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If you ask anyone with dry skin, they’ll probably be more than willing to tell you about how difficult it can be to find formulas that actually quench their skin. Whether you’re seasonally dry like me or year-round, you know how frustrating it is to deal with skin that looks dull, flaky, and rough. The bad news is there’s no “cure” for dry skin, but you can invest in products to balance it out.
“Dry skin lacks enough water and natural oils, which causes changes in the look and feel,” explains Tiffany Clay-Ramsey, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Honey Pot pulse panel expert. “Moisturizers have a lot of benefits such as locking in moisture, lessening the look of fine lines and wrinkles, protecting your skin’s barrier, and soothing any physical conditions that come from dryness like itch.”
Still, it can be difficult to sort through all of the options on the market that claim to be the best for this skin type, and when you consider different needs on top of simply hydrating dry skin, you realize that figuring out what will actually meet your needs might be complicated. To keep your search simple, keep scrolling for seven formulas dermatologists and editors swear by for soft, dewy skin.
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Best Overall: Avène Tolérance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Avène
Tolérance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Our top pick gets a green flag from derms for its ability to soften dry skin while remaining safe for sensitive skin. “Avène Tolérance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm is a particularly strong option for dry and sensitive skin because the richer balm texture provides substantial moisture without an overly complicated formula,” says board-certified dermatologist Anetta Reszko, MD. “The combination of glycerin, shea butter, and squalane helps soften dry skin while supporting the barrier.”
Pros: Barrier supporting, redness soothing, sensitive skin–friendly
Cons: Pricey, rich texture
Key ingredients: D-Sensinose, Avène thermal spring water, shea butter
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 1.3 oz.
Customer review: “I first purchased this when trying to simplify my skincare due to a breakout and redness. It’s helped me so much that I’m now on my 3rd purchase. I find it so soothing and it’s been a perfect AM and PM moisturizer.”
Best for Mature Skin: Bioeffect EGF Power Cream
BIOEFFECT
EGF Power Cream
Mature skin needs specific ingredients in order to thrive, which is why Reszko is a fan of this formula from Bioeffect. “The EGF Power Cream is a more luxurious option for dry or mature skin that needs richer hydration,” she says. “It combines ingredients such as squalane, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E in an elegant cream texture that works well morning or night.”
Pros: Firming, plumping, brightening
Cons: Expensive, rich texture
Key ingredients: EGF, niacinamide, squalane, vitamin E
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 1.69 oz.
Customer review: “This is a rich cream that melts into your skin without feeling greasy or too heavy. It leaves a beautiful sheen that looks healthy. It makes my skin plumper and stronger. I have very sensitive skin, and this is not irritating at all.”
Best Splurge: Valmont Hydra3 Charging Cream
Valmont
Hydra3 Charging Cream
It goes without saying that an expensive product isn’t always the most efficient. Still, there are many splurge-worthy formulas on the market that are actually worth the money, like this one from Valmont. “The Hydra3 Charging Cream is a solid option for dry skin that needs richer, longer-lasting hydration without feeling overly heavy,” says Reszko. “Its emollient texture works especially well for skin that feels tight, depleted, or less supple, helping improve comfort while supporting a smoother, more hydrated appearance.”
Pros: Plumping, barrier supporting, radiance boosting
Cons: Expensive, fragranced
Key ingredients: Triple DNA, fermented gentian extract, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
Fragrance-free: No
Size: 1.69 oz.
Customer review: “My skin often feels dry, especially during seasonal changes. This cream helps keep my skin feeling comfortable and balanced.”
Best for Dark Spots: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Augustinus Bader
The Rich Cream
Treating dark spots can feel like a never-ending process if your cream doesn’t have the right ingredients. That’s why we’re fans of options like this one from Augustinus Bader that target discoloration while smoothing and firming skin. “The Rich Cream works especially well for dry or mature skin because it provides substantial hydration in a rich, nourishing texture,” says Reszko. “For skin that feels persistently dry or depleted, the richer formula helps support the barrier and leaves the skin looking smoother and more supple over time.”
Pros: Firming, smoothing, barrier supporting
Cons: Expensive, fragranced
Key ingredients: TFC8, vitamin A, vitamin E, avocado oil
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 1.7 oz.
Customer review: “This [product is] amazing. I really feel and look 10 years younger. I had a lot of fine lines and wrinkles and now I can clearly see the difference. I’m loving the results so far. My skin feels soft, smooth, and my lines have almost disappeared and the spots on my skin have almost faded.”
Best Budget: Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment
Aveeno
Skin Relief Healing Ointment
Budget-friendly options will always be standouts, and this Skin Relief Healing Ointment from Aveeno also happens to be a multipurpose formula. “The Aveeno Healing Ointment delivers fast relief from chapped, dry skin and at a very affordable price,” says Clay-Ramsey. It can be used on the body, face, hands, and even lips.
Pros: Nongreasy, multiuse, sensitive skin–friendly
Cons: Thick texture, limited face appeal
Key ingredients: Triple Oat, shea butter, glycerin
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 2 oz.
Customer review: “The Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment is amazing stuff! It soothes and smoothes the skin. Not greasy at all. Skin felt soft for several days. You can use it all over your body. I have very dry skin the older I get, and the shea butter and triple oat help relieve my menopause-related skin issues.”
Best Lightweight Formula: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
belif
The True Cream Aqua Bomb
I’ve been using this water-based cream for well over five years now and can’t recommend it enough for people who have combination skin that leans on the dry side. Its lightweight texture makes it perfect for year-round use, and it’s my secret weapon for reducing acne-related redness. If you’re a fan of the brand and need a richer option, consider the Belif True Cream Moisturizing Bomb.
Pros: Cooling, lightweight, pore refining
Cons: Fragranced, less rich
Key ingredients: Lady’s mantle, oat extract, panthenol
Fragrance-free: No
Size: 1.68 oz.
Customer review: “Been using this cream for more than 10 years. I’ve cheated with other cream but this one is ultimately the one I always come back to. Smooth, refreshing, and hydrating!”
Best for Makeup Prep: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
TATCHA
The Dewy Skin Cream
Good makeup application starts with good skin prep, which is why this Tatcha cream is a staple in my routine. It plumps my skin while delivering an undeniable glow that I can see under my makeup. The texture is rich, but it’s noncomedogenic, meaning I never have to worry about it clogging my pores and causing breakouts.
Pros: Plumping, radiance boosting, makeup-friendly
Cons: Expensive, fragranced
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, red algae, Japanese purple rice, squalane
Fragrance-free: No
Size: 1.7 oz.
Customer review: “This is the holy grail for mature skin. I’ve been using the product for about 2 years and so glad I discovered Tacha. This moisturizing cream makes my fine lines melt away. I use morning and night and my skin has never felt better.”
How often should someone with dry skin be moisturizing?
In short, if you have dry skin, you should be moisturizing one to two times a day. “Reapplying after losing natural oils or water from the skin—like after a shower, washing your hands, cleansing your face, or simply whenever the skin’s texture or look is noticeably altered—should be a regular practice,” says Clay-Ramsey. “Dry skin can also be more sensitive to sun damage, so moisturizing the face and body using sunscreen every day is crucial to prevent skin issues.”
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best moisturizers for dry skin, we leaned heavily on dermatologist insights and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key ingredients, fragrance, product size, and customer reviews. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details.
Why Trust Who What Wear
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Since 2006, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
