The 13 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin in 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin Overall

DHC DHC Olive Virgin Oil Essential Cream

View On Amazon $30 View On Dermstore $42 View On Ulta $42

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

While the packaging of this moisturizer isn’t the most compelling, the formula inside most certainly is. Made with organic olive oil, squalane, and beeswax, this moisturizer is incredibly hydrating, while also working to help balance oil production, reduce the appearance of pores, and brighten skin.

“The consistency is quite thick but it's so creamy and blendable,” our tester shares, noting that although it’s quite oily upon application it quickly sinks into the skin. “I am quite impressed by the texture and compatibility with my skin — there’s a significant difference in moisture levels. I feel more hydrated and look like I've woken up from a deep, rested slumber [thanks to the plumping benefits this product delivers].”

In short, our tester found her new go-to in this fan-favorite moisturizer, and the only thing she’d change is the jar size — she wishes it came in an oversized tub so that she could slather it all over her body. Yes, it’s that good. 

Key Ingredients: Organic olive oil, Squalane, and Beeswax  | Size: 1.7 oz. | Texture: Silky, oily, and thick | Scented: Free of added fragrances

Best Budget

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

View On Amazon $17 View On Ulta $16 View On Walmart $15

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

Beloved by over 13,000 Ulta shoppers, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream was a no-brainer for our sample selection — and once tested, it was clear that it deserved a spot in the top 10. According to one tester, the moisturizer goes on smoothly and absorbs almost instantly, all without any residual film, tackiness, or greasiness. 

“My skin actually feels hydrated and soft, and I want to put it on my whole body,” she exclaims. That said, she admits that she thought it might do more than just hydrate, given its National Eczema Association seal of approval. “There wasn't any difference in redness or the appearance of my pores,” she admits. Her other complaint? It’s not cruelty-free. Still, she assures us that it’s definitely worth the cost. And at just $18, it's a true bargain considering the moisturizing benefits.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides and Hyaluronic acid | Size: 12 oz. | Texture: Smooth and fast-absorbing | Scented: No

Best Multi-Use

Alleyoop Dream Team

View On Amazon $35 View On Meetalleyoop.com

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  4.5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

Alleyoop is all about making ultra-convenient, easy-to-use beauty products. What started as makeup and tools eventually evolved into skincare. The Dream Team 3-in-1 Moisturizer, Eye Cream & Mask is a triple threat against dehydrated skin. It’s vegan, paraben-, and cruelty-free, and loaded with complexion-perfecting ingredients like softening and moisturizing squalane, plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing macadamia nut oil, and smoothing and hydrating coconut oil. 

“It's just the right consistency — not too thick, not too watery — and lightweight, with three pumps being enough product to cover my face,” our tester reveals. “It starts absorbing into the skin right away, with no stickiness or oiliness after.” Because of that, she says that it’d be a great option to wear under makeup — though, only if you use a pump or two. Any more than that could potentially lead to a cakey complexion. Makeup aside, our tester says the moisturizer does its job and does it well. “My skin feels way less tight than it did [before applying it],” she explains. “It's smooth to the touch and feels plumper, softer, and more hydrated than before.” 

Key Ingredients: Squalane, Hyaluronic acid, Macadamia nut oil, and Coconut oil | Size: 1.68 oz. | Texture: Smooth and fast-absorbing | Scented: No

Best for Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

View On Amazon $13 View On Target $16 View On CVS $17

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Formulated without fragrance, dyes, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde, or preservatives, Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is a godsend for sensitive skin. With ceramides and hyaluronic acid at the forefront, this comfortable and lightweight moisturizer is designed to hydrate the skin and help it retain moisture by reinforcing the skin barrier. “It’s a great product to layer under a rich cream during the winter or to use by itself in the summer,” says one tester. “When testing, my skin felt comfortable and hydrated, albeit a little sticky.” She assures that the sticky feeling melted away after a few moments, though, and her skin was left feeling soft and smooth for hours on end. 

Key Ingredients: Ceramides and Hyaluronic acid | Size: 3 oz. | Texture: Rich but lightweight | Scented: No

Best for Redness

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

View On Amazon $17 View On Dermstore $29 View On Embryolisse.com $16

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  4/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

When you think of taking care of sensitive, redness-prone skin, you likely don’t imagine using a scented moisturizer. That said, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré defies the norms with its delightful rose scent paired that's with an aloe vera and shea butter-infused formula. “My skin feels soft and plump to the touch,” our tester raves. “The moisturizer hid/calmed my redness (from rosacea), as well as smoothed the uneven texture on my cheeks."

Her only complaints are that the packaging itself isn’t anything special and it goes on a bit thick. Though, she admits that it does absorb effectively and almost immediately. 

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera and Shea butter | Size: 2.54 oz. | Texture: Thick yet lightweight | Scented: Yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Buttah Skin CocoShea Revitalizing Cream

View On Amazon $21 View On Nordstrom $21 View On QVC $21

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  4/5
• Absorption
  4/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Buttah CocoShea Revitalizing Cream is formulated with moisture-locking cocoa and shea butters, plumping hyaluronic acid, and deeply-hydrating vitamin E to banish all your dry skin blues. Due to the natural butters, our tester found the cult-favorite moisturizer to be a bit gooey, but she loved it nonetheless. 

“The consistency is very interesting and it takes a few rubs to completely absorb into my skin, which I think is a result of the gooey-like texture,” she admits. More importantly, though, she says that after applying the rich moisturizer, her face didn’t feel the slightest bit dry. “My forehead and chin usually experience the most dryness, but after using this moisturizer those spots look hydrated and silky,” she marvels. 

Her one concern is the scent. While it’s free of added fragrances, it has a natural aroma that’s quite noticeable. “As a person with sensitive skin that usually avoids products with heavy fragrance, I was initially alarmed,” she admits. Though, after testing, she found that the unique texture, pretty packaging, effective hydration, and overall restorative nature of the product make it well worth it. 

Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, Shea butter, Hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E | Size: 2 oz. | Texture: Rich and smooth | Scented: Free of added fragrances

Best Non-Comedogenic

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

View On Amazon $23 View On Ulta $24 View On Dermstore $11

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  4/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

If your biggest worry with finding a deeply hydrating moisturizer is that the formula will inevitably overwhelm your complexion, fear not: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is non-comedogenic and widely touted as a must-try skincare product. “It’s beautifully lightweight and deeply hydrates skin without any heaviness,” one tester shares. “It’s not greasy or thick, it absorbs fast, and it immediately left my skin feeling softer.” 

While the consistency of this ceramide-, niacinamide-, and glycerin-infused moisturizer is a highlight of the product, our tester admits that for the cooler months of the year, a slightly thicker feel may be better. Nevertheless, due to how hydrating it is and how well it layers under makeup, she attests that it’s a top-notch non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturizer. 

Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, Ceramide-3, Niacinamide, and Glycerin | Size: 2.5 oz. | Texture: Smooth and lightweight | Scented: No

Best Plumping

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

View On Amazon $35 View On Sephora $21 View On Glowrecipe.com $21

This ultra-lightweight whipped gel moisturizer has a watery consistency that refreshes the skin before sinking in for a dewy, balanced-looking visage. Given it’s deeply-hydrating nature, our tester did find that it’s a bit sticky immediately after application, so it’s definitely best to wait a minute or two before applying SPF or makeup over top. Texture aside, the moisturizer is infused with hyaluronic acid, and polyglutamic acid (which boosts the efficacy of hyaluronic acid), as well as balancing and brightening plum and ice willowherb. While quite gentle, it’s formulated with fragrance but considering the moisturizer has earned over 100,000 Sephora likes, it’s safe to say the scent isn't a deterrent. 

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, Hyaluronic acid, Plum, and Ice willowherb | Size: 1.7 oz. | Texture: Wet and lightweight | Scented: Yes

Best Brightening

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer

View On Amazon $38 View On Sephora $38 View On Paulaschoice.com $38

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  4/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

Hundreds of shoppers tout Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer as the answer to their dull, dry skin woes — and our testers agree. “There was a significant change in my skin's texture after the product sat for 15 minutes — it felt soft to the touch and looked healthier than ever,” one reviewer shares, applauding the shea butter-, borage seed oil-, and ceramide-infused moisturizer. While it quickly absorbs into skin, it does leave a slight film behind. Though it doesn’t pill or feel uncomfortable — it’s just noticeable on the skin. Our tester’s only other complaint is that it slightly stings on contact with sensitive areas. Still, she finds it to be a top pick for daily use.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Borage seed oil, Ceramides, and Omegas 3, 6, and 9 | Size: 1.7 oz. | Texture: Thick and fast-absorbing | Scented: No

Best with SPF

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Moisturizer

View On Sephora $36 View On Fentybeauty.com View On Kohls.com $34

Our Ratings

• Feel
  4.5/5
• Absorption
  4.7/5
• Wear
  4.7/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

It should come as no surprise we've included another popular multi-tasking product from Rihanna’s highly successful beauty line. Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen with Niacinamide is a must, whether you’re looking to combine two steps of your skincare routine or simply hoping for optimal hydration plus a little extra UV protection. The reasoning? This SPF-infused moisturizer is smooth to the touch, spreads onto skin like butter, and absorbs quickly and weightlessly for an end result that doesn’t feel tight or tacky. What’s more, one of our testers found it to be quite cooling. “My skin feels super dewy and supple after applying this product,” she marvels. “Even my driest spots both look and feel hydrated.”

Best of all, this moisturizer-meets-SPF truly goes on invisibly. “What I love the most about this Fenty moisturizer is the fact that it incorporates SPF, yet still manages to keep my skin vibrant and glowy instead of leaving a white cast like many SPF products leave,” our tester adds.

Key Ingredients: Kalahari melon, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 9%, and Octisalate 4.5% | Size: 1.7 oz. | Texture: Lightweight and fast-absorbing | Scented: No added fragrance

Best K-Beauty Moisturizer

Then I Met You Renewing Rich Beauty Cream

View On Amazon $58 View On Thenimetyou.com View On Sokoglam.com $58

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  3.5/5
• Value
  4/5

If you’re a K-Beauty stan with dry skin, add this moisturizer to your beauty arsenal ASAP. We found it deeply hydrating in our lab tests with a refreshing cooling sensation. We noticed the biggest difference in the forehead and chin areas, which absolutely drank up this moisturizer. We’d compare this to a cross between a gel and a cream, with a silky smooth finish that felt delightful on our faces. We noticed a slight dewiness to our skin after applying, but nothing too overwhelming, making this one of our top picks for everyday use. And the fact that the ingredients are vegan, cruelty-free, and all-natural? We’re delighted.

If you’re sensitive to scent, this rich moisturizer for dry skin carries a tinge of smoke from the ginseng. During testing, we also noticed that the amount of product seemed a bit low in the packaging, but we’d still deem this a good mid-high price range moisturizer option. 

Key Ingredients: Black ginseng, Panax ginseng root water, Panax ginseng seed pil, Red ginseng, Squalane, Baobab, Hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.69 oz | Texture: Luxurious and silky | Scented: No added fragrance but smells smoky due to ginseng

Best Texture

Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream

View On Amazon $48 View On Nordstrom $16 View On Sephora $16

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency
  5/5
• Absorption
  4/5
• Dryness
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Value
  3/5

During our original testing, our tester raved about the whipped texture of this gel-based moisturizer. “I was shocked by how well this moisturizer worked,” she raved. “Without making me feel oily or leaving a residue, my skin felt so dewy and glowy and completely moisturized.” She noted that the moisturizer seemed to fill in fine lines and give her a subtle glow, which made her feel confident she could rock this moisturizer with some light concealer versus a full face of makeup. Consider using it as a makeup primer (especially if you have combination skin). 

Since our lab testing, Youth to the People has reformulated the Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer. While the ingredients are the same, the proportions have been updated to focus more on hydration and strengthening the skin barrier. We’re still testing the new version, and we’ll update here once we’ve reached our verdict. 

Key Ingredients: Kale, Spinach, Green tea, Alfalfa, Vitamins C and E | Size: 2 oz | Texture: Lightweight gel | Scented: No added fragrance