The Best Products for Dry Skin Are Saving My Epidermis In This Arid Weather
Here's everything I swear by to soothe and hydrate.
Struggling with dry skin? You're not alone. "Dry skin can be caused by so many different factors, both internally and externally," explains board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD. "It's more common to see in older age as the skin naturally produces fewer lipids and ceramides, which makes it harder to retain moisture. But other causes I see in my practice are genetics, certain medications, or underlying skin conditions that cause a weaker skin barrier."
Dehydrated skin is particularly common in the winter—and given the recent drastic temperature change on the East Coast (we're dipping to single-digit temperatures), I've been experiencing it more than ever. A dry, tight face that feels like it's going to crack open at any given moment is a feeling I despise more than anything, so I've been relying extra heavily on the best products for dry skin.
Regardless of the cause, you'll want to look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides in your skincare products. A well-rounded dry skin routine also contains a few key players: a gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum, and a rich moisturizer. Depending on the root cause of your dry skin, you may want to add targeted treatment products, such as an anti-aging serum or a nourishing hand cream, for a 360-degree approach to your skincare.
I've tested hundreds of dry skin products over the years and can promise that these 11 are the best of the best. Read ahead to discover my favorite formulas to keep your skin soothed and hydrated.
The Best Products For Dry Skin
- Best Cleanser For Dry Skin: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
- Best Serum For Dry Skin: Keren Bartov Advanced Skin Serum
- Best Moisturizer For Dry Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
- Best Barrier-Repairing Moisturizer For Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer With Niacinamide
- Best Night Cream For Dry Skin: TULA 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream
The key to choosing the right cleanser for dry skin is selecting a formula that removes dirt, makeup, and buildup without using harsh ingredients that further dry it out. Neutrogena's ultra-gentle formula does this pretty well. It's a cream that transforms into a rich, foamy lather when it comes into contact with water, and it contains soothing ingredients such as cica (known for soothing irritation and dryness) and glycerin to help keep water and moisture locked into the skin. Dr. Shirazi recommends this as an option that "cleanses and effectively removes makeup without stripping the skin."
Size: 8.5 oz.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin; Cica
What I Love: It's a gentle formula that doesn't dry out the skin; It's inexpensive
What I Don't: It might feel greasy to someone who has oily skin
Customer Review: "I've been using this for years. Cleans well without irritating skin no matter how many times you wash your face." — Amazon
This serum from Keren Bartov might play a trick on you at first. That's because it's a thick formula that looks like a gel, feels like an oil, and applies like a traditional serum. It has a silky consistency but dries down and absorbs into the skin quickly without clogging pores or causing congestion. Fatty acids and ceramides are the two star ingredients here, as the serum is meant to moisturize and provide skin barrier support for irritated or sensitive skin.
Size: 1 oz.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides
What I Love: A small amount goes a very long way; It absorbs quickly without making the skin look or feel greasy
What I Don't: It's very expensive; It has a slippery finish that makes it feel slightly oily
Review For MC: "I got a facial a few months ago, and the esthetician used this serum on me after telling me that my skin was dry—I've been hooked ever since. For weeks, I've been applying it under my makeup to give myself a more glowy finish (as opposed to a matte one), and it hasn't let me down once." — Danielle Jackson, Senior Beauty Writer
Danielle Jackson became a huge fan of this serum after having it applied during a facial.
There's a lot of talk about skin barriers these days, and if you've ever experienced a damaged one, the likelihood that you've been recommended this moisturizer is probably pretty high. That's because the star ingredient is niacinamide, which is well known for moisturizing while reducing redness and irritation. La Roche-Posay's formula is a no-fuss product that gets the job done without any extra ingredients, such as irritating actives or fragrances, that might further compromise sensitive skin.
Size: 3.38 oz.
Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water; Niacinamide; Glycerin; Ceramides
What I Love: It's a fairly uncomplicated formula that's great for sensitive skin
What I Don't: It pills a bit when you apply it under makeup or other moisturizers
Review For MC: "In my opinion, La Roche-Posay can do no wrong when it comes to moisturizers, and this happens to be one of my favorites from the brand. The moisturizer passes the test in my book because it's fairly inexpensive, it addresses my super-dry, winter skin, and I truly feel like I'm doing my skin a huge favor when I wear it." — Danielle Jackson, Senior Beauty Writer
Danielle Jackson uses the La Roche-Posay Toleraine Moisturizer on her dry skin at night.
The concept of using a night cream—something specifically meant for nighttime— sounds a lot fancier than it is. Still, this moisturizer reminded me that waking up with hydrated skin is easily achievable. That's not to mention that it can also be applied as a day cream. It uses squalane to supercharge dry skin and prevent moisture loss, while peptides help the skin feel firm and plump.
Size: 1.5 oz
Key Ingredients: Squalane; Peptides
What I Love: It's inexpensive; It's non-greasy and doesn't clog pores
What I Don't:
Review For MC: "Unfortunately, I refuse to give up my scolding hot shower temperature, so my skin often feels very dry and tight after my nightly cleanse. I've been a big fan of this moisturizer for years because it's a no-frills product that gets rid of that tightness and makes my skin feel baby soft after just a few minutes." — Danielle Jackson, Senior Beauty Writer
Danielle Jackson applies TULA's Hydrating Day & Night Cream before bed.
Olay's Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream combines two powerhouse moisturizers—hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—to address dryness. It also features a special blend of peptides designed to reduce texture and other signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. The texture is thick-but-not-too-thick, and it's so good at making saggy skin look more lifted, a reviewer recently called it "sheer sorcery in a red jar."
Size: 1.7 oz.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid; Niacinamide; Amino peptide
What I Love: It's not too thick or greasy; It moisturizes without making my skin feel oily; It's non-irritating
What I Don't: Dipping my finger in the jar feels a little unsanitary
Review For MC: "I'm an oily girl, and this winter, my skin has been uncharacteristically dry. That said, this has played a significant role in my morning beauty routine over the last few weeks, and it's been such a big help when it comes to getting rid of tightness and not having to reapply moisturizer midday." — Danielle Jackson, Senior Beauty Writer
You really can't beat a serum that can be snagged for under $10, especially when the low price tag doesn't mean you're skimping on quality. The Ordinary's hyaluronic acid serum is a cult favorite because it's affordable and effective. It's a super-lightweight formula that absorbs quickly into the skin and hydrates without causing stickiness or pilling. It's also a great addition to your skin prep routine, since it sits well under makeup without separating.
Size: 1 oz.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
What I Love: It's a quality product that's also inexpensive; It absorbs quickly
What I Don't: The bottle is pretty small
Customer Review: "I can't tell you how many bottles of this I've been through. I used it everyday, twice a day, and have never had a problem with it. It hydrates really well and absorbs into the skin fairly quickly, I even use it under makeup and it works great! My only con is I wish they offered a larger size!" — Ulta
K-beauty brands are far ahead of the game when it comes to moisturizing products that give the skin that glassy, ultra-hydrated look, and these toning pads from Biodance are some of my favorites in the category. The toner itself is a soft, jelly-like formula featuring collagen water and hyaluronic acid to make the skin look and feel more bouncy and elastic.
Size: 60 pads / 140 g
Key Ingredients: Collagen; Hyaluronic acid
What I Love: They're really easy to travel with and can last months, depending on how often you use them
What I Don't: The serum contains a minimal scent, which might be off-putting for people with sensitive skin
Customer Review: "These toner pads are so unique and so hydrating. This immediately hydrates, plumps, and soothes my face and helps prep the rest of my skincare. This will also be a minimalist's favorite product as well." — Sephora
Board-certified dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD calls this moisturizer from SkinCeuticals a "heavy hitter for dry skin," and given the 5,000 reviews, it's easy to see why this is a best-seller for the brand. It combines moisturizing vitamin E (which provides barrier support and protection against pollution and environmental damage) with ceramides and fatty acids that give the skin its bounce. The product itself has a texture that's just thick enough to give a major moisture boost to dry, dehydrated skin, but it doesn't feel heavy, greasy, or pasty.
Size: 1.6 oz.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides; Vitamin E
What I Love: It has a rich, creamy texture that hydrates without making the face feel greasy; It specifically addresses age-related dryness
What I Don't: It's really expensive
Customer Review: "This product is just thick enough but not too thick. My skin absorbs it really well and it doesn’t feel heavy on my face. My skin feels well moisturized and this works and mixes really well with sunscreen and foundation." — Dermstore
What you see is what you get with this one-and-done sheet mask from Neutrogena. It delivers a quick, deep hit of moisture to dry, dehydrated skin when it needs it most, thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid. It comes in two halves so you can use it on one area at a time. If you have an extra twenty minutes or so, just pop it on while watching an episode of Housewives, and you'll be good to go.
Size: 1 oz.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
What I Love: It's inexpensive and easy to travel with
What I Don't: Sometimes the serum can leak out of the packaging and cause a mess
Customer Review: "This mask feels so hydrating and comfortable on my skin! I put this on, sit back, and relax. When I take it off, my skin feels soft, smooth, and plump. Highly recommend!" — Ulta
So, here's the thing: this mask has a really thick, balmy texture, but fret not—once you scoop it into your fingers and give it a second to warm up, it melts down into an oil that's meant to sit on top of your skin overnight and prevent dryness and moisture loss. It does so by incorporating hydrating squalane at 10.5 percent and glacial glycoprotein, which is meant to maintain the skin's moisture balance.
Size: 3.4 oz.
Key Ingredients: Squalane; Glacial glycoprotein
What I Love: It can also be used as a cleansing balm because of the oily texture
What I Don't: It has potential to cause breakouts for people with acne-prone skin
Customer Review: "This is the only product that works on my sensitive, dry, acne prone skin without stinging when it feels extra irritated. I've tried multiple "barrier repair" products in the past with no success but this has been absolutely amazing." — Sephora
As a person with a deeper skin tone, I have two non-negotiables when it comes to sunscreen. One: It must blend in easily and disappear on contact, and two: it must actually hydrate my skin. This one from Beauty of Joseon does both of these things better than any chemical formula I've tried in a while. Hyaluronic acid is one of the key ingredients alongside niacinamide and panthenol, and the texture is lightweight and hydrating without feeling oily.
Size: 1.69 oz.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid; Niacinamide; Panthenol
What I Love: It moisturizes and provides sun protection with no white cast
What I Don't: I wish the bottle was larger
Customer Review: "Talk about a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen with absolutely no white cast. I've tried it on deep skin tones and it's absolutely invisible. A great product for a great price." — Sephora
What Causes Dry Skin?
A handful of things, really. Depending on what kind of climate you live in, it's not out of the ordinary to experience dry skin once the weather starts to cool. According to Dr. Shirazi, as temperatures drop, the air cools, which leads to your skin losing water and moisture at a much faster rate. In some cases, your skin may be dry because the skin barrier is compromised (you'll know if this is the case if your skin is also dull, irritated, itchy, or inflamed, and/or if you have rough patches).
Dr. Spearman says some other very common causes of dry skin are genetics, taking too-hot showers, over-exfoliating, cleansing with harsh soaps, and of course, aging. "Your skin naturally produces less oil over time," she says, which can make it harder to retain moisture.
What Ingredients Should I Look for If I Have Dry Skin?
"The best ingredients for someone with dry skin will support the skin’s natural barrier rather than disrupt it," Dr. Shirazi says. Both doctors agree that this means using humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin in products such as cleansers, serums, and moisturizers, as they can "help draw moisture into the skin." They also recommend looking for products that feature emollients like squalane and fatty acids that can soften and smooth the skin.
"Ceramides are also helpful, as they naturally occur in our skin and help repair a compromised skin barrier," Dr. Shirazi adds. And as a general note, Dr. Spearman thinks it's best to avoid any product that features harsh ingredients "like sulfates, strong fragrances, and high concentrations of alcohol," since they can dry out and further irritate the skin.
What Is the Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin?
According to Dr. Spearman, the only thing dry skin needs is consistency and a routine that prioritizes hydration and barrier repair. "I typically recommend starting with a gentle cleanser followed by a hydrating serum if needed, then a rich moisturizer to seal everything in," she says. In the mornings, you should always be finishing off with a sunscreen (even if you don't plan on spending time directly in the sun), and at night, she recommends using heavy moisturizers and occlusives to prevent moisture loss while you sleep.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a board-certified dermatologist. She specializes in cosmetic, surgical, and medical dermatology at La Jolla Laser Derm in La Jolla, CA. She is also the founder and CEO of AziMD Skincare.
Dr. Dara Spearman is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, IN.
