I never gave much thought to my skin type until premature menopause, followed by turning 40, brought on persistent dryness and a search for products to tackle it. More than two years and over 40 moisturisers later, I’ve found the ones that truly work for dry skin, and my skin now looks plumper, smoother and more radiant than before.
Dry skin can have several causes, but at its core, it comes down to a weakened skin barrier. Aesthetic doctor Dr Ahmed El Muntasar explains that this failure is caused by environmental and medical issues. External factors could be “the weather, low humidity, using the wrong products or very harsh products on the skin, and over-stripping or exfoliating the skin”. But it can also be caused by “medical conditions – things like psoriasis and thyroid problems, eczema, and simply just ageing.”
Whatever your skincare routine looks like, using the right moisturiser for your skin type is essential. The best moisturiser for dry skin will both hydrate and lock in moisture, helping to prevent it from escaping.
As a beauty writer, I’m constantly testing new products, so I know what sets a great moisturiser apart from one that falls short; below are the formulas that genuinely impressed me after weeks of testing on my dry skin.
The best moisturisers for dry skin in 2026 are:
- Best overall – Byoma barrier+ repair treatment: £16.99, Boots.com
- Best budget option – CeraVe moisturising cream tube with ceramides for dry to very dry skin: £7, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for mature skin – Dr David Jack skin cushion pro-lipid recovery cream: £139, Drdavidjack.com
- Best for extremely dry skin – La Roche Posay cicaplast baume B5+ repairing soothing balm: £15.60, Boots.com
Read more: I‘m a beauty writer, these are the products under £15 that are actually worth trying
How I tested
I tested each moisturiser over a number of weeks, taking into consideration qualities like ingredients, consistency, and the appearance and feel of my skin. You can read my full testing criteria at the end of this guide.
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Byoma barrier+ repair treatment
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Best: moisturiser for dry skin overall
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Very affordable
- Designed to support skin barrier function
- Sits well under make-up
Take note
- Takes a couple of weeks to see full results
This moisturiser has long been a favourite. Not only does it relieve dry skin and support the skin barrier to prevent further dryness, it’s also very affordable, and sits well underneath make-up. It contains the mighty trifecta of humectants (to draw in moisture), emollients (to soften, soothe and protect), and occlusives (to seal in moisture).
Specifically formulated for those with a compromised skin barrier, it contains barrier lipids (ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids) to strengthen the barrier and help prevent moisture loss. It’s also a great choice for those with sensitive skin, as it’s packed with soothing ingredients like ectoin and allantoin, and is fragrance-free. You really can’t go wrong with this one, and I found that it suited my skin no matter how dry it was – in fact, it worked so well that I eventually stopped needing it.
Buy now £16.99, Boots.com
CeraVe moisturising cream tube with ceramides for dry to very dry skin
Best: budget moisturiser for dry skin
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Doubles up as a body moisturiser
- Fragrance-free for sensitive skin
Take note
- It feels basic, but it does the job well
If you are on a tight budget, this is a great option. Not only is it less than half the price of all the other moisturisers I tried, but it can be used on your body, too. It’s packed with skin barrier-loving ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, and it leaves my skin feeling soothed, softened and hydrated.
It’s also formulated to slowly release moisturising ingredients for 24-hour hydration, and that claim held up on test. If I applied the moisturiser in the morning, my skin still felt soft and supple in the early hours of the following morning. On top of this, it’s great at helping your make-up look fresher for longer.
Buy now £7, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Curel intensive facial moisture cream
Best: plumping moisturiser for dry skin
Size: 40g
Why we love it
- So lightweight, yet effective
- Plumps out fine lines brilliantly
Take note
- May not solve severe dryness
What I discovered I liked most about this moisturiser was just how well it instantly plumped out my under-eye fine lines with hydration, which was an unexpected bonus. It’s extremely hydrating with glycerin and contains barrier-fortifying ceramides, as well as soothing and antioxidant-rich eucalyptus extract.
It’s rich, but not heavy, and as a result, it feels lighter and more breathable than some of the other moisturisers I tried. If you prefer a lighter texture and something that doesn’t leave a layer on the skin, this one absorbs well and quickly. However, as a result, it’s less suitable for those with severe dryness who need a protective seal over the skin.
Buy now £22.5, Lookfantastic.com
Then I Met You renewing rich beauty cream
Best: luxury moisturiser for dry skin
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Feels much more expensive than it is
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Take note
- Pricey
There’s something luxurious about this moisturiser. I love the calming aromatherapy scent and the fact that its formulation is so buttery and silky smooth. It literally melts into the skin. If you like a more sensorial skincare experience than some of the more basic creams on this list can offer, this would be an effective and luxurious formula to choose.
Squalane deeply hydrates, and ceramides and baobab help support the skin barrier and act as an occlusive layer. Its exclusive blend of ginseng helps boost skin firmness and elasticity, as well as offering antioxidant protection. It leaves my skin feeling thoroughly moisturised, with a healthy sheen. Plus, the brand claims the formula is able to make skin feel firmer after just three days of use, and I certainly found this to be true. The only drawbacks are that some people with sensitive skin might find the aroma a little irritating, and it’s pretty pricey.
Buy now £57, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Glow Recipe cloudberry bright cream moisturiser
Best: brightening moisturiser for dry skin
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Great at tackling uneven skin tone
- Whipped buttery texture is great under make-up
Take note
- Vitamin C may irritate extremely sensitive skin
If you want your moisturiser to do more than just combat dry skin, this could be the one for you. The addition of vitamin C from cloudberry seed oil means that this is great for tackling an uneven skin tone.
The brand touts the formula's ability to brighten and make skin more radiant, and I can confirm that it really works. It’s one of the reasons I often reach for this moisturiser over others, as you can see the brightening results within a week. It also contains a powerful antioxidant and a unique peptide-lipid blend that supports the skin barrier and prevents moisture loss. My skin feels so much more supple and comfortable whenever I apply this.
Buy now £35, Sephora.co.uk
Ole Henriksen après skin multi-use rich rescue crème
Best: overnight treatment for dry skin
Size: 75ml
Why we love it
- Multi-use so can also be used on lips, cuticles and dry patches on the body
- Contains ceramides and fatty acids to fortify the skin barrier
Take note
- Contains fragrance, so may irritate very sensitive skin
- Not great for keeping makeup in place
This rich, buttery cream can act both as a daily moisturiser and as an intensive overnight treatment, depending on your skin’s level of dryness. I love it as a daily moisturiser during the winter, and then as an overnight treatment the rest of the year to seal in my hydrating serums. It contains hydrating hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids, as well as protective antioxidants and moisture-binding electrolytes.
Its rich blend of plant butters deeply moisturises and softens, and acts as a protective layer on the skin against external factors and moisture loss. My skin usually gets drier in winter, but I found that when I used this, it was a great shield against the elements.
Buy now £38, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Dr David Jack skin cushion pro-lipid recovery cream
Best: moisturiser for mature dry skin
Size: 30ml
Why we love it
- Scientifically advanced formula
- Great skin barrier support
Take note
- Most expensive moisturiser I've tried
When it comes to dry, ageing skin, you need a moisturiser that will tackle both issues. Not only is this formula deeply hydrating and moisturising for dry skin, but I found that it fortifies the skin barrier, promotes collagen synthesis and supports skin elasticity to reduce signs of ageing. Created by aesthetic doctor Dr David Jack, this cream was designed to be a 360-degree support system for healthy skin.
It is undoubtedly expensive – the most expensive I’ve tested – but it solves a lot of issues, so it could replace other products in your routine. It reduces inflammation and redness, and offers antioxidant protection against environmental damage. I found that it immediately softened and soothed my dry skin, but over time, I noticed a real improvement in my skin firmness and bounce, too.
Buy now £139, Drdavidjack.com
La Roche Posay cicaplast baume B5+ repairing soothing balm
Best: moisturiser for extremely dry skin
Size: 100ml
Why we love it
- Relieves the driest of skin
- Suitable for the whole family, including babies and those undergoing cancer treatment
Take note
- Unless your skin is extremely dry, you’ll find it overpowering
This is a heavy-duty, thick moisturising treatment for extreme dryness and irritation. It acts as a barrier cream, giving skin an invisible layer of protection to optimise healing and recovery. It contains a prebiotic blend designed to protect and rebalance the skin’s microbiome, which is disrupted in dry and irritated skin.
The formula also contains soothing panthenol and madecassoside (which also promotes skin healing), as well as antibacterial zinc and manganese. Bear in mind this is a skin rescue treatment, rather than a 365-day moisturising cream, so I recommend it for those who suffer from bouts of extreme irritation and dryness – it’s a great one to have in your arsenal when your skin needs some extra care and attention.
Buy now £15.6, Boots.com
Figgi Beauty nourish the goddess evening rescue cream
Best: dry skin moisturisier for sensitive skin
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Designed for sensitive skin
- Full of soothing ingredients
- Packed with protective antioxidants
Take note
- Expensive
With dry skin often comes red and irritated skin, and this was such an effective cream for both. Though formulated as a night cream for sensitive skin, this also works really well as a day cream for dry skin. It has a rich, buttery texture that is instantly soothing and moisturising.
Star ingredient rooibos tea is packed with antioxidants, and I found it’s a great soother for stressed, irritated skin. There’s also panthenol, which is a great hydrator that also accelerates wound healing and reduces inflammation.
Meanwhile, hydrating glycerin and squalane, and deeply moisturising shea butter and jojoba oil will help to keep your dry skin soft and supple all day and night long.
Buy now £45, Figgibeautyuk.com
Bobbi Brown vitamin enriched face base
Best: dry skin moisturiser for make-up
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Doubles up as a make-up primer
- Gives next level glow
Take note
- Contains fragrance, so not the best for sensitive skin
- Not as great skin barrier support as the other options
If you plan to wear make-up on top of your moisturiser, this one doubles up as a perfect primer. Not only does it deeply moisturise and condition with shea butter and vitamin E, it also brightens with vitamin C, and gives your make-up a smooth and dewy finish. It’s one of my ‘glass skin’ secrets, and I often wear this on makeup-free days too, as it gives an unrivalled healthy sheen to the skin.
It’s not as scientifically advanced as some of the other options that I tried, and the skin barrier support isn’t as good, but sometimes the results speak for themselves – this will transform even the driest and dullest of complexions. If you are after dewy, luminous skin, nothing rivals this finish. I know I can apply this on its own, and make my skin look instantly hydrated, soft and healthy.
The only issues? It’s relatively expensive, and the aroma might not work for very sensitive skin. It’s a great choice if you often wear make-up, but if you just want something to help with dry skin, the options above might be a more effective solution.
Buy now £43.2, Boots.com
Your questions on dry skin moisturisers answered
What is the best moisturiser for dry skin?
The best moisturiser for dry skin is the Byoma barrier+ repair treatment. It’s a stand-out cream in terms of results and ingredients, but is also a very affordable choice. If you want more than just hydration and barrier repair, Glow Recipe’s cloudberry bright cream moisturiser is also great for skin brightening and tackling an uneven skin tone.
I was also very impressed by the immediate plumping effect of the Curel intensive facial moisture cream – particularly on fine lines around the eyes. If you are looking for an instant dry skin pick-me-up, this is the one.
How I tested moisturisers for dry skin
I tested each moisturiser on my dry skin, looking at five main qualities:
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin is caused by several factors. Environmental factors can be cold, dry air, either from weather or air conditioning, or using too much soap in the shower. It can also be caused by ageing and menopause, as well as health issues like psoriasis and eczema.
Meet the expert
Dr Ahmed El Muntasar is an aesthetic doctor and GP. He owns The Aesthetics Doctor clinics, three beauty clinics with locations in Cheshire, Leeds, and London.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Laura K Pearson is a beauty expert who has been testing and writing about skincare for more than 20 years. Her expertise covers everything from scientific ingredient deep-dives to shopping guides to the products that will give you the ‘glass skin’ look, such as the best sheet masks. She has interviewed countless leading skin experts and doctors on ingredients, formulations, and trends. She has tested dozens of moisturisers, so you can trust her when she says that these are the best for dry skin.
For more skincare help, read our tests of the best vitamin C serums
