13 Best Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin, According to Testing

Get dry skin to feel silky smooth with this pick, formulated with glycerin for lightweight moisture and squalane for plumping. Loved by editors and consumers alike, this moisturizer leaves skin feeling "soft" and "dewy," without residue. Kiehl's iconic facial cream, though pricey, earned the most consistent top scores of all the moisturizers we tested: It kept skin hydrated for up to six hours, according to our Corneometer data. When our consumer testers adopted it into their daily skincare routines, 85% agreed they'd continue using it. Testers loved that it's not strongly scented, and one enjoyed "how smooth the lotion spread on my face — didn't feel too thick or greasy." One tester added: "I get dry patches on my chin and cheeks, and this helped with feeling hydrated."

No frills needed with this CeraVe formula. For less than $15, it delivers a fragrance-free formula packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides that leaves normal and dry skin types feeling hydrated. This daily face lotion tied for the most moisturizing option we evaluated in our Lab — it increased skin hydration by 48.1% over six hours, according to our tests. We also found that it absorbed quickly into skin, and testers raved that it didn't leave a greasy feel behind. One shared that "it went on smoothly, was not greasy, absorbed well and made my face feel very soft." The only caveats? Compared to other moisturizers we tried, it didn't rate high for plumping skin or soothing.

Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women's Dermatologic Society, calls this her current favorite moisturizer from EltaMD. Though billed as a mask, the soothing cream is designed to be left on overnight for maximum hydration. She loves that it includes the brand's patented combination of three amino acids (AAComplex), which "helps strengthen the skin barrier, visibly reduces the appearance of redness and improves hydration." Online reviewers share that they think it's pricey, but they love that they don't wake up feeling greasy and that it doesn't feel like a heavy overnight mask.

For the man who's in a hurry, this multitasking face moisturizer can also be used as an eye cream. Ideal for dry skin, the multi-purpose moisturizer boasted powerful hydration in Lab testing, with Corneometer data showing that skin hydration increased by 30.4% in six hours. Our Lab experts found the formula to feel moisturizing yet light, though it took some time to fully absorb into the skin. Lab scientists found it didn't give a greasy look despite strong hydration powers, and if all that wasn't enough, the moisturizer was also non-irritating, even when applied under the eyes and after shaving, proving itself to be a great buy for those with drier, irritation-prone skin.

Protect and moisturize your skin at the same time with this top-tested Vichy face moisturizer with SPF. Packed with classic hydrating heroes like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and peptides, this cream came out on top in GH Beauty Lab face sunscreen testing for making skin feel moisturized. It didn't sting or irritate, leave a white cast or interfere with makeup either. While many sunscreens can often leave a residue on the skin, this one didn't: "It was very moisturizing without being greasy," a tester noted. Testers were split on the "musky" smell of this product: Around 70% liked the scent, while the rest were put off by it.

Did you know that makeup maven Charlotte Tilbury actually began making this moisturizer backstage at fashion shows to prep models' skin? The coveted cream has long been a favorite amongst editors, providing both instant and long-lasting hydration. One of our editors swears by it in the winter or any time her already dry skin is feeling extra parched, applying it under makeup to avoid any dry patches. It gives her a glowing, natural look and doesn't pill under SPF or foundation. We also love that it's refillable. One thing to note is that this may not be best for acne-prone skin, as some online reviewers share it has caused breakouts for them.

Boasting the highest consumer satisfaction (95%!) in our tests, Aveeno's daily moisturizer for dry skin offers a fragrance-free formula with hydrating glycerin and oat that both soothed and calmed skin. It earned perfect scores among testers for absorbing quickly, as well as for leaving skin feeling both hydrated and smooth. In terms of the formula's texture, it tied for first, with the majority of testers agreeing it didn't feel too thick upon application. "I loved that it did not take a lot to work it into my skin, and it did not leave my skin feeling sticky. It felt very sheer," one said. It's worth noting that many testers had difficulty opening the lotion tube, causing product to squirt out.

Pleasing to the skin and senses, this Philosophy moisturizer is a win-win. Our testers overwhelmingly praised its great floral smell, and it also earned the best marks for leaving skin feeling plumped and soothed. "I have VERY sensitive skin, and this felt wonderful," one tester said. "It's really tough to find something [with scent] that doesn't irritate my skin!" Expect an enjoyable texture while applying — the lightweight lotion offers a part gel, part cream and part lotion consistency, according to testers, with many noting how well it worked under primer and makeup. Keep in mind that it takes a moment to absorb and can feel "sticky" or "tacky" to the touch before fully blended into skin.

When feeling particularly parched, La Roche-Posay's hydrating formula quenches nearly instantaneously — 95% of testers attested to its quick-absorbing properties — without leaving a greasy feeling behind. It also touts a fragrance-free formula, which is ideal for a moisturizer for sensitive skin as fragrance can potentially irritate or cause allergic reactions. Its "creamy" texture is packed with glycerin and ceramides, which lock in moisture. "I buy medical-grade moisturizers and this, to me, is much better than what I’ve been using," one tester said. "After applying, my skin felt very smooth and soft. [That] feeling remained all day." A con we noticed in our Lab evaluations is that it pilled on skin.

Nearly on par with our top-tested face cream, this fragrance-free moisturizer hydrated skin by 41% over six hours, according to our data. It's coupled with moisturizing glycerin, firming peptides and anti-aging niacinamide, an ingredient known for smoothing out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Though we found it offered a nice, smooth texture, testers also said the formula layers on a bit thicker and during our in-Lab moisturization study, the cream left a white cast on skin, especially on medium to darker skin tones.

Algenist puts the 'G' in genius with its anti-aging night cream that visibly reduced the appearance of wrinkles, according to Beauty Lab testers. Rejuvenate skin with the collagen and ceramide-filled formula that scored best for firming — improving skin elasticity by 33% in four weeks. The GH Beauty Award winner also impressed our experts by evening out skin tone. Our consumer testers praised its moisturizing capabilities, ranking it high for leaving skin feeling significantly softer. It's worth noting that a little bit goes a long way here as one user found the consistency matched more of a thick "gel-cream hybrid" that took longer to absorb.

A moisturizer may not work miracles, but RoC's face cream sure comes close. After just one week of use, testers reported more radiant and dramatically smoother skin (by 32%). Data evaluations revealed that this GH Seal holder left skin looking more radiant after just one week of use and improved the look of wrinkles after four weeks. The retinol-based formula combines hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to counteract any dryness or irritation caused by the notoriously tricky ingredient. With that said, skin types prone to sensitivity should err on the side of caution and slowly introduce this cream into skincare routines.

Dry skin types likely know all too well of this all-purpose balm. Aquaphor's healing ointment earns its popularity from forming a barrier on skin that locks in moisture. What's more, it's clinically proven to restore smooth, healthy skin, while also decreasing dryness, irritation and skin cracking. The GH Beauty Award winner wowed our chemists with its soothing qualities. Unlike other petrolatum-based formulas, this one combines glycerin and panthenol that hydrates skin, without feeling sticky to the touch. Best of all, it works for all areas of skin. No cuticle or elbow is too dry. Some even use it for slugging dry skin as part of their nighttime routine. Since it's known to protect the skin barrier, just know that product can sit on skin and not absorb quite as well.