The 13 Best Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

5

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Those searching for a simple, straightforward option: the Vanicream Daily Face Moisturizer is the way to go. Not only does it work well for dry skin on your face, it can also be applied anywhere else on your body. Despite being one of the most lightweight options on this list, it imparts plenty of moisture, all thanks to a formula loaded with hyaluronic acid and five ceramides.

According to our tester, it goes on sheer and absorbs into the skin right away, making it suitable to wear under makeup during the day. It even boasts the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Approval, so you can rest assured knowing that no matter how you use it, any dry, itchy patches will be taken care of gently and efficiently. Though it’s great on its own, the tester noted that because it’s not super thick, those with ultra-dry skin might benefit more if they layered a richer cream on top of it.

Price at time of publish: $13

Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 8 oz. or 16 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Budget

Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid

4.6

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Cetaphil’s Daily Hydrating Lotion is a drugstore must-have for two main reasons: It’s recommended by most dermatologists and can be tolerated by even the most sensitive skin types. An affordable formula that’s lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic, and tough on dry spots is hard to come by, which is why our tester was so impressed. (As was another round of testers—this exact formula won Best Overall in our drugstore moisturizer test.) Thanks to nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and humectants, it helps plump the skin and provide it with a ton of moisture. Best of all, it’s super hygienic. Its air-tight pump ensures that you won’t contaminate it with grubby fingers (or risk getting anything in it).

Price at time of publish: $13

Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin | Skin Type: Dry, Combination, Sensitive | Size: 3 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Drugstore

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

4.8

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Want to hydrate your skin without shelling out the big bucks? There’s no better option than this wallet-friendly standout (which, to be honest, is so good that it can beat out many of its pricier counterparts). The stars of this formula are moisture-locking hyaluronic acid and three types of ceramides that work together to ward off dryness on both the face and body. And, because it comes in a huge tub, you don’t have to use it sparingly. Just scoop out however much you need and rub it into your dry skin. Though we love the fact that the tub houses a ton of creamy goodness, we’re not huge fans of how unhygienic it can become. To keep it as clean as possible, be sure to wash your hands before using to avoid contaminating the cream with unclean fingers.

Price at time of publish: $17

Ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 16 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Mature Skin

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

4.8

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Best for those with mature skin in need of a little boost, this hydrating cream is packed with plumping and brightening ingredients like polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, and plum. It’s lightweight yet whipped so it blends into the skin easily, but by no means disappears. In fact, the cream imparts a dewy-looking glow that remains all day. According to our tester, her skin looked less dry and more glass-like after application.

Those with dry or combination skin will love this one most, but oilier friends can use it too since it contains ice willowherb, an ingredient that helps reduce oil and support the skin microbiome. For best results, apply a dime-size amount onto clean skin morning and night. Once you’ve inevitably finished the jar (which is made with 20% post-consumer recycled materials), you can purchase recyclable refills so you don’t contribute to as much waste.

Price at time of publish: $39

Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Polyglutamic acid, Ice willowherb | Skin Type: Dry, Combination | Size: 1.7 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

4.6

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We’re big fans of La Roche-Posay, especially because most products are formulated with sensitive skin in mind. This soothing, fast-absorbing formula contains dermatologist-recommended ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, and the iconic La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water to help repair skin’s protective barrier. It absorbs fast, feels lightweight on the face, and doesn’t leave behind a greasy sheen, making it a fantastic option to wear before makeup. There aren’t many cons about this product, but something we wish we could change is how lightweight it is; those with really dry skin might need extra moisture than this can provide.

Price at time of publish: $20

Ingredients: Niacinamide, Glycerin, Ceramides, Prebiotic thermal water | Skin Type: Dry, Combination | Size: 3.2 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Sensitive Skin

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Lightweight Face Moisturizer

4.6

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For those looking to spend a little more, this moisturizer from Paula’s Choice is a great option. Rich in superfood omega fatty acids, replenishing ceramides, and antioxidants, the Omega+ Complex Moisturizer nourishes delicate skin and calms down any signs of stress and irritation. Best of all, it helps strengthen the skin’s barrier to prevent further agitation from happening in the future.

If you’ve got any dry, flaky patches, like our tester, you can count on this creamy elixir to restore your skin and give it that sought-after supple feeling. She shared that her skin drank up the moisturizer and after a few minutes, there was a “significant improvement” in the texture of her skin.

Because it contains potentially pore-clogging ingredients like hydrogenated olive oil, those especially prone to breakouts might want to steer clear of this one or perform a patch test to see how their skin reacts.

Price at time of publish: $35

Ingredients: Omega oils, Shea butter, Passion fruit extract, Guava extract  | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best with SPF

Fenty Beauty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

5

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Most people know that SPF is key to a happy complexion, but not everyone applies it every single day. If you struggle remembering sunscreen, opt for a moisturizer that already contains sun protection, like Fenty Skin’s Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30. This refillable two-in-one sunscreen moisturizer is easy on skin (it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic), but tough on dark spots. Our tester found it to be super dewy and hydrating, making it a fantastic option to wear either on its own or underneath makeup. In fact, she even mentioned how it ticked all of her boxes (she was pleased with the value and efficacy) and she couldn’t find any actual flaws in the product. It’s worth mentioning that if you intend on applying it for sun protection—using half a teaspoon for your face and neck every two hours—you may run out sooner rather than later. To make it last longer, we recommend applying a separate sunscreen (of at least SPF 30) every few hours to ensure you’re completely protected.

Price at time of publish: $38

Ingredients: Kalahari melon, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Aloe  | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Texture

EltaMD AM Therapy Face Moisturizer

4.8

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If you’re dealing with skin texture—whether it be from acne, dry skin, or an eczema flare up—look for a moisturizer that will go on smooth, feel lightweight, and calm the skin. The EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer does just that: It moisturizes skin easily, leaves very little residue visible to the naked eye, and offers a cooling effect upon application. The sheer, non-comedogenic formula helps stimulate cells to increase absorption and retention, while willow bark non-irritatingly stimulates skin cell turnover. Plus, the hero ingredient niacinamide helps even out skin tone and texture for a more radiant appearance. Our tester, who hates the look of a white cast, was especially pleased with the fact that it was invisible and absorbed almost right away. She also appreciated its unexpected “glowy” and “hydrated” finish that feels like therapy for the skin.

Price at time of publish: $39

Ingredients: Niacinamide, Willow bark extract, Glycerin, Caffeine | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Redness

Embryolisse Lait Crème

4.8

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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 makeup artist loved moisturizer addresses exactly that with the help of shea butter. At the same time, it also has soothing ingredients (like aloe vera) for instant relief and help fighting redness. After application, our tester saw a noticeable change in her skin’s hydration levels. She noted that it felt “softer” and “plumper” to the touch. It also calmed the redness due to rosacea on her cheeks and helped even out the look of texture—a major win for those with sensitive skin. The product does contain some perfume, so be aware of that if your skin reacts badly to fragrance.

Price at time of publish: $29

Ingredients: Shea butter, Aloe vera | Skin Type: Dry skin | Size: 2.54 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Multitasking

Alleyoop Dream Team 3-in-1 Moisturizer Eye Cream & Mask

4.8

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For those with a more minimalist approach to skincare, allow us to introduce you to a three-in-one moisturizer that should be on your radar. A first-of-its-kind formula, the moisturizer moonlights as an eye cream and a face mask, so you can cut down on the amount of products you use in your routine. It has a cloud-like texture that our tester loved—she said three pumps was the perfect amount. Not only does it feel super luxurious, but it absorbs into skin right away, with no stickiness or oiliness after. Keep in mind that the formula does contain macadamia nut oil, so if you’re allergic to (or just sensitive to) nuts, you may want to perform a spot test to make sure you won’t have a reaction or avoid it altogether.

Price at time of publish: $35

Ingredients: Squalane, Macadamia nut oil, Hyaluronic acid, Coconut oil | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.68 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Whipped

Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer

4.4

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A moisturizer that benefits all skin types is hard to find, which is why we love the Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer. The formula is packed with kale, spinach, and green tea to deliver phytonutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants into the skin, kind of like a green smoothie for your face. It smells amazing and has a really nice air-whipped texture, which the tester claimed was “like luxury in a jar” and that using it felt like she was treating herself.

Price at time of publish: $48

Ingredients: Kale, Hyaluronic acid, Green tea  | Skin Type: Oily, Combo, Normal, Dry | Size: 2 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Natural

Then I Met You Renewing Rich Beauty Cream

4.5

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If you can get past the formula’s slight smokey smell (thank you, ginseng), this moisturizer is a fantastic choice for those in search of something more natural. Loaded with a blend of ginseng, squalane, baobab, and hyaluronic acid, it offers a soothing finish without being overly heavy. Our tester, who was a huge fan, especially loved how the consistency was a cross between a gel and a cream that her skin “drank right up.” She also lauded at the fact that it offers a cooling sensation that left her skin feeling refreshed and smooth.

Price at time of publish: $58

Ingredients: Black ginseng, Panax ginseng root water, Panax ginseng seed oil, Red ginseng  | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 1.69 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes