The top moisturisers to get you through the dry-skin season
If you've been using the same industrial-sized jar of moisturiser on dry skin and you’ve not seen any results, it might be time to rethink your regimen. After all, the humble moisturiser is the bookend to your skincare routine, so it's important to find the right one.
We often get caught up in a ‘more is more’ approach when applying moisturiser, but while this may feel great on thirsty skin, it’s all about the type of cream you use, rather than the amount you apply.
There’s plenty to consider when shopping for the right formula. What texture is best? What are the good ingredients to look out for – and what are the bad ones too? Suddenly, the straightforward task of applying moisturiser just got a little more complicated.
The best moisturisers for dry skin
How do we test moisturisers?
When it comes to our carefully curated moisturiser recommendations, we considered a lot of factors from ingredients, product specs and most importantly, our own experience with each and every one. Some of our product suggestions have been favourites of ours for well over a year, whilst others made their way into our hearts in more recent months.
With so many moisturiser recommendations on the market, our list solely focuses on moisturisers that have helped to soothe and keep our dry skin at bay. The price point varies between each product but whether you're looking for a budget-friendly suggestion or fancy a bit of a splurge, we've included moisturisers for all price points.
So, where to start when finding the best face cream for your poor dry skin? Here, see the most effective hydrating formulas that have a place in our bathroom cupboard, and shop for your winner.
The best moisturisers for dry skin...
Soothe + Smooth Rich Moisturiser
If you've gone too hard and fast with your active ingredients – I'm talking sore, red and irritated skin – Skin + Me's Rich Moisturiser is at your rescue.This intensive cream is packed with all the right ingredients to instantly mollify angry skin. There's shea butter to soothe the skin barrier and give you that comforted feeling, while hyaluronic acid and glycerin boost hydration levels.
Note that you don't need to be subscribed to Skin + Me's treatment plan to buy the moisturiser, but it's worth looking at the plan if you're facing any other concerns (and it takes all the faff out of skincare).
Advanced Night Restore
Medik8's Advanced Night Restore cream is a tried-and-tested fave amongst the Cosmo gang.
It may tip towards the pricey side, but the results are worth every penny; the ceramide-packed formula helps to restore the skin's barrier while keeping it hydrated and radiant.
Plus, if you're a stan of the brand's cult Crystal Retinal, this makes the perfect counterpart, reducing any potential irritation from the vitamin A.
Skin Food
Ah, the mighty Weleda Skin Food. This humble high-street player may cost £16 but it has remained a favourite amongst celebrities and makeup artists for years – not to mention the many awards it has won.
What makes it so special? It's a multi-functional, satisfyingly rich treatment that makes the perfect base for makeup, thanks to its glowy sheen, but it also deeply hydrates the skin, lips and cuticles. It'll be the hardest working product in your makeup bag.
Barrier+ Repair Treatment
Barrier isn't just a buzzword, especially to Byoma. The Barrier+ Repair Treatment was created to counteract damage (read: dryness and sensitivity) caused by potent actives or retinoid use.
The skin barrier (have we said that enough?) is the outermost layer of the skin, designed to protect the deeper layers from pollution or environmental damage. When this layer becomes compromised – be it through exfoliation, climate or stress – it can open the door to sensitivity.
This rich ointment is loaded with superior restorative ingredients to bring harmony back to a compromised complexion. There's avocado oil to deeply nourish on the surface, while ectoin and squalane provide hydration that lasts the day.
If you're yet to understand your barrier function, you can use the brand's Skin Analysis Tool to discover the products that will best suit your needs.
Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser
Approved by celebs (like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande), this cream is an industry secret used by MUAs for decades.
Seriously, this multitasker can be used as a primer, face cream and makeup remover. The super creamy formula nourishes dry skin and gives a healthy radiant glow. So, makes sense it has over 12,000 5* reviews on Amazon.
Rich Repairing Cream
Formulated with 22% Ceramide Boosters, Simple's Rich Repairing Cream works wonders at relieving dry skin and adding long-lasting hydration.
You only need a pea-sized amount for the formula to work its magic and your skin will be left feeling soft and supple.
Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser
We've gotten through more pots of this wonder moisturiser than we can count. Not only does the formula tackle visible signs of skin ageing, but it offers a rich boost of hydration.
Better still, if you love a product that offers a glow, you won't want to miss out on this one as it unveils a natural-looking radiance after every use.
Moisturising Cream
For less than the price of your Friday night takeaway, this high-street moisturiser will deliver enough hydration to soothe even the driest complexions.
It’s packed with barrier-supporting ceramides and moisture-binding hyaluronic acid, and is totally fragrance free. It might not be sexy, but it sure delivers results.
Multi-Peptide Moisturiser
Peptides are a great ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine if you have dry skin – and this moisturiser is packed full of them! Essentially, they're chains of amino acids which occur naturally in the skin to create a youthful and plump appearance. They also work wonders for the skin barrier, helping reduce inflammation and dryness.
Not only is this moisturiser brimming with peptides, it also features a silky formula that instantly sinks into the skin and hydrates.
Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser
Neutrogena's Hydro Boost gel is a bit of a high-street classic: it's got a very lightweight consistency, feels refreshing on irritation or redness, and does a stellar job at hydrating, plumping and nourishing the skin.
It feels incredibly luxe, but won't make a high-end dent to your bank balance.
Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 Hybrid Gel Cream
Nip+Fab's Hyaluronic Fix cream is one of the lightest formulas around. The liquid gel may feel delicate on the skin, but it still delivers deep hydration.
Not only does the formula contain low-weight hyaluronic acid to provide moisture to multiple layers of the skin, but there's also polyglutamic acid – a superior hydrator – that creates a protective layer over the skin to prevent moisture loss.
It'll soothe even the driest patches of skin while lending a healthy glow to your complexion.
Bora Barrier Repair Cream
Rich but not heavy, this baby doesn't just focus on hydrating your parched skin, but on restoring and repairing it so it will become less prone to dryness and better equipt to retain moisture.
Relieving dryness and redness, this uses a reparative blend of glucosyl ceramides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, vital lipids and more to support your skin barrier. Somehow with a result that feels deeply soothed but also fresh.
Whether you smoothie it with your fave Drunk Elephant serums and drops or you use it solo, it's a joy to apply.
Drunk Elephant may have reached new notoriety as the obsession of pre-teens everywhere. But before you criticise them for their expensive taste, honestly try the products. The kids are on to something.
Cream Skin
So technically not a moisturiser – it's more of a toner/moisturiser hybrid – Laneige's Cream Skin is exactly what you need if you're after juicy, mega-hydrated skin.
The fluid, which is a fave of Kate Hudson's btw, can be used as the last step in your skincare routine or as a primer before your makeup.
Ceramides and peptides melt in to provide insane hydration and barrier support while delivering a plump and radiant finish. Simply splash the liquid into your palms and pat across the skin.
Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
If you're on the hunt for a great all-rounder, look no further than this pink pot of joy.
The Plum Plump Cream is loaded with hyaluronic acid which not only hydrates your skin on the surface, but in the deeper levels too.
Its shelfie-worthy packaging may be the initial attraction, but once you delve inside, you'll quickly realise it's much more than just a pretty jar.
Rich Cushion Cream
If you've ever had a fight with retinol and the retinol won (we're talking sore and irritated skin), we'd highly suggest getting your hands on Summer Friday's Rich Cushion Cream.
As the name suggests, the cosseting formula sinks into areas of dryness and feeds the skin with antioxidants to mollify irritation. Trust us, this is a real treat for retinol-ragged complexions.
Vitamin Enriched Face Base
When you have chronically dry skin, you'll understand the annoyance of a foundation that looks patchy sitting on top of a dehydrated complexion.
If this is sounding all too familiar, Bobbi Brown's Face Base is a moisturiser that deserves your attention; it creates the perfect canvas to apply your makeup onto, while keeping your skin nourished and hydrated underneath.
All thanks to hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and shea butter, the cream will keep your base smooth and plump throughout its wear.
Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream
The Versed Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream is a soothing formula that nourishes and hydrates dry skin. With a thicker gel-like consistency, the squalene and red-algae infused treatment works overnight to leave your skin feeling supple come morning.
A little bit of this moisturiser goes a long way, so you’re really getting the most out of your moolah.
Moisture Surge Intense 72hr
When it comes to beauty hall of fame products, Clinique's Moisture Surge would definitely make our edit. It's the moisturiser we'd recommend to everyone because there's simply nothing not to like about it – and for extra-dry skin, the Intense 72H version is a must-try.
This has the same lightweight consistency as the original Moisture Surge you know and love, but with the addition of lipids to restore and protect your all-important skin barrier.
Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
We're *huge* fans of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream for when our skin is feeling tight and dry, so this upgraded, advanced cream takes the obsession to a whole new level.
This deeply-nourishing formula pays special attention to your skin barrier to ensure it stays soothed and moisturised. It's ideal if you use retinol or have gone a bit OTT on the actives.
Barrier Restore Cream
Making your skin look like a sugar-glazed doughnut never seemed appealing until Hailey Bieber made it cool. We've tested the entire Rhode collection but, we have to say, the ultimate glazed-skin girl nailed the Barrier Restore Cream.
The silky consistency of this product is refreshingly lightweight but still offers enough nourishment to reinforce your skin's moisture barrier.
Packed with all the right hydrating heroes (read: peptides, shea butter and squalane) it will deeply nourish your skin without leaving a greasy slick. Only glazed-looking skin is allowed.
Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturiser
Laneige certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to creating intensely hydrating creams, with the Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturiser being one of the best in the bunch.
Formulated with a blend of blue hyaluronic acid, which is the brand's proprietary form of micro-sized hyaluronic acid for ultimate skin hydration.
Whether using morning or night, this cream will quench thirsty skin.
The Moisturiser
Skin Rocks' The Moisturiser Face Cream has become a staple in our beauty rotation. The nourishing formula is packed with actives, including pro-vitamin D3 and antioxidants to help boost the skin’s natural oils and processes.
The formula quickly melts into the skin and gets to work at eliminating any dryness. We also love that it's available in fragranced and fragrance-free versions.
What should you look for in a moisturiser for dry skin?
“A hydrating moisturiser should have a combination of ingredients that hydrate, draw in moisture and help to smooth the skin,” says Dr Soma.
Hyaluronic acid is, of course, here to aid hydration on every layer of the skin – rather than simply the surface – while ceramides reign above for their ability to boost your barrier. Dr Soma also says ingredients like glycerin and urea are beneficial for dry skin types as they attract and retain moisture.“
The consistency is a personal preference,” says Dr Soma. If thick formulas don’t appeal, you can still find all the nourishing ingredients you need inside a lighter lotion; however, try a rich cream if flakiness and sensitivity are real bugbears.
“I'd also recommend a fragrance-free formula so you reduce the risk of irritation or allergy that can come from added scents,” advises Dr Soma.
How should you apply a moisturiser to dry skin?
Sounds obvious, right? But for those of us with chronically dry skin, there’s more to moisturising than slapping on a cream and hoping for the best.“You should use a moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp,” says Dr Soma. Applying a hydrating facial mist or serum before your cream will ensure sustained moisture throughout the day and will prevent dehydration lines from appearing by noon.“If you have particularly dry and cracked areas you can use the occlusion technique,” says Dr Soma. “This involves putting a thick ointment [she recommends the Eucerin body lotion] onto the areas that are particularly sore, covering with a glove or sock and allowing it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour,” she adds.
Again, it seems like an obvious question, but we’re often asked: “How many times should you apply moisturiser?” Well, the answer depends on your skin type.“As standard, once a day is key and particularly after showering,” says Dr Soma. “However, for people with dry skin or a damaged barrier – and especially those with dry skin conditions such as eczema – they often need to moisturise 3+ times per day,” she adds.
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