Find your new complexion saviour with our one of the best moisturiser for dry skin buys
Dry skin is the worst. Flaky bits appear out of nowhere and feels tight. And if it’s really dry and sensitive, it can also be painful and sore. So using the best moisturiser for dry skin is super important to keep it comfortable and happy. Any old cream just won’t cut it.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin signifies an issue with the skin barrier, so you need a cream that will help to replenish lost moisture and fill in the gaps to restore optimal function. Temporary dryness may be caused by a number of factors. Cold and dry weather, over-washing (think about your hands during the pandemic) and hormonal changes may all contribute to a complexion that feels tight and drier than the Sahara Desert. If your actual skin type is dry, however, it’s most likely determined by your genetics or even an underlying skin condition.
What makes the best moisturiser for dry skin?
These differ vastly from the best moisturisers for oily skin. Applied after your best face serums, they’re developed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid (which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water), fortifying hydrators and soothing ingredients. These clever formulas can also attract moisture from the environment, drawing it deep into your dermis. They also defend your skin’s protective barrier against environmental aggressors such as pollution, which then helps to lock in 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.
‘Try a rich emollient cream as this will soften and smooth out any flakiness on a dry face whilst adding in that much-needed moisture boost,’ adds consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. ‘If in any doubt, speak to a dermatologist, GP or sales assistant to find the perfect moisturiser to suit your individual needs. There is no one size fits all when it comes to skincare.’
But there’s more to keeping your skin hydrated than simply applying moisturiser. One of the common causes of dry patches is dead cells adhering to your skin, so invest in the best cleanser that contains gentle exfoliating ingredients to break down the bonds holding those dead skin cells together. Follow this with the best toner for your dry complexion, which will boost hydration and your moisturiser will then sink in to your skin better and be as effective as it possibly can.
And then when it comes to make-up, finish off with one of the best foundations for dry skin to keep your complexion looking healthy and glowing throughout the day. Scroll through for our round-up of the best moisturiser for dry skin to help you find one that suits your budget and lifestyle.
Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream, £85 | Caudalie
Best for fighting the visible signs of ageing:
Need a cream that delivers loads of results? Packed full of anti-ageing technology (that’s been developed by Harvard Medical School), this cream targets lines and wrinkles and improves the skin’s elasticity. By combining hyaluronic acid and Caudalie's exclusive vine sap, it combats dark spots and prevents dry, peeling skin too.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: 10 years of scientific research went into perfecting this formula.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream, £7.20 | Lookfantastic
Best affordable moisturiser for dry skin:
CeraVe might not have the sexiest packaging, but boy does the dry skin cream inside make up for that. This purse-friendly cream is rich and nourishing, but not greasy at all. It uses this clever thing called MVE Delivery Technology that releases the much-needed ingredients throughout the day, exactly when you need them. It's also a great, gentle cream for dry or itchy skin conditions like eczema, as it supports a compromised skin barrier.
Why it gets Marie Claire seal of approval: It's purse-friendly and really, really good.
Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream, £69 | Lookfantastic
Best moisturiser for dry, sensitive skin:
Kate Somerville's skin clinic in LA is a hotspot for celebrities. She's their go-to for all things skin. You don't need to cross the Atlantic to get super hydrated and calm skin. This little tub of joy is ideal if you have slightly sensitive skin, it cocoons skin in moisture and instantly feels soothed.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: We would trust A-list aesthetician Kate Somerville with our lives.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, £28 | Lookfantastic
One of the best-selling moisturisers for dry skin:
One of the most iconic moisturisers on the planet - 10 are sold every minute. It's famous for replenishing skin. Despite being lightweight in texture, it continues to hydrate throughout the day. It's also been developed to care for complexions in even the harshest climates.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: That many people can't be wrong...
Skinceuticals Emollience, £70 | Lookfantastic
Best high-end moisturiser for dry skin:
If you have dry skin, its natural protection is weak and vulnerable, which makes it super fragile. Nothing is more gentle and more hydrating on skin than this cream by Skinceuticals. It's water-based and rich in valuable lipids, natural extracts and essentials oils that cocoon the skin in softness.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: No fuss, no frills, delivers on its promises.
Weleda Skin Food, from £8.25 | Cult Beauty
Best rich cream for dry skin:
This cream is not for the faint-hearted. It is so thick and rich that it can be used all over the body, but some people think it makes the best moisturiser for super dry skin on the face too. You have been warned.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A cult multipurpose classic that counts Victoria Beckham among its fans.
Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, £67 | Feelunique
Best hydrating moisturiser for dry skin:
Keeping your skin's mosuture levels up for eight hours, the non greasy formula doesn't leave a layer of greasy, oiliness behind and keeps skin soft, smooth and comfortable.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: It's rich, but not at all greasy.
Sisley Velvet Nourishing Cream, £152 | Liberty
Best luxury buy:
If you have nearly £150 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.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A dreamy luxury that's worth every penny.
Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream, £14.62 | Boots
Best for dry, sensitive skin:
One of Japan's best-selling brands is now available on UK shores, and we're obsessed. Although it's described as an intensive cream and is lovely and thick, it importantly doesn't feel too greasy on your skin. It supports your skin barrier with a thick dose of hydration, and it's nothing short of excellent.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Instantly soothes tight skin.
Avène Hydrance Rich-UV Hydrating Cream SPF 30, £16.50 | Lookfantastic
Best for sore, uncomfortable skin:
When skin is so dry that it feels tight and sore, this soothes and prevents further moisture-loss. It works particularly well in Winter when skin needs an extra boost, and comes with the added bonus of SPF 30.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A French pharmacy must-have.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser, £12.99 | Boots
Best lightweight moisturiser for dry skin:
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.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: It makes the perfect summer lightweight hydrator.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, £13 | Lookfantastic
Best French pharmacy moisturiser:
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.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Make-up artists swear by it.
Lumene Nordic Hydra Hydration Rescue 24H Replenishing Balm, £17.90 | Feelunique
Best nourishing formula:
When your skin is in need of rescuing, maybe the weather has turned or you've used a pretty punch peel, this will boost your skin's moisture levels leaving it smooth, plump and nourished.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: It's basically a skin rescue in a pot.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, £30 | Cult Beauty
Best repairing cream:
When your skin is dry and tight, you want a cream to do two things. One - envelop the skin in moisture, making it feel more comfortable. Two - penetrate deep into the dermal layers to improve hydration from within.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval Korean skincare at its best.
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, £45 | Cult Beauty
Best plumping moisturiser:
If you're after a sustainable option, Biossance combines scientific research with sustainable practices. Each of their products contains a sugarcane-derived squalane (rather than squalene, which is found is sharks) that helps seal in moisture. This nourishing cream banishes flakes, seals in moisture and leaves skin plump and happy. The packaging is also completely recyclable.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A brand that has sustainability at its core.
Augustinus Bader The Cream, £215 | SpaceNK
Best science-y cream:
You've probably seen Augustinus Bader on some of your favourite celebrities' Instagram feed. Victoria Beckham loves it, Diane Kruger can't get enough and Marie Claire is just as obsessed. The science behind it a special complex that has previously been used to heal burnt skin. It's been a total game-changer in the industry for good reason.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A scientifically-proven skin healer.
Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream, from £14.06 | Beauty Pie
Best for hydration:
The entire Japanfusion range from Beauty Pie utilises three different forms of hyaluronic acid. Skin is transformed after just one use – gone is any evidence of dry and dehydrated skin.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A triple hyaluronic acid threat.
La Roche-Posay Nutritic Intense Riche, £18 | Lookfantastic
Best drugstore moisturiser for dry skin:
This rich cream floods the skin with moisture and reinforces the skin's barrier function, meaning that skin is happier for longer. Dermatologists love it and, naturally, so do we.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Affordable luxury.
