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Dry skin season is here — experts recommend these moisturizers for lasting hydration
Experts say to look for face moisturizers that combine emollients, occlusives and humectants — and recommend their favorites.
How we picked the best face moisturizers for dry skin
We picked moisturizers that had a combination of the following ingredients based on our experts’ guidance:
- Emollients: sealing agents to keep moisture in
- Occlusives: create physical barriers to prevent dehydration
- Humectants: draw water to the skin to help it retain moisture
We also considered multiple formulations, including ointments, creams and lotions, all of which meet different skin needs (more on formulation below). According to our experts, moisturizers should also be free of ethyl alcohol, exfoliators and other drying or irritating ingredients.
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The best face moisturizers for dry skin in 2026
Experts count some of these options as their favorites for dry skin. Our list also includes recommendations from NBC Select staff.
Editor’s pick
Despite having different skin types, both NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin (who has acne-prone skin) and Alvarez (who has dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin) use this as their daily morning moisturizer. “It has a medium thickness, so it’s moisturizing enough to prevent dry, flakey skin, yet thin enough that it absorbs quickly,” says Malin. “It never makes me look oily or shiny, and it never exacerbates irritation when I’m experiencing it.”
“It’s a game changer during my eczema flare-ups because any itchiness or roughness I’m experiencing goes away in a few days,” says Alvarez. “I never want to stop using it because it’s the perfect maintenance tool for keeping my skin moisturized, calm and happy.”
Best for sensitive skin
This thick, fragrance-free moisturizer combines colloidal oatmeal and allantoin, which are great for sensitive, reactive skin (including rosacea- and eczema-prone skin) since they work together to soothe redness and irritation, according to experts we spoke to. It also has shea butter, which moisturizes and protects the skin barrier, according to the brand. You can use the moisturizer on both your face and body, making it a versatile choice. (Keep in mind the brand previously recalled over 2,700 jars of the Ultra Repair Cream in the coconut vanilla scent earlier this year, so we are recommending the fragrance-free option.)
Best rich cream
When her skin is experiencing a few breakouts but is still combatting its typical dry and eczema concerns, Alvarez reaches for this moisturizer. “My skin rarely experiences breakouts, but lately, it’s in that transition of summer heat to cooler early fall, so it’s all over the place. This cream is my saving grace,” she says. “It’s very rich and thick, but it won’t clog my pores, so my breakout isn’t worsening, and it’s alleviating those dry, somewhat rough patches I have overnight.”
Best overall
Not only is this moisturizer an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner and one of our top 10 moisturizers out of 100, but it’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association, which means it’s suitable for sensitive skin. Former NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez loves how effective this cream is at healing eczema on both her face and body. “Although it’s a cream, it’s very easy to spread, and a little goes a long way, so one tub will last you a long time,” she says.
Best budget-friendly
Goldman and Jean Dachnowicz, a licensed aesthetician at New York City’s Goldman Dermatology, call Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream the best overall moisturizer for dry skin, and it took the number one spot on our 100 moisturizer list. “It feels thick and rich as it comes out of the jar, with an aroma barely registering on my nose. Everyone on our staff who tried this found it simple, reliable and nourishing, regardless of their skin type,” says NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz.
Best daily moisturizer
Dr. Barry Goldman, a dermatologist at New York City’s Goldman Dermatology and a clinical instructor at Cornell NY Presbyterian Hospital, recommends Vanicream for dry skin, and it’s also an NBC Select staff favorite, ranking number 11 on our top 100 list. “This is one of the very few products that I will always buy again when it runs out — my skin practically craves it when it’s gone,” says NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. The facial moisturizer is made with a blend of emollients and humectants, and it doesn’t have common irritants like dyes and fragrances, according to the brand.
Best ointment
Petroleum jelly is the occlusive moisturizer behind the popular skin care trend “slugging” — people put the product on their face after their skin care routine to lock in moisture. The American Academy of Dermatology says that petroleum jelly products have several skin care benefits, including helping dry skin; however, both Goldman and Dachnowicz warn it may clog pores on some skin types.
Best for flaky skin
Aquaphor is an occlusive moisturizer that can be helpful for skin that tends to be flaky, cracked or scaly, according to Goldman and Dachnowicz. The fragrance-free ointment, which you can use as a lip mask and hand cream in addition to a face moisturizer, includes several occlusive ingredients, like mineral oil and glycerin. Compared to lotions or creams, Aquaphor works best to create a barrier that keeps moisture in; however, Goldman and Dachnowicz warn that Aquaphor may be too heavy for some skin types and can clog pores.
Best for very dry skin
This moisturizer is made with colloidal oatmeal, which targets extreme dryness and eczema, according to the brand. It’s one of NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris‘ go-to winter moisturizers — she says it keeps her skin feeling hydrated and plump without any excess greasiness, and soothes dry patches right away.
Best balm
This balm from First Aid Beauty boosts your moisture barrier using 1% dimethicone, which is a skin protectant that creates a layer which helps to relieve irritated skin, according to the brand. Colloidal oatmeal gives the formula soothing properties that’s great for addressing redness and dry patch flare-ups. The formula also includes glycerin, which is a humectant that helps retain water and keep skin hydrated.
Best gel cream
Most of our experts recommend Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line for people with dry skin. Plus, it’s an NBC Select staff favorite: “When my skin is raw — like red, inflamed, flaky and uneven in texture — this is the only moisturizer I can tolerate,” says Malin. “I first started using it when I began treating acne with Tretinoin, which severely dried out my skin for the first few months. It was the only moisturizer I found that didn’t sting or burn when I applied it, and I used it multiple times a day. I always keep some with me wherever I go just in case my dry skin starts flaring up.”
Best for damaged skin barrier
An NBC Select Wellness Awards winner for dry skin, this moisturizer has colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucan, which work together to soothe redness and repair the skin’s moisture barrier. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves this thick moisturizer for the wintertime when her rosacea-prone skin is driest. “It’s super thick, and most of my dry patches disappear overnight when I use it,” she says. It is also lightweight and gentle on sensitive skin, according to the brand.
Best two-in-one
Though it took her some time to warm up to, NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves the milky liquid texture of this option, which merges the hydration benefits of a cream with the lightweight feel of a toner. “It almost feels like water yet it has some weight to it that makes it look like a serum,” she says. Still, potential shoppers should be wary of how much they apply — “A little goes a long way, so you risk looking greasy when you go overboard,” says Brown.
Best multitasking cream
This moisturizer is a favorite of Alvarez and NBC Select page Emma Satin because it’s thick and creamy without being greasy, heavy or sticky. “It is my go-to for New York winters when my skin needs a moisture boost, but I truly use it year-round, especially when I’m doing my makeup for a special occasion and want my skin to glow,” says Satin. “It is a bit pricier in the States but is worth every penny if you struggle with dry skin.”
Best for face and body
This fragrance-free moisturizer, another NBC Select Wellness Awards winner, has niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. It’s also occlusive, so it creates a barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss and improve its ability to heal, experts say. Malin finds this to be very similar to Neutrogena’s moisturizer, which is why she loves it. “I find it even more cooling, and it has aloe in it, which is super soothing when my skin is red and inflamed,” she says. “It absorbs into my skin quickly and is so lightweight I forget I’m wearing it. You can also use it as a body cream, so I’ve applied it to dry patches on my neck, chest, arms and legs as needed.”
Best splurge
When it comes to moisturized skin, Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream is the first product that comes to mind for Brown. “The texture is so rich, but it doesn’t sit on top of the skin and I just love how glowy I look and feel after applying it,” she says. The cream has a slew of hydrating ingredients, including aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and camellia oil, and is also available in a lighter, gel-cream version, which has soothing niacinamide.
Most lightweight
For people who want a quick-absorbing moisturizer, Dr. Annie Chiu, a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in California in Redondo Beach, recommends this one from Biossance. It has ingredients like squalane oil and probiotics to help hydrate your skin, reduce redness and shrink pores, according to the brand. “I love using this in the summer months or when I’m about to be really active because it gives me the same amount as a thick, creamy moisturizer without being heavy or potentially clogging my pores,” says Alvarez. “I usually try not to spend too much money on a moisturizer, but this is worth it and I will buy a new one every time I run out.”
Best long-lasting
Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream couples antioxidant ingredients with deep moisture in an elegant, non-greasy formula, says Chiu. The cream has a blend of Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid, which work together to restore water levels to the skin and replenish ceramides, according to the brand. Other nourishing ingredients in the moisturizer include glycerin and dimethicone.
Best overnight treatment
“I’m obsessed with Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask because when I apply it, it truly feels like my skin is drinking a giant cup of water,” says Malin. “I lather it all over my skin before I go to bed once or twice a week on nights when I’m not using my acne medication — it gives me that glazed donut look I aim for when I really need to hydrate my skin.” Plus, you only need to use a little at a time since it has a rich consistency that spreads easily, says Malin. Since it does leave your skin looking very dewy and glowy, Malin recommends using it only at night.
Best for fine lines
If you have a little bit more in your budget to spend, Chiu recommends Skinbetter’s Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment to repair dry skin. “[It] has urea and provides deep moisture without the heaviness,” she says. It has hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and ceramides and squalane to lock in moisture, according to the brand.
Most gentle
If you have highly sensitive skin or have multiple allergies, including gluten and nuts, consider this lightweight allergy-tested moisturizer. “It’s so incredibly gentle on my skin, and instead of worsening my ongoing symptoms, it helps soothe, heal and repair them,” says Alvarez. “Seriously, all it takes is two pumps, and my skin automatically feels 10 times better and more moisturized.”
Best face mask
When your skin is super dry, consider using a moisture mask, like this one from Eve Lom, a few times a week to help calm dry, flaky and irritated skin, says Chiu. During sleep, our skin loses more moisture because our body temperature slowly increases throughout the night, says Chiu. This mask has several moisturizing ingredients, including the humectant hyaluronic acid. “It also has an occlusive effect that still manages to feel light and soothing,” says Chiu.
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How to shop for moisturizers for dry skin
When shopping for a moisturizer for dry skin, our experts recommend considering factors like ingredients and formulation.
Ingredients
To keep the skin properly hydrated while locking in moisture, humectants, emollients and occlusives all work together. Our experts break down these three types of ingredients below:
- Humectants draw water to the skin’s surface and help it retain moisture by breaking down dead skin cells, according to Chiu. Hyaluronic acid is arguably the most common (and important) humectant: It works by absorbing moisture like a sponge from the air and draws it into the skin, says Goldman and Dachnowicz. Other common humectants found in moisturizers include urea, glycerol, sorbitol, glycerin, aloe vera gel and lactic acid.
- Emollients help soften the skin and lock in moisture. They are beneficial to dry skin when natural lipids have been depleted, says Chiu. (Natural lipids are fatty acids that trap in moisture and soothe and moisturize the skin, experts previously told us in our guide to SPF lip balms.) Common emollients include shea butter, isopropyl palmitate and colloidal oatmeal.
- Occlusives create a physical barrier over the epidermis that prevents water loss and shields the skin from potential irritants. They are a good option for those with dry skin since they aid in moisture retention and skin barrier restoration, says Chiu. However, if you have acne-prone skin, occlusive ointments might clog your pores, according to Goldman and Dachnowicz. Common occlusives include waxes like beeswax and silicone, and oils like olive oil, lanolin, mineral oil and dimethicone.
Formulation
Moisturizers formulated for dry skin typically have a heavier, thicker texture to create a barrier on the skin, experts say. The type of formulation you choose depends on your skin’s needs:
- Ointments are the thickest and most moisturizing formula and usually have the least amount of irritating ingredients, says Young. However, the downside to ointments is that they can typically be on the greasier side, which many try to avoid during the day, she says.
- Balms are slightly less thick than an ointment, but you can still noticeably feel them on your skin, says Young.
- Creams are a great consistency for those with dry skin because they tend to be thick, but they don’t feel as greasy or heavy as ointments and balms. They are also a good option for those who can’t tolerate thick ointments, says Young.
- Lotions are less thick and can be slightly less moisturizing, says Young. Some people might need a cream in the drier wintertime but can switch to a lighter lotion during the summer, she says.
- Gel creams can strike a balance between moisturizing well and feeling less greasy on the skin. However, gel creams might not be moisturizing enough for those with very dry skin, says Young.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Annie Chiu is a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in California in Redondo Beach.
- Dr. Alexis Young is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
- Dr. Barry Goldman is a dermatologist at New York City’s Goldman Dermatology and a clinical instructor at Cornell NY Presbyterian Hospital.
- Jean Dachnowicz is a licensed aesthetician at New York City’s Goldman Dermatology.
- Dr. Serena Mraz is a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology in Vallejo, California, specializing in general and cosmetic dermatology while also practicing as a research clinician.
Why trust NBC Select?
Christina Colizza is a former editor for NBC Select.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more.
For this story, Colizza and Morris spoke to board-certified dermatologists and aestheticians about the best moisturizers for dry skin, including product recommendations and shopping guidance.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
