Find your new dry skin saviour
Dry skin is the worst. This is a fact of life that no one can argue. You get flaky bits appear out of nowhere, it can feel tight and if it’s really, really dry it can be painful and sore. Keeping dry skin moisturised is important, but using the best moisturiser for dry skin is even more vital. Any old cream just won’t cut it.
They differ from regular lotions, which are the best moisturisers for oily skin, the best moisturiser for dry skin is developed with things like hyaluronic acid (which can hold 1,000 times its weight in water), fortifying hydrators and soothing ingredients.
These clever formulas also attract moisture from the environment and draw it deep into your dermis as well as defend your skin’s protective barrier against environmental aggressors such as pollution, which then works at locking in any moisture. ‘Choose a good quality light moisturiser that soaks in readily, rather than just sitting on the surface of the skin,’ advises Dr Ross Perry, cosmetic doctor and managing director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics.
But there’s more to keeping your skin hydrated than simply applying moisturiser. One of the common causes of dry patches is due to dead cells adhering to your skin, so invest in a good face cleanser containing ingredients that gently exfoliate to break down the bonds that hold those dead skin cells together. Your moisturiser will then sink in to your skin better and be as effective as it can possibly be. Finish off with one of the best foundations for dry skin and your complexion will stay healthy and glowing throughout the day.
Best moisturiser for dry skin on the face
Skinceuticals Emollience, £70
If you have dry skin, that mean’s the skin’s natural protection is weakened and vulnerable, making it super fragile. Nothing is more gentle and more hydrating on skin than this. It’s water-based, and rich in valuable lipids, natural extracts and essentials oils that will cocoon.
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Best moisturiser for dry skin on body
Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, £22.50, ameliorate.com
Containing their specially formed LaH6 hydration complex and alpha-hydroxy acids, this exfoliating lotion is a great buy if you’re looking for all-round smoother skin or, more specifically, to minimise the appearance of keratosis pilaris.
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Dry, sore skin be gone.
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser, £12.99 from Boots
If you’re after lightweight hydration rather than creamy nourishment, then Neutrogena’s gel moisturiser is an absolute dream. This one’s all about its hyaluronic acid, which draws in water and essentially locks it to your skin cells, meaning all-day hydration without any greasiness.
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Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, £70 from John Lewis
After using her secret ‘magic cream’ on the likes of Kate Moss for decades, Charlotte Tilbury finally shared it with the world - and we’re ever so grateful. It’s pricey, but with ingredients like camellia oil, peptides, frangipane extract and hyaluronic acid, it completely gives life to dry, lacklustre skin - especially if you take an extra couple of minutes to really massage it in.
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Tata Harper Créme Riche, £185 from Cult Beauty
Don’t mind the price tag - Tata’s latest cream is all you need to transform parched skin. Packed with 43 natural active ingredients like red maple bark to fight free radicals and winged kelp to tone, it’s literally fantastic skin in a jar. Warm up a tiny dab between your hands until it turns white and creamy, then massage into your skin and see the amazing difference.
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Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Nourishing Moisturiser, £20 from Beauty Expert
You can find a tube of this hero cream inside the kits of pretty much every famed makeup artist. Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, it preps the skin for makeup beautifully, and also works wonders as a flash moisture mask, makeup remover, razor bump remedy, and for your everyday moisturiser.
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Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture
Keeping your skin's mosuture levels up for 8 hours, the non greasy formula doesn't leave a layer of greasy, oiliness behind and keeps skin soft, smooth and comfortable.
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Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, from £24 Fabled
It's called Moisture Surge, because that's exactly what it does - it gives skin a surge of moisture. Because of it's clever formula, your skin actually feels more hydrated at the end of the day.
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Kiehls Skin Rescuer, £29.50 John Lewis
It does EXACTLY what it says on the tin. It rescues your skin. It's aimed to minimise the effects of stress on the skin, which in some cases is dehydration and dryness. It's like a superhero that swoops in, sorts your skin out and then leaves again. Keep it in your cupboard for those days when your skin is so angry and dry, then go back to your normal day cream once skin has been rescued.
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Sisley Velvet Nourishing Cream, £143 John Lewis
If you have £143 to spend on a day cream, then you should do it. Sisley know how to create a beautiful moisturiser and this one is no different. This cream can be used day and night and eases tightness, calms redness, soothes discomfort. This cream is all about making your skin feel comfortable and that's thanks to the Saffron flower extract.
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Dr Hauschka Tinted Day Cream, £28.50 John Lewis
You COULD just get the Rose Day Cream, but this tinted version is so much better. Be warned it is thick, but your dry skin will love it.
