“This moisturizer is a great option to help restore moisture and strengthen the natural skin barrier, which we know weakens as we age, leading to dryness of the skin,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “By restoring these fatty molecules, the barrier is not only improved, but the skin now appears more hydrated and smoother.”
“This moisturizer feels like a cushiony cloud on my skin and leaves my complexion looking dewier than ever. Its dense texture makes my skin feel soft and plump, like how I imagine Moo Deng’s cheeks feel. If I could drench my whole body in this rich, hydrating cream, I absolutely would.” —Jennifer Hussein, Allure former commerce writer
More to know
- Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people and kids (over three years old) who are prone to eczema
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Under Makeup: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Why it’s worth it: If the idea of saving time while still treating your skin sounds like your love language, Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base (a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner) has you covered. The rich yet breathable texture comes from shea butter, which “contains fatty acids and vitamins A and E that deeply nourish and soften the skin,” while soothing irritation and keeping moisture locked in, says Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Hyaluronic acid pulls in hydration for that instantly plumped, smooth look, and a trio of vitamins C, E, and B brighten, protect, and bolster the skin barrier. Add in glycerin for slip, and you get a cushiony base that keeps skin feeling healthy and makeup looking fresh—even if you’re dealing with peeling or flakes.
“At first glance, Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer looks buttery and thick in the jar—the kind of texture that usually spells too rich. But the moment I scoop some out, it immediately melts into my skin. The texture is plush and nourishing but somehow still light enough to disappear without a trace.” —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure contributing commerce writer
More to know
- Key ingredients: squalane, shea butter, glycerin, hyaluronic acid
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially people with dry or mature skin
- Fragrance-free: natural fragrance from grapefruit and geranium oils
Best Splurge: Chanel Le Lift Pro Crème Volume
Why it’s worth it: Chanel’s Le Lift Pro Crème Volume is a true triple-threat—as in, it provides sculpting, plumping, and smoothing results to minimize the look of wrinkles and deep lines. Melipona enzymatic, a honey-derived compound with antimicrobial, moisturizing, and exfoliating benefits, is the star ingredient in this formula. Along with its signature ingredient, this moisturizing cream is also spiked with hydrating sodium hyaluronate (a salt derived from hyaluronic acid) and glycerin.
“The Chanel Le Lift Pro Crème Volume moisturizer helps me hit glazed status every night before bed. With chronically dry skin—thank you, eczema and psoriasis—it’s my nightly staple to keep my skin supple and glowing.” —Kassidy Silva, Allure social director
More to know
- Key ingredients: melipona enzymatic honey, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin
- Who it’s for: anyone targeting dryness and fine lines
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Combination Skin: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Why it’s worth it: Dr. Jart+ took one of the most iconic ingredients in K-beauty—ceramides—and doubled down, packing five different types into its newly reformulated Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream. So, it’s no surprise that this moisturizer delivers the barrier-strengthening power the brand is known for. “This cream combines ceramides with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that absorbs water molecules from the environment and deep within the skin for improved skin hydration,” says Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. And with added panthenol to calm irritation and reinforce the moisture barrier, it leaves skin feeling soft, soothed, and deeply cushioned.
Tester feedback from Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai
“My combination skin gets capital-d Dry from external factors, be it freezing winter weather or stale airplane air. That’s why a travel-size tube of this lives in my toiletry kit. I put it to the ultimate test—a trip to central Missouri in the dead of winter to visit my in-laws—and found that it still kept my skin radiant and comfortable.” —Deanna Pai, contributing editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: ceramides, panthenol, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people seeking a more lightweight option
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Why it’s worth it: Most firming creams rely on surface-level hydration to make fine lines look softer, but Medik8’s Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream goes deeper. Instead of just plumping the top layer, it helps activate your skin’s own collagen production for a more long-term regenerative payoff. “It’s packed with nourishing ingredients that promote skin health and longevity—including ceramides, proprietary Growth Factor MiniProtein (which helps spark skin’s natural renewal signals), carnosine (to keep collagen more flexible), and an NAD+ Longevity Booster that supports cellular energy, which is essential for maintaining firmness,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. By strengthening skin from within, it not only softens the appearance of deeper lines but also restores that suppleness and glow that tends to fade with age.
“I’ve been a dedicated user of Medik8’s Liquid Peptides Advanced serum for some time now, so I pounced on the Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream when the samples landed in our office. While I don’t have noticeable wrinkles—yet—to track progress against, I do notice an overall plumping effect to my skin when consistently using this moisturizer. The finish is really satin-y, absorbs quickly (a through line with Medik8, I’ll always award bonus points for speedy applications), and I really feel like my skin texture and tone have never been better.” —Sarah Hoffmann, Allure commerce producer
More to know
- Key ingredients: carnosine, squalane, shea butter, ceramides, collagen amino acids
- Who it’s for: people with mature, sagging, or dull skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Melanie Curry
Why it’s worth it: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is accepted by the National Eczema Association, which is a big deal if your skin reacts to, well, everything. “A go-to for sensitive or eczema-prone skin, this formula is free of fragrance, dyes, and preservatives that commonly irritate,” says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Dermatology based in New York City. Instead, it relies on simple, skin-soothing petrolatum to deliver rich, non-stinging hydration. Even better, this no-frills formula avoids harsh additives while still supporting barrier repair—and the giant, 16 oz. pump means you can slather to your heart’s content from head to toe.
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
“I have uber sensitive skin, so I need a moisturizer that 1) won’t break me out and 2) keep my skin hydrated all day. Which is why I love this Vanicream moisturizing cream. It feels amazing, and just a dab of it keeps my skin fresh all day, without any touchups. I also love how I can use it year-round—not too heavy for the summer but also not too light for the winter (when my skin gets super dry and flaky).” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
More to know
- Key ingredients: petrolatum, sorbitol
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: Don’t call Dieux Instant Angel just another “barrier cream;” it’s a barrier builder. The formula centers on a hydro-lipid blend of lipids, squalane, glycerin, and urea that works on multiple levels: Humectants pull in water, emollients smooth rough texture, and skin-identical lipids help replenish what depleted barriers are missing. Peptides add extra support by helping keep skin feeling firm and resilient over time, making the moisturizer feel more treatment-like than your typical rich cream. A derivative of meadowfoam seed oil brings a silky finish that locks in hydration without heaviness. This cushiony, comforting cream strengthens, softens, and restores, especially for skin that’s dry, compromised, or overworked from retinoids and exfoliants.
More to know
- Key ingredients: hydro lipid blend (lipids, squalane, glycerin, urea), peptides, meadowestolide (meadowfoam seed oil derivative)
- Who it’s for: people with dry, sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream
Why it’s worth it: If you want a cream that provides instant hydration in a barely there texture, it’s hard to go wrong with a gel-cream, like the Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream. This weightless formula is powered by a brightening, hydrating, antioxidant-rich algae extract and moisturizing marigold flower extract to plump skin and minimize the look of fine lines and sagging. Bonus: Our editors love its light, barely-there feel that still leaves our skin feeling properly moisturized.
“I’m usually not a fan of heavier face creams, so I stick to lightweight water creams or gel moisturizer. The reputation among gel moisturizers is that they are hydrating, but not deeply moisturizing. That is not the case with this water cream, which leaves my skin feeling hydrated and supple upon application and leaves it moisturized all throughout the day.” —Annie Blay Tettey, Allure associate beauty editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: algae extract, marigold flower extract
- Who it’s for: anyone who wants a lightweight cream
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Barrier Repair: Rhode Barrier Butter
Why it’s worth it: “Butter” might send those with oily skin running for the hills, but hear us out: Rhode Barrier Butter is rich in all the right ways, no matter your skin type. This cushiony cream is designed to flood skin with lightweight hydration, thanks to the brand’s Hyaluronic Acid Complex featuring five molecular weights that pull moisture both onto and below the skin’s surface. Ceramides help reinforce your barrier, making it ideal for anyone dealing with sensitivity, dryness, or over-exfoliation. Murumuru butter adds a silky, sealed-in finish that helps your skin hang onto that hydrated glow longer. If your barrier needs a reset, this delivers deep, replenishing moisture—without, rest assured, any of the grease.
“Using tretinoin in the fall and winter makes my skin extra thirsty and sensitive. It’s truly the most painful time of year for my face, but this rich cream is the only product making it bearable. It ensures it stays calm and coddled for hours.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure senior editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, murumuru butter, ceramides, polyglutamic acid
- Who it’s for: anyone who wants an intensely moisturizing, balmy moisturizer
- Fragrance-free: yes
More moisturizers for dry skin we love
Best Long-Lasting: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty
Ultra Repair Cream
Why it’s worth it: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream has a rich, whipped texture that sinks in quickly yet keeps working for hours, which is why the National Eczema Association-accepted formula has become a staple for chronically dry, flaky, or irritated skin. It’s “a soothing and feel-good cream that is formulated with a combination of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and ceramides to both hydrate and protect the skin barrier,” says Dr. Garshick. Those barrier-supporting ingredients don’t just moisturize on contact—they help lock in hydration for hours, even if you apply it in harsh winter air or to over-washed hands. If you’re tired of creams that fade moments after you apply them, this one delivers comfort that lasts.
Tester feedback from Hussein
“When my sensitive skin is feeling particularly dry, I crack open a jar of this skin-cushioning moisturizer. Its cool, custardy texture calms my skin down and makes it feel bouncy to the touch as it absorbs.” —Hussein, former commerce writer
More to know
- Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin
- Who it’s for: people with very dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Why it’s worth it: Ceramides are some of the most effective ingredients to incorporate into a skin-care routine due to their ability to retain moisture and improve your skin’s barrier function. “Environmental factors can disrupt the lipid layer of the skin, which locks in moisture and acts as a barrier against pollution and bacteria,” says Dr. Engelman. “Ceramides help to restore the skin’s barrier by holding the cells together. As a result, skin feels smoother, plumper, and more moisturized.” CeraVe’s PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, which also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, delivers serious hydration without breaking the bank.
More to know
- Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of moisturizer should I look for if I have dry skin?
“People prone to dry skin should look for facial moisturizers that contain ingredients that prevent water loss and repair the skin’s moisture barrier,” esthetician Renée Rouleau (and founder of her namesake skin-care line) tells Allure. “This is important year-round, but especially during the harsh winter months when dry skin can be even more sensitive.” Board-certified dermatologists like New York City-based Joshua Zeichner, MD, highly recommend creams formulated with “skin-repairing ceramides, which fill in the cracks between skin cells and help the skin heal itself,” as he previously explained.
Other effective ingredients include hyaluronic acid, which plumps skin and restores lost hydration, and emollients such as shea butter, which “can help to heal cracked skin due to its vitamins A, E, and F content,” cosmetic chemist Ginger King previously explained.
When do I apply moisturizer?
After washing with cleanser, layer your products in order of lightest to heaviest in texture. “A serum and a cream have different functions, and therefore [different] molecule sizes,” explains Dr. Engelman. “A serum placed on top of a moisturizer will not allow the serum to be fully absorbed since the smaller molecules cannot penetrate the larger ones. Start the products with the lightest consistency like toner, followed by serums and ampoules. Next, are any prescription topical treatments, lotions, creams, and finally sunscreen [with at least SPF 30].” Of course, skip the SPF in your evening routine.
Anything else I should consider for dry skin?
Once you’ve found your go-to hydrator, you may also find that making small adjustments to your daily routine—such as using fragrance-free skin-care products—can make a world of difference. “If you struggle with redness or irritation, it’s important to be thoughtful about how you are cleansing your skin,” says New York City-based board-certified plastic surgeon Adam Kolker, MD, who recommends patients use “cool water or lukewarm water” to rinse off their cleanser to avoid exacerbating any dry patches or redness. In fact, in the morning, you can skip a dedicated cleanser and stick to a quick water-only rinse.
Outside of topical skin care, consider investing in a humidifier that goes on your desk, nightstand, or end table to boost humidity, of course, and prevent moisture loss in your own skin, according to Y. Claire Chang, MD, a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at Union Dermatology.
Meet the experts
- Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Dermatology based in New York City
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and Englewood, New Jersey
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
- Adam Kolker, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York City
- Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Dermatology based in New York City
- Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Renée Rouleau, esthetician and founder of Renée Rouleau Skincare
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best moisturizers for dry skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists and seasoned estheticians. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Check out the latest and greatest skin-care products our editors are loving:
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.allure.com
