Heavy may receive a commission if you purchase a product through a link on this page.

15 Best Skin Care Products for Dry Skin

skin care for dry skin

123RF

We’re well into the winter season, and with that comes dry skin – for some much more than others. Whether you suffer from sensitive skin or deal with particularly dry or wrinkled, mature skin or you simply notice a slight change in the colder months, your winter grooming routine should include skin care for dry skin. And if you’re wondering where to start, you’re not alone – we’ve got you covered right here.

Drunk Elephant Full Sized Clean Break Facial Duo Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Moisturizer is light, non-greasy & effective
  • Skin looks & feels more even & healthy
  • Cleansing bar is very soothing
Price: $92.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Graydon Moon Boost Serum
  • Leaves skin nourished, soft, hydrated, plumped & glowing
  • Non-greasy, so works in the daytime
  • Lovely scent
Price: $42.00 Shop now at Graydon Skincare Shop now Read our review
Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Dry Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Provides great moisture and hydration
  • Balancing and long-lasting
  • Nice light, clean formula and scent
Price: $62.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Duo - Serum & Face Cream Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Delivers intense, long-lasting moisture
  • Skin looks younger, smoother & brighter
  • Balances and evens out skin tone
Price: $87.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Hydration Set Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Really delivers on extra moisture
  • All products are non-greasy and lightweight
  • Lasts all day
Price: $43.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Rich & absorbent, yet not greasy
  • Helps with eczema flareups
  • Nice, light (almost no) scent
Price: $48.50 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Very light & smooth yet moisturizing
  • Helps relieve eczema & rosacea
  • Gentle, fragrance-free, ideal for sensitive skin
Price: $18.99 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Protects skin and replenishes moisture
  • Helps with eczema and other sensitive skin issues
  • Thick and rich, yet non-greasy
Price: $70.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
florence by mills Surfing Under The Eyes Hydrating Treatment Gel Pads
  • Effectively reduces puffiness
  • Makes skin brighter and tighter
  • Feels refreshing
Price: $20.00 Shop now at Ulta Beauty Shop now Read our review
BANILA CO Miss Flower & Mr Honey Cream Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Very balancing and moisturizing
  • Applies beautifully and smoothly
  • Nice, subtle scent
Price: $68.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Necessaire The Body Lotion Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Gives long-lasting moisture
  • Goes on smooth and not too thick
  • Non-irritating and ideal for sensitive skin
Price: $28.50 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
florence by mills Plump To It! Hydrating Facial Moisturizer
  • Great moisture without clogging pores
  • Skin feels smooth, soft & refreshed
  • Nice, fresh scent
Price: $17.00 Shop now at Ulta Beauty Shop now Read our review
Lanolips Lip Water Collection Trio Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Leaves lips soft and hydrated
  • Applies very smoothly
  • Nice variety of tints/looks
Price: $39.95 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
ELEMIS Superfood Day Cream Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Lightweight yet nourishes & hydrates well
  • Smells nice & absorbs easily
  • Won't leave skin oily or greasy
Price: $59.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream Amazon Customer Reviews
  • Leaves skin soft, supple, firm, and glowing
  • Feels rich but not heavy
  • Applies smoothly and evenly
Price: $70.00 Shop at Amazon Shop now Read our review
Our Unbiased Reviews
  1. 1. Drunk Elephant Full Sized Clean Break Facial Duo

    Pros:
    • Moisturizer is light, non-greasy & effective
    • Skin looks & feels more even & healthy
    • Cleansing bar is very soothing
    Cons:
    • Cream is too heavy for some
    • Pricey (but good value for two products)
    • Some found cleansing bar drying (many didn't)

    This awesome full-sized product duo from beloved Drunk Elephant features the brand’s Pekee Cleansing Bar and Lala Retro Whipped Cream Moisturizer. Both are free of silicones, highly absorbing, and chock-full of antioxidants that help cleanse, brighten, and moisturize the skin, resulting in a soft, supple, and balanced complexion.

    The gentle Pekee Bar is infused with marula oil, honey, and blueberry extract that clarifies, moisturizes, tones, and balances out the skin. You’ll also get the hydrating Lala Retro Moisturizer, which gives off intense moisture and forms a protective barrier against environmental stressors. It brightens, rehabilitates, and protects your skin.

  2. 2. Graydon Moon Boost Serum

    Pros:
    • Leaves skin nourished, soft, hydrated, plumped & glowing
    • Non-greasy, so works in the daytime
    • Lovely scent
    Cons:
    • Thick consistency
    • Doesn't brighten much
    • Shorter shelf life (vitamin C can oxidize fast from light in clear bottle)

    Another quality pick from one of my fave brands, Graydon’s non-comedogenic, dermatologist and clinically-tested, hydrating Moon Boost Serum is jam-packed with nutrients, superfood extracts and oils, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F and K. These ingredients were thoughtfully included since they boost the skin’s natural barrier and leave it healthy, nourished, and beautifully smooth, soft, and glowing. Plus, they help you achieve firmer, balanced, younger-looking skin.

    Bonus: this cruelty-free, vegan serum is great for sensitive skin since it’s non-irritating and hypoallergenic. And, I absolutely love how Graydon’s products feel on my skin – you can tell they’re made with care and quality. 

  3. 3. Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Dry

    Pros:
    • Provides great moisture and hydration
    • Balancing and long-lasting
    • Nice light, clean formula and scent
    Cons:
    • Heavier, filmy consistency
    • Can clump if not applied correctly
    • May not be ideal for sensitive skin

    If you suffer from very dry skin that only gets worse in the winter months, you should give Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Dry nighttime moisturizer a try. It contains a 10% hydroxy acid blend that helps to refine, gently exfoliate dead skin cells, and hydrate the skin, leaving it looking beautiful the next morning. Plus, it reduces the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and other aging signs to restore and balance skin to the beautiful, glowing complexion you may be missing.

    To use, apply a fair amount to face and neck after cleansing and toning the skin, as well as after any retinol application. Be sure to avoid the eye area.

  4. 4. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Duo – Serum & Face Cream

    Pros:
    • Delivers intense, long-lasting moisture
    • Skin looks younger, smoother & brighter
    • Balances and evens out skin tone
    Cons:
    • Smaller quantity than it may seem
    • Some didn't see super results from serum
    • May not be ideal for sensitive skin

    If you’re suffering from dry skin, you’ll love this hydrating serum and moisturizer duo from Glow Recipe. The serum contains five types of hyaluronic acids in different molecular weights (ultra-low, low, medium, high, and ultra-high) that deliver intense hydration and plump, balanced, gorgeous skin without the look of fine lines. And the moisturizer is packed with three antioxidant-rich plums (Kakadu, Illawarra, and Burdekin) that give even more hydration, nourishment, and glow.

    Both vegan products rejuvenate, absorb quickly, and leave no residue behind, plus they’re made cruelty-free and without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, drying alcohols, and synthetic dyes.

  5. 5. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Hydration Set

    Pros:
    • Really delivers on extra moisture
    • All products are non-greasy and lightweight
    • Lasts all day
    Cons:
    • Trial sizes are small (but good value)
    • Some waited a while for shipment
    • Felt tacky for some users

    The Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Hydration Set from Laneige comes with a full-sized cream moisturizer that hydrates, nourishes, and puts the moisture back into your skin that’s been missing. You’ll also get three mini-sized goodies – a revitalizing toner, serum and eye cream, which will also nourish, hydrate, moisturize, and leave you beautifully glowing.

    What’s so unique about these products is the proprietary Blue hyaluronic acid that delivers more, longer-lasting hydration and absorbs better and quicker than its regular counterpart. This is all thanks to double fermentation with Fucoidan, a moisturizing agent derived from deep-sea algae, and the 10-step microfiltration refining process it goes through.

  6. 6. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

    Pros:
    • Rich & absorbent, yet not greasy
    • Helps with eczema flareups
    • Nice, light (almost no) scent
    Cons:
    • May be more ideal for hands than face
    • Pricey (but it works & lasts)
    • May be too heavy for warmer months

    I love that this velvety-rich, non-greasy moisturizer from First Aid Beauty can literally be used anywhere your skin feels dry and moisture-depleted – face, body, or hands. Honestly, it’s become my go-to hand cream this season. Dermatologist-tested, it absorbs quickly and, though rich and nourishing, it somehow also magically feels light and whipped.

    Even better, it’s not irritating and relieves redness and eczema in sensitive skin. The hydrating, vegan formula has just the slightest, most pleasant scent and is made cruelty-free without alcohol, artificial fragrance and color, lanolin, talc, mineral oil, parabens, and phthalates.

  7. 7. Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream

    Pros:
    • Very light & smooth yet moisturizing
    • Helps relieve eczema & rosacea
    • Gentle, fragrance-free, ideal for sensitive skin
    Cons:
    • Jar packaging makes product last less than others
    • Some didn't notice much change
    • Can cause breakouts (don't need much)

    This quick-absorbing, non-comedogenic gel cream from Hada Labo Tokyo plumps, hydrates, and moisturizes skin nicely with the brand’s exclusive Super Hyaluronic Acid formula that combines three different types. This helps to naturally restore and strengthen the skin’s levels of hydration. Free from parabens, fragrance, mineral oil, and dyes, the lightweight formula also contains collagen to help maintain and improve the skin’s structure, texture, and appearance – leaving you with younger-looking skin and a smooth and silky finish that’s never greasy.

    You really do get the best of both worlds through this product’s serum power combined with intense moisturizing hydration that primes your skin for gorgeous makeup application.

  8. 8. Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream

    Pros:
    • Protects skin and replenishes moisture
    • Helps with eczema and other sensitive skin issues
    • Thick, rich, and absorbs fast
    Cons:
    • Tube can be tough to squeeze product from
    • Some didn't see less irritation
    • May be a bit greasy

    Eau Thermale’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream is soothing and ideal for very dry, sensitive skin, including eczema and atopic dermatitis. It contains I-modulia, a post-biotic active ingredient from thermal spring water, which relieves inflammation and itchiness, along with cer-omega (skin-like lipids) and thermal spring water for skin barrier restoration and hydration that lasts all day.

    Ideal for both adults and children, use it on the face or body for calmer, softer, more soothed skin all winter long.

  9. 9. florence by mills Surfing Under The Eyes Hydrating Treatment Gel Pads

    Pros:
    • Effectively reduces puffiness
    • Makes skin brighter and tighter
    • Feels refreshing
    Cons:
    • Excess plastic (but small package)
    • A bit tough to use/handle
    • May irritate slightly if gets in the eye

    These vegan, cruelty-free hydrating under-eye treatment pads from florence by mills don’t skimp on the hydrating moisture your dry or aging skin needs. Personally, I loved how tight and refreshed my under-eye skin looked and felt after just 10 minutes of using the pads. Plus, though a bit of an adjustment to use at first, they stayed on super well the entire time.

    Here’s how they work:

    • Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid with low molecular weight penetrates deeply into the skin’s surface layers to help hydrate and visibly plump the skin.
    • A sustainably-sourced adaptogen and survivalist plant combination revives and renews the skin’s natural function and moisture barrier, which boosts hydration and brings balance to stressed skin.
    • Blended fruit extracts (apple, grape, papaya, and plum) help the hyaluronic acid work harder for even more hydration.

    Use 2-3 times weekly by placing a wave under each eye (using the scoop to separate if needed). Leave on for 10-15 minutes before removing.

  10. 10. BANILA CO Miss Flower & Mr Honey Cream

    Pros:
    • Very balancing and moisturizing
    • Applies beautifully and smoothly
    • Nice, subtle scent
    Cons:
    • Doesn't absorb quickly
    • Feels too heavy for some
    • On the pricey side

    Korean cosmetics brand BANILA CO’s velvety smooth Miss Flower & Mr Honey Cream is an intense moisturizer for both the face and body. It contains six honey extracts (beeswax, honey, honey butter, honey high drop, royal jelly, and, propolis) and yellow flower complex that delivers nourishment, hydration, moisture, and vitality to your skin to make it softer, smoother, more supple, and resilient. It also helps to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier and reduce stress.

    This product is pretty versatile, too, as you can use it as a base for makeup or as a night cream. However you choose, you’ll enjoy a healthier, more radiant complexion.

  11. 11. Necessaire The Body Lotion

    Pros:
    • Gives long-lasting moisture
    • Goes on smooth and not too thick
    • Non-irritating and ideal for sensitive skin
    Cons:
    • Pricey, but a little goes a long way
    • Doesn't absorb as quickly as others
    • Some found it too heavy

    If you want a simple, effective, beautifully-feeling body lotion, check out this fragrance-free option from Necessaire. Ideal for sensitive skin, it absorbs quickly and contains a multi-vitamin moisturizer (with vitamins A, B3, C, and E, omega-6, omega-9, and antioxidants) along with luxurious oils (cacay, marula, and meadowfoam) that your skin will soak up over these chilly winter months. Plus, niacinamide will help to restore and rejuvenate your skin’s surface, leaving you with a nice, healthy glow. You’ll love your skin’s softer, more supple feel and that over time its texture, firmness, and tone will be noticeably improved.

  12. 12. florence by mills Plump To It! Hydrating Facial Moisturizer

    Pros:
    • Great moisture without clogging pores
    • Skin feels smooth, soft & refreshed
    • Nice, fresh scent
    Cons:
    • Not too long-lasting
    • May not suit flaky or severly dry skin
    • Can leave oiliness in some areas

    florence by mills’ Plump To It! Hydrating Facial Moisturizer gives your skin the boost of hydration it needs. Made with a low molecular weight hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid that penetrates deeply, plus a combination of fruit and sustainably sourced plant extracts (apple, grape, plum, and papaya, along with survivalist and adaptogen plants), the incredibly lightweight formula helps to hydrate, plump, moisturize, de-stress, and strengthen skin, balancing and boosting its natural barrier function.

    What’s even better is you needn’t worry about any junk ingredients in this dermatologist-approved moisturizer, as it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and made without silicones or SLS. To use, apply twice daily to clean, damp skin. Follow with your regular skincare routine.

  13. 13. Lanolips Lip Water Collection Trio

    Pros:
    • Leaves lips soft and hydrated
    • Applies very smoothly
    • Nice variety of tints/looks
    Cons:
    • Gloss not long-lasting (but lips stay soft)
    • Flavors might not be to everyone's taste
    • Consistency is on the thick side

    The shimmery, hydrating, smooth-as-silk Lanolips Lip Water Collection Trio comes with Original Lanolin Lip Water, Lip Water Watermelon + Lip Water Liquid Gold. Each gloss contains lanolin, a sustainable, renewable, and natural byproduct of wool washing. All glosses are cruelty-free, non-sticky, and free of parabens, petrolatuml mineral oil, sulfates, or artificial fragrance.

    I love how smooth the clear Lip Water is – almost like a serum – and how it leaves a fresh tingle of mint on my lips. It applies super smoothly with the flexible bristles and leaves my lips pretty soft for a while afterward.

  14. 14. ELEMIS Superfood Day Cream

    Pros:
    • Lightweight yet nourishes & hydrates well
    • Smells nice & absorbs easily
    • Won't leave skin oily or greasy
    Cons:
    • Some found it too heavy
    • Not rich enough for some
    • Results may be similar to less expensive lotions

    If you’re battling dry skin this winter, give this lightweight, prebiotic day cream from ELEMIS a try. It’s super rich in potent vitamins, matcha tea, ginger, and superfoods, like goji berry and broccoli extract. These omega-rich ingredients help to balance, hydrate, deeply moisturize, protect, and replenish the skin, leaving it radiantly glowing, healthy, and fresh.

    Use each morning by massaging a pea-sized amount into the face and neck. Smooth out in upward strokes. Can also be used at night.

  15. 15. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream

    Pros:
    • Leaves skin soft, supple, firm, and glowing
    • Feels rich but not heavy
    • Applies smoothly and evenly
    Cons:
    • Pricey for the amount
    • Scent not for everyone
    • Doesn't absorb as fast as other creams

    Created with inspo from Charlotte’s best-selling, award-winning Magic Cream, this Magic Body Cream hydrates, smoothes, firms, moisturizes, nourishes, and revives your skin. This is all thanks to ingredients that improve skin’s look and feel, such as caffeine, which energizes, tightens, and brightens, Algaktiv Uplift, which lifts and firms, and the brand’s Magic 8 matrix, which nourishes, hydrates, and leaves skin beautifully glowing.

    To apply, with the palm of your hand, massage in upward sweeping motions. Focus on the thighs and stomach, then toward the heart to help boost circulation.

How Can My Skin Look And Feel Better This Winter?

To improve and heal your skin during the winter, be sure to moisturize immediately after cleansing your face or washing your hands, layer products to get extra benefits, wear overnight treatments or masks, opt for creams rather than lotions, and avoid or reduce your use of exfoliators and scrubs.

What Is The Best Skin Care For Dry Skin?

Because winter is quite dry and harsh, our skin needs extra hydration and moisture. That means beauty products including cleansers, toners, serums, oils, lotions, moisturizers, masks, and even your Christmas makeup, should come with a boost of nourishment, hydration, and moisture.

What Are The Best Skin Care Products For Dry Skin?

Quality ingredients that agree with you are the main thing to look for in any skin care product for dry skin. Try heavier, rich moisturizers, hydrating serums, and overnight masks, especially during the winter months. Brands like Skinceuticals, Drunk Elephant, First Aid Beauty, and Graydon Skincare work well for many people.

Read More