cleanse your face and wash it, then pat it completely dry. Wait around 1 hour, if your face feels tight or even slightly painful, then you have dry skin. If it looks shiny around the t zone then you probably have oily skin. If you feel the same as before, it’s likely your skin is normal and can balance itself.
If you have:
Normal skin- Congratulations, you have everybody desired skin type! Go for a water-based moisturizer to give your skin an extra boost and maintain its moisture balance. A lightweight, easily absorbed moisturizer is all you need. Look for lightweight ouls or silicone ingredients. Day creams are your best friend as these absorb much quicker.
Oily skin– if your skin feels shiny and breakouts easily, you might feel tempted to skip out on greasy moisturizer on your already oily skin. Don’t! Instead, apply a lightweight water-based moisturizer that will not clog your pores. Look out for the word non-comedogenic which means won’t clog your pores and oil free. Avoid heavy creams with ingredients like vaseline on your skin, and shea butter or coconut oil as they will be too heavy for you.
Acne prone skin- if you have acne, look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide that are perfect for treating breakouts daily. Glycolic acid is another good one cleansing your pores. Go for lighter, non comedogenic and oil free formulas for the best cream for you.
Dry skin- Dry skin will need a moisturizer that is a bit heavier, such as oil-based or thick facial creams. Go for the ones with ceramides for better moisture absorption and hyaluronic acid. For very dry skin, you will need to go for a heavier nighttime cream or even Vaseline to keep your skin more hydrated.
Sensitive skin- For my sensitive skin gals out there, it can seem like every ingredient is an issue. The best moisturizers for you are the ones that are hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free or contain good stuff like aloe. You want to avoid any unnecessary or harmful ingredients and go for simpler, cleaner brands of skin care. Avoid acids in your products as they can irritate your skin.
Key things to look out for when buying a moisturizer
Thickness- You need thicker if you have dry skin, and lighter for oily or acne-prone skin.
Absorption- no matter how rich a cream is, a good moisturizer will be easily absorbed, although thicker creams or a night cream may take slightly longer.
Quality of ingredients- Always try to go for paraben-free and fragrance-free, especially if you have sensitive skin or for a face cream as it can cause itchy skin. Avoid drying alcohols and go for the ones with natural ingredients or hyaluronic acid to prevent irritated skin.
Cream or lotion- This is purely personal, but if you have dry skin you may prefer an ultra-rich cream rather than a lotion. Lotions tend to be lighter and will absorb easier.
Final Thoughts
We all love that smooth skin feeling, and it can be a pain when you have dry or irritated skin. Finding which are the best moisturizers for dry or problematic skin can be a challenge.
Whether you’re an organic gal or guy, or you like to get technical with ingredients like glycerin, your skin says won’t regret buying anyone from this list, trust me! You will find a night cream, an ultra repair cream or an anti-aging cream or a gel-cream you can find your favorite face moisturizer or face cream for dry skin right on here!
A hydrating face cream can make all the difference when to make your skin retain fatty acids and moisture.
Which one was your favorite?
Jess Rowley
Cheif Editor & Nail Technician Expert
ABOUT
Jess Rowley, a veteran nail tech, has been studying beauty over the last 11 years and has completed the nail technology program in California. Watching the latest trends in beauty, Jess searches for the highest quality products that make your nails feel loved.
