However, although every stage of your skin-care regimen is important, dry-skin types are often needed to pay more attention to the moisturizing step in order to prevent flaking and excruciatingly tight, sandpaper-like skin. In contrast, not every moisturizer will be effective for extremely dry skin, particularly during the colder seasons.
A thick cream is absolutely necessary in order to fully comfort your skin; a thin lotion-type moisturizer will not suffice, particularly if your skin has reached the cracked, scaly stage of dryness. We’ll go into the specifics of what you should look for in a moisturizer, such as the ingredients and texture, further down the page, thanks to the assistance and advice of almost a dozen dermatologists.
Some of the Strategists’ favorites were also included in the mix. A team of specialists has selected the following 10 moisturizers for your consideration. Despite our best efforts, maintaining a supple complexion may be a difficult undertaking (humidifiers, masks, more water, less wine).
Finding the correct moisturizer for your skin type, on the other hand, makes a significant impact. Your moisturizer should, at a bare minimum, hydrate and nourish your skin.
Although it seems to be straightforward, the advantages are many. Supporting the skin barrier also helps to keep the skin healthier and more robust, which reduces the likelihood of it being injured or infected.
Here is our list:
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair
Dry, sensitive skin and eczema might benefit from this fast-absorbing, thick moisturizer, which delivers both immediate and long-term hydration. Instantaneous absorption of the award-winning Ultra Repair Cream provides rapid treatment for dry skin.
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, as well as the whole family. This soothing moisturizer, which contains Colloidal Oatmeal, leaves your skin feeling smooth, moisturized, and comfortable after just one use.
First Aid Beauty’s $1 million pledge to pay off student debts will be supplemented by a ten percent portion of retail sales of Ultra Repair Cream. If you have dry, flaky skin that is prone to irritation, you will appreciate this creamy, soothing moisturizer.
It’s a bit heavier than you may expect. It’s created with shea butter and colloidal oatmeal, both of which are recognized for their ability to soothe the itch.
Weleda Skin Food
Weleda Skin Food, which contains only natural ingredients and is recommended by everyone from makeup artists to former Strategist writers to author Stephanie Danler, is an excellent choice for those who want to keep their skin-care routine as natural as possible while still using products that are effective.
“My complexion was perfect, even glowing at times, and not at all oily,” says the author. It is marketed by Weleda as a natural cure for severely dry skin, and the company claims it is effective (though it does offer a light version for the summer or those who need less help).
Despite the fact that it does not include components such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which we have already mentioned, it is packed with fatty acids and vitamin E, both of which naturally moisturize and soften the skin.
Pansy also has the added benefit of soothing inflammation, while the calendula flower extract aids in the restoration of damaged skin.
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Although it has the appearance of shaving cream, this thick, fluffy moisturizer has a concentrated concentration of hydrating chemicals.
In addition to being fragrance-free (which means it will not bother sensitive skin), it includes beneficial plant oils and vegetable-derived fatty acids to moisten dry cheeks without the use of silicones or waxes, which is a plus for sensitive skin.
According to cosmetic cop Paula Begoun, it is one of the best facial moisturizers on the market. It absorbs quickly into the skin and helps to restore moisture to a flaky face.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM
For dry, irritated skin, this is one of the finest drugstore moisturizers available, thanks to the presence of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and ethyl alcohol among other components that help to heal dry, irritated skin.
In addition to providing constant 24-hour maximum hydration while calming the skin, these substances help to keep cells together and reinforce the skin’s barrier, therefore protecting it against water loss and invasion of irritants.
Also included is the antioxidant niacinamide, which works as an anti-inflammatory, calming down any redness and soreness that may be present in the dry skin regions. Additionally, it is noncomedogenic (meaning it will not clog pores), lightweight, and oil-free, in addition to being restorative to the skin.
And, despite the fact that it’s marketed as a nighttime moisturizer, you are not required to use it just at night, although that is when you will most likely see the most noticeable improvements.
Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50
This moisturizer takes care of everything. It contains a glycerin and shea butter basis, which makes it very moisturizing.
Additionally, it includes SPF 50, a potent dosage of antioxidants derived from coffee seed and apples, as well as tone-enhancing compounds like niacinamide and licorice extract.
Reviewers with a variety of skin tones agree that it blends in well and does not leave a gray cast on their complexion. This is a wonderful option if you tend to forget to apply sunscreen on a daily basis.
This moisturizer with SPF is the perfect choice for you and your best friend.
Augustinus Bader The Cream
This high-end (excellent and pricey) cream is the genuine thing. In the words of Kathleen Hou, beauty director of The Cut, it is the “secret to rich-person skin,” while Rio Viera-Newton, beauty writer for the Strategist, has called it “the most desired cream in the business” at one point. It is also highly recommended by dermatologists and other skincare professionals alike.
When it comes to those who want a one-and-done product, Kim Zimmerman of Rescue Spa in Philadelphia recommends it for those who prefer a one-and-done product, particularly on “the laziest evenings when you don’t have time to slather on a million serums, but still, want all the anti-aging benefits.”
Due to the presence of the brand’s exclusive TFC8 mix, which is a combination of natural amino acids, vitamins, and synthetic compounds that are really naturally present in the skin, it is especially effective for dry, aging skin.
This then directs the substances into the cells, assisting in the restoration of the skin. Apart from that, it contains antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B5, as well as hydrolyzed rice protein, all of which help to enhance the look and texture of the skin while also profoundly hydrating it.
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Technically, the Augustinus Bader cream may also be used as an anti-aging moisturizer, but this SkinCeuticals moisturizer is particularly formulated to address the indications of aging that have been identified.
This is due to the fact that it contains certain lipids — such as natural cholesterol, pure ceramides, and fatty acids — that are naturally depleted in the skin as a result of environmental exposure.
Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, a partner at Modern Dermatology and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, believes that re-introducing these lipids into the skin may help maintain the skin’s barrier and help the skin retain moisture making this the best overall moisturizer for colder months. However, it is another pick of those greasy creams.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
There are individuals who have skin that is prone to becoming parched and flaky, especially during the winter months, and then there are others whose skin is so dry that it may seem scaly and, as a consequence, is very difficult to feed.
Dermatologists prescribe Aquaphor for those who fall into the latter type. Ointments are the most effective in strengthening the skin barrier and keeping moisture in. The use of glycerin may also aid in the restoration of a broken skin barrier, which is a typical cause of a loss of moisture.
Despite the fact that it’s rather oily, it’s excellent for use immediately after a shower or bath to seal in moisture and aid in the healing of dry, cracked skin. As an added bonus, it is fragrance-free, making it a suitable choice for individuals with sensitive skin as well.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
La Roche-Posay, a French drugstore brand with a cult following, has a Toleriane line for dry skin that dermatologists highly recommend.
With dimethicone, soothing niacinamide, water-attracting glycerin, and hydrating ceramides, the Toleriane line is excellent at replenishing moisture to dry skin that is prone to inflammation.
Moreover, this moisturizer is recommended for individuals who have acne-prone skin, particularly if you are treating your acne with drying chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide. It’s also a good alternative for those who have mixed skin, which might need the use of many moisturizers.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream
If you grew up with Clinique’s three-step technique but are looking for something a little more luxurious, this upgraded version of the cult classic may be for you.
Rough spots are easily smoothed down with the velvety cream. Its high concentration of antioxidants and emollients, such as glycerin and petrolatum, ensures that skin remains pleasant and soft throughout the day.
A very good option for the given price point, combining mineral oil, salicylic acid, and other active ingredients.
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm
Dermatologists at Mount Sinai, also recommended Aquaphor and Vanicream for those who suffer from eczema since it is unlikely that they would produce any form of allergic response. Also the best night cream for oily skin according to many.
However, if you’re looking for a more particular solution, Aveeno’s eczema-therapy range, which includes body lotions and eczema-specific treatments such as this itch-relief balm, has been recommended by many specialists.
Instead of merely hydrating, they propose that persons with eczema employ substances that are relaxing and anti-inflammatory in nature.
She explains that skin irritation is a core feature of eczema, and that this Aveeno cream with colloidal oatmeal and, almond oil which is naturally anti-inflammatory, can help calm any flare-ups that may occur.
Ceramides are also present, which help to enhance the overall condition of the skin with regular usage. Avenno is combining essential oils, which makes it a great option.
SkinCeauticals Daily Moisture
A lightweight face moisturizer for normal to oily skin that hydrates, nourishes, and helps to minimize the appearance of pore size, Daily Moisture is ideal for everyday use.
With an unusual mix of vitamin E, three nutrient-rich algal extracts, and a combination of seven plant extracts, this formula with lactic acid and fatty lipids in combination with additional different formulas, helps to preserve and leave skin supple without leaving behind a greasy residue.
When it comes to oily skin, this is the moisturizer to choose. For skin types ranging from normal to oily to combination. A very good choice for your favorite moisturizers.
The Bottom Line
Different products are for different people. For your daily use, you must find the product that best suits your skin. Firstly, determine do you have a combination skin type. If that is the case, you have a heavier barrier on your skin to conquer.
Common humectants found in moisturizers include urea, glycerol, sorbitol, glycerin, aloe vera gel, and lactic acid might help you.
Also sealing agents aka emollients help the skin retain moisture. Your doctor would most likely check you and inquire about your medical history before diagnosing you with dry skin. You might talk about when your dry skin began, what elements make it better or worse, what your bathing habits are, and how you take care of your skin in general.
In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you undergo some tests to see if your dry skin is caused by a medical problem, such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Frequently, dry skin is a sign of another skin disorder, such as dermatitis or psoriasis, rather than a standalone condition.
Many lifestyle changes, such as applying moisturizers and avoiding lengthy, hot showers and baths, may help to improve the condition of dry skin. If you have really dry skin, your doctor may suggest a moisturizing cream that has been specially developed for you.
If you have a significant skin condition, your doctor may recommend that you use a prescription cream or ointment to treat it.
Using a hydrocortisone-containing lotion on itchy dry skin may help to alleviate the issue. Depending on how much your skin has cracked open, your doctor may prescribe moist dressings to help prevent the infection from spreading.
Read more articles in the Lifestyle category