23 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin in 2024, According to Dermatologists

“Ceramides are an emollient that can help repair the skin barrier in conditions like eczema,” Dr. Feely says. They’re the foundation of all CeraVe products, including their cult-favorite Moisturizing Cream, which was recommended by numerous dermatologists we talked to. The gentle, non-irritating formula works with all skin types, can be used all over the body, and is rich enough to seriously hydrate the most parched complexions. Bonus: You get 16 ounces of product in this tub!

If you have mature skin in need of some extra plumping, this ultra-hydrating and lightweight face cream from Glow Recipe is a great choice. It’s packed with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid as well as antioxidant-rich plums to plump and brighten skin, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

“This moisturizer makes my skin so plump and fresh! I use it every morning and my skin looks great all day,” raves one reviewer, also noting that it gives the most “beautiful dewy glow.”

This top-notch face cream from Clarins contains calming botanical extracts, shea butter, and dimethicone to help dry skin retain its moisture, says Dr. Zeichner. Testers rave about its silky-soft finish, ability to wear well beneath makeup, and comfortable feeling. Bonus: It’s noncomedogenic, and free of sulfates and parabens. If you prefer your creams a bit on the thicker side (without reaching heaviness), this rich, luxurious formula is for you.

This cruelty-free product merges nourishing vitamin E, anti-aging peptides, and probiotics (the good bugs that live on and in our bodies) to smooth lines, even tone, and hydrate parched spots with lots of botanical oils for reinforcements. “Leaves skin feeling hydrated and fresh,” one happy reviewer writes. “I like that it doesn’t feel oily after application. Smells good, feels good, looks good.”

You can pick it up in a size that works best for you: 1.5 or three ounces.

If you have a flaky patch that just won’t quit, this rich but gentle cream will take care of it ASAP thanks to a triple lipid complex and ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, aloe, and more. Bonus: It contains a unique peptide blend for extra anti-aging benefits, and features a unique push-top dispenser so you never have to dip your fingers into the product.

Grab it in a mini, value, or standard size.

If you’re looking for a more luxe option, Tata Harper has you covered. The Repairative Moisturizer is designed to target the dullness that accompanies colder, dry climates. Thanks to an expert blend of hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice, jojoba seed oil, mango seed butter, calendula flower extract, and more, this product delivers a potent shot of vitamins and essential fatty acids straight to your dry skin for an overall healthy glow.

This hydrating face cream received a recommendation from Dr. Kassardjian, in our round-up of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin. The formula is packed with ceramides to quench dry skin, but it also earns a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association for its lack of common irritants: dyes, fragrance, lanolin, formaldehyde, and parabens.

It’s a basic, solid moisturizer with no frills attached, great for those looking to establish a simple, bare-bones skincare routine. And one tub just might last your entire lifetime.

People love this cult-favorite cream for its smooth, gel-like texture, soft finish, and the results it leaves behind. Peptides, botanical oils, and antioxidants visibly firm, smooth, and plump the skin without ever feeling heavy or greasy. Reviewers rave that the “perfect consistency” will make your face “feel like silk.” The overwhelming verdict? “Totally worth it.”

Not to mention, it features a push-top dispenser that delivers the perfect amount of product every time, saving you from dreaded sticky fingernails.

Dr. Harth says dimethicone is one of best moisturizing ingredients for acne-prone skin. “It’s a man-made compound known to reduce water loss without leaving a greasy feel or clogging pores,” he says. First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream features the ingredient, along with a hydrating ceramides, soothing colloidal oatmeal, and rich shea butter. Free of fragrances and alcohol, it’s great for those with sensitive skin—even those who suffer from eczema or extremely itchy skin can use it.

Great for combo skin, this sheer, non-greasy moisturizer packs hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and caffeine in order to moisturize, soothe, rejuvenate, and brighten all at once. The formula is noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores, and reviewers wonder “where has this been all my life?” Also, the lidded pump packaging is the perk you didn’t know you needed. Never worry about a tube or jar exploding in your bag, and confidently disperse the same amount of product with every use.

“Glycerin, another humectant, is non-irritating and less comedogenic than natural oil-based moisturizers,” Dr. Harth says. You’ll find the gentle, yet ultra-moisturizing ingredient in this cream from Avène. It’s particularly perfect for sensitive skin since it’s also soap- and fragrance-free.

If you’ve accidentally over-exfoliated and disrupted your skin’s barrier, this cream promises to set it right in 48 hours and calm irritation and tightness in as little as 30 seconds.

This lightweight gel-like formula is is free of commonly irritating ingredients like sulfates, mineral oil, and fragrance. It also has a secret ingredient up its sleeve. “Queen of the night cactus is a rare ingredient that’s known for storing water,” Dr. Palep previously told Prevention. Translation: It does wonders on even the thirstiest skin.

“It is super cooling to the skin, like aloe vera. It makes my skin feel moisturized and doesn’t leave it sticky/tacky. It smells very nice and natural... not chemically or artificial like other moisturizers,” one Amazon shopper writes. “As long as this brand is around, I’m going to keep buying this moisturizer... it’s my forever choice!”

If you’re looking for a moisturizer made with all-natural ingredients, you’ll love this Fleur & Bee pick. The formula is packed with powerful good-for-you botanical ingredients (like organic aloe vera, glycerin, vitamin C, E, and B3) to moisturize and hydrate skin. It’s also cruelty-free and 100% vegan, making it safe to use on sensitive skin types. All of the brand’s products are made with 100% renewable wind energy, and 1% of all sales go to Days for Girls, which helps distribute menstrual hygiene products to girls in need.

Designed to target dryness and dark spots, this two-in-one sunscreen moisturizer is lightweight, oil-free, and makeup-friendly. Its key ingredients include Kalahari melon, which is rich in antioxidants, as well as hyaluronic acid and aloe. The pink cream appears invisible on all skin tones and gives skin an overall brighter appearance.

Plus, the sleek pump packaging helps you use every ounce of product. And when you run out, you don’t have to buy a whole new unit—grab a refill instead.

This $10 product won “best night cream” in our 2020 Healthy Beauty Awards for a reason. “I’m a big fan because it’s so affordable,” Dr. Gohara says. “It does a nice job of incorporating basic ingredients like hyaluronic acid in a cosmetically elegant formulation that isn’t too heavy. I put it on after my retinoid at night.”

It also contains ceramides and triglycerides to support a healthy moisture barrier. Plus, the tube packaging is travel-friendly and keeps the product sealed and sanitary. (No germy fingers digging around in a jar.)

This oil- and fragrance-free moisturizer delivers rich hydrating power with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps your skin retain moisture. “It draws water up from the dermis (the inner layer of skin) to the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and absorbs moisture from the air,” Dr. Harth says. Derms love hyaluronic acid because it holds a thousand times its weight in water and seriously plumps up skin (it’s commonly used in cosmetic fillers for this reason).

Plus, it’s beloved by Jennifer Garner, who says it “instantly” smooths her micro-lines after application.

Like it or not, external factors such as UV rays and pollution can take a toll on dry skin. From damaging skin’s moisture barrier to increasing loss of moisture and causing drier skin to develop, they can leave your complexion unhappy. So prep and protect your skin with this moisturizer formulated with lipohydroxy acids that exfoliate dull skin and stimulate surface cell renewal. Imperial peony extract, glycerin, and squalene quench skin with moisture and lock it in for an ultra-hydrated and rosy-looking glow.

“I love the way the pink tint takes away the more sallow tone of my skin. It really does give my skin a glow,” writes one Amazon reviewer.

If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer for dry skin that has all the power of a heavier formula, look no further. This classic face cream from Kiehl’s contains squalane, an emollient that leaves parched skin feeling hydrated and soft without that super greasy feeling. Avocado, apricot kernel, olive fruit, and sweet almond oils join forces to rejuvenate any dullness.

“I cannot believe I waited this long to try this miracle moisturizer,” one reviewer raves. “The texture itself is wonderfully light and nonsticky.”

With loads of positive reviews, this Cetaphil face cream is a dry skin must-have. Formulated with a unique HydroSensitiv Complex ingredient, it works to provide deep hydration and soothes the skin for up to 48 hours. It has a lightweight, non-greasy feel and a gentle scent. The key ingredients also feature hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and B5.

“I use this in the morning and at night, and I can really see a difference...My makeup goes on smoothly and I no longer get dry patches,” writes one happy customer.

A favorite from New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Zeichner, Aveeno’s fragrance- and oil-free night cream instantly soothes dry skin with oat and feverfew extracts, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. If your skin is feeling red, itchy, and overall paper-y tight, slather on this nourishing cream for a more balanced, hydrated complexion come morning.

“After washing my face at night, I smooth on this night cream. My face is soft and supple and I wake up looking good. No more tight or itchy face or redness,” raves one reviewer. “Gets the red out of my cheeks and nose and keeps it out.”