The Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin to Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Best Overall: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

4.7

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One of First Aid Beauty's most beloved products, this is also a favorite of Hayag’s. “This cream contains a host of good ingredients including ceramides, glycerin, and dimethicone," she says. "Additionally, it has squalane, which acts as an occlusive agent, prevents trans-epidermal water loss, and leaves the skin feeling soft." It’s also ideal for those with sensitivity or dryness-related issues, such as eczema, thanks to the addition of soothing colloidal oats, and works equally well anywhere on the body or face. In short, it’s an absolute must-have for anyone with dry skin, hands down.

Active Ingredients: Collodial oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin, FAB antioxidant booster | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Size: 2 oz., 6 oz., 8 oz., or 14 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Budget: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

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For those who want to hydrate their skin but don’t want to shell out the big bucks to do so, there’s no better option than this wallet-friendly standout (which, to be honest, is so good that it’s even better than many of its much pricier counterparts). The stars of the show are hyaluronic acid and three types of ceramides to help both impart and lock in moisture, all in a time-released formula to continuously ward off dryness. It’s another great pick for both face and body, too since it’s non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores.

Active Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Balanced, dry | Size: 12 oz. or 16 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

4.9

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This pick takes a two-fold approach to knock out dryness. One, it imparts hydration (with glycerin and niacinamide), and two, it locks in said moisture by bolstering the strength of the skin barrier. It does the latter, thanks to the addition of ceramides. Hayag, who’s a fan, notes that the niacinamide also helps promote ceramide synthesis to further bolster the skin barrier.

Active Ingredients: Ceramide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water | Skin Type: Sensitive, balanced, combination, dry | Size: 2.5 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Face: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

4.9

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Arguably the thickest, most luxurious, delightfully rich face moisturizer we’ve ever used, even the most stubborn dry spots don’t stand a chance against this guy. The ratio refers to the carefully selected proportions of ceramide to cholesterol to fatty acids—all of which are imperative for maintaining a strong and healthy skin barrier. And yet somehow, despite the fact that it’s very creamy, it’s never the least bit greasy. Go figure.

Active Ingredients: Ceramide 1, ceramide 3, natural cholesterol, fatty acids, essential oil blend | Skin Type: Dry, balanced, oily, combination, sensitive | Size: 1.6 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Body: Mutha Body Butter

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Byrdie editors are big fans of this brand, which offers a small selection of face and body products—all of which offer outstanding results. To combat dryness anywhere on the skin below your chin, this luscious butter can’t be beaten. Originally created by the founder as a way to help combat pregnancy-induced stretch marks (and yes, it can help with that), it’s also a top pick for dry skin. There’s a base of three different whipped butters—shea, cocoa, and mango—all combined with tons of fatty acids and oils. Not to mention that the ingredients are all 100% natural, too.

Active Ingredients: Shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Size: 5.5 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for All Over: Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion

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For those looking for a simple and straightforward option that will work just as well for dry skin on the face as it does for dry skin on the feet, this is the way to go. Yes, generally speaking, it’s best to opt for lotions over more lightweight creams if you have super dry skin, but consider this the exception to the rule. It still imparts plenty of moisture, can be used on the face, hands, body, or feet, and is so gentle that it even boasts the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Approval.

Skin Type: Dry | Size: 8 oz. or 16 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich

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A team Byrdie staple, this pick is pricey but worth it. Along with a line-up of tried-and-true moisturizing ingredients (think: glycerin and shea butter), it also touts protective antioxidants and skullcap, an anti-aging ingredient that boosts collagen production (i.e. helps smooth out wrinkles). There’s a high concentration of urea in the formula, too, an ingredient Hayag says is worth seeking out both because of its hydrating properties and because it can help improve the skin barrier.

Active Ingredients: Purslane extract, skullcap, urea, vitamin E, panthenol, avocado oil, shea butter, grape seed oil, corn oil, olive oil, glycerine | Skin Type: Sensitive, dry, dull | Size: 0.67 oz. or 1.69 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: Avène Trixera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Balm

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Dryness and sensitivity go hand-in-hand—a compromised skin barrier is often the root cause of both issues. Happily, this addresses exactly that with a trio of ceramides, cholesterol, and sterols—all key components of said barrier. At the same time, it also has soothing ingredients (like the brand's patented thermal spring water) for some instant relief and is fragrance-free with no ingredients that could cause any further irritation.

Active Ingredients: Selectiose, lipid-trio, Avene Thermal Spring Water | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 6.7 fl. oz. or 13.5 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Natural: Epara Moisturizing Face Cream

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This one is a little splurgy, but if you’re seeking natural relief for a parched complexion, you can’t go wrong with this luxe moisturizer from Epara. Comforting shea butter pairs with a blend of soothing oils and plant extracts to deeply nourish the skin. Plus, thanks to niacinamide and licorice root extract, you can count on it to help even out skin tone.

Active Ingredients: Shea butter, marula oil, licorice root extract | Skin Type: Dry, combination | Size: 0.5 oz. or 1.69 oz. | SPF: 15 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Anti-Aging: Keys Soulcare Skin Transformation Cream

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Look, keeping your complexion well-hydrated can go a long way towards making it appear more youthful in and of itself. But if you’re wanting a little bit of an extra anti-aging boost, Hayag recommends this cream. As far as hydration goes, she gives it big points for containing both ceramides (to help with skin barrier repair) and dimethicone, which creates a protective layer and makes it feel nice and soft. There’s bakuchiol in the mix, a retinol alternative with similar wrinkle-fighting effects but without the drying side effects that you'd sometimes get with retinol, says Hayag.

Active Ingredients: Bakuchiol, malachite, hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.76 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Radiance-Boosting: EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex

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Dry skin and dull skin also go hand-in-hand; there’s no way that your skin is going to look glowing or radiant if it’s dehydrated. Enter this solution. First and foremost, it’s great for moisturization purposes, touting ceramides, glycerin, dimethicone, and more. Also noteworthy, though, is the addition of fruit enzymes. So it's also formulated to gently help dissolve dead skin while gradually boosting radiance. (The keyword here is "gently," since getting too overzealous with any type of exfoliation is a major no-no if you have dry skin, warns Hayag.)

Active Ingredients: Squalane, biotin, ceramide NP, ceramide NS, ceramide EOS, ceramide EOP, ceramide AP, tocopherol, caprooyl phytosphingosine, caprooyl sphingosine, ficin, actinidin, bromelain | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 1.7 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Multi-Tasking: Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Body Cream

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This veritable classic, a favorite among A-list celebs and beauty editors alike, has been around for decades. Its next-level hydrating power comes from its natural formula that combines sunflower and sweet almond oils with all kinds of plant-based extracts. It’s a saver for stubborn dry patches on areas like elbows or knees, but can also be used on the face, hands, and cuticles. Makeup artists even like using it as a primer or highlighter—it’s that versatile.

Active Ingredients: Pansy, calendula, chamomile, beeswax, sunflower oil | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 2.5 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes