Our Testers with Dry Skin Recommend These Rich, Hydrating Face Moisturizers That Start at Just $12 on Amazon

If you have dry skin, you ideally want a moisturizer that contains at least two of the three categories of moisturizing ingredients. This formula easily checks that box, containing all three — hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and occlusive dimethicone — which trap water, strengthen the skin barrier, and seal everything in. 

Given that formulation, it’s not surprising that this moisturizer nabbed the top spot on our list. We gave it a perfect five out of five when it came to how it made our skin look and feel, with one tester noting that her face felt hydrated and refreshed, and that the moisturizer blended easily into skin and absorbed within five minutes. (In related news, we also found it had an innately pleasant cooling sensation.) It wasn’t just her imagination: Her moisture readings jumped from 17.6 to 31.6 percent before using the product to 25.5 to 41.8 percent after using.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Dryness

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

Dermatologists recommend this moisturizer (and many other products from this brand) on repeat. Why? It’s both super effective and very gentle on skin, free of a litany of different potential irritants including dyes, fragrance, and parabens.

What it does include are five different ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerine for deep hydration that stays put. And after our testing, we’re also strongly recommending this formula and gave it a perfect score in every category.

Our one gripe was that the lightweight, sheer nature of this moisturizer may require you to apply more at night if you like to be a bit more moisturized before you snooze, or if your skin requires more moisture in the colder months. (If this is the case, you probably need an effective night cream, instead).

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, squalane, hyaluronic acid | Size: 3 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Dryness

  4/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  4/5

You know Cetaphil for its gentle skin cleanser, but its under-$15 moisturizer is one of our favorite drugstore budget picks. With an almost perfect score across the board (4.6 out of 5), this moisturizer is lightweight and easy to apply. It’s extremely hydrating and left our tester’s skin moisturized and soft. We noticed an immediate change in our skin’s hydration, with our tester’s moisture levels jumping from 19 to 30 percent before using the product to 35 to 46 percent after use.

We love that this moisturizer works within minutes and doesn’t leave skin looking or feeling oily. While we wish the texture was less watery, we appreciate that it’s not heavy or greasy on the skin. And the lightweight formula makes it easy to incorporate into a daily morning skincare routine. Overall, this hydrating lotion is worth the price and compares to other high-end moisturizers we tried.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera | Size: 3 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Dryness

  5/5

• Appearance

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

As the name suggests, the stars of the show in this cream are ceramides, essential components of the skin barrier (or the outermost layer of the skin that helps to keep moisture in and irritants out). And to the point of irritants, this is also an extremely gentle formula; it’s free of fragrance, hypoallergenic, and allergy-tested…so much that it even touts the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Approval (a major boon since dry skin and eczema often go hand-in-hand).

During testing, we found it to hydrate and soften the skin so much that our tester wanted to just slather it all around her body. That’s an option with this pick, as it can in fact be used head-to-toe. It scored high marks across the board, particularly when it came to value: We appreciated the large-sized tub that rings in at an affordable price.

However, it’s important to note that tub packaging leaves the door open for bacterial growth from continually dipping your fingers into the formula; because it’s cream formula, though, this is expected (and not the only moisturizer on TheShockNews with this kind of packaging). We suggest using a reusable beauty spatula to take out product each time you use.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 12 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Dryness

  4/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  4/5

More often than not, dry skin and sensitivity go hand-in-hand; when your skin barrier is compromised, moisture can more easily escape and irritants more easily get in. Enter this winner, which is fragrance-free, and both dermatologist- and allergy-tested. On top of that, it contains ceramides and niacinamide, two emollient ingredients that can help strengthen the skin barrier. (And if you’re looking for a moisturizer with SPF, this formula is also available with sun protection.)

As far as immediate moisture goes, our tester’s moisture readings on her cheeks jumped from 35.5 to 43.5 percent. We enjoyed that it was lightweight yet effective, which is especially ideal for pre-makeup application. However, we did note that for nighttime application we had to use more of this formula compared with others we tested to get the desired amount of hydration.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin | Size: 3.3 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  4/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Dryness

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

There are face creams, and then there are super face creams, like this ultra-luxe, ultra-rich popular French formula. Be prepared, this beeswax-based option initially goes on thick (so much that we dinged it slightly in the consistency category). Still, it scored a perfect five out of five for absorbing quickly and leaving skin feeling soft and plump to the touch thanks to hydrating aloe and nourishing shea butter.

While it excelled when it came to moisturizing, we also loved how it had the added benefit of improving the look of both skin tone and texture. During testing, we found that it hid and calmed the redness from rosacea on one tester’s cheeks, and it appeared to smooth the uneven texture as well. It bears mentioning that it does contain fragrance, which could exacerbate reactive skin types, though we found the rose-like scent to be pleasant.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, aloe | Size: 2.54 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: No

Our Ratings

• Feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Hydration

  5/5

• Appearance

  4.8/5

After testing several options, the best lightweight face moisturizer for dry skin is the Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer. This under-$20 formula is enhanced with a blend of nourishing and refreshing ingredients, including aloe vera juice, vitamin E, and avocado oil. Plus, it also features the brand’s superfood protein compound designed to protect against blue light damage and Hoya Lucunosa Flower Extract for a major glow-up.

While testing this formula, we loved how quickly it absorbs into the complexion and how you rarely ever notice it — even in humid weather. Since it is more lightweight, we found it layers well with other products, including SPF and liquid foundations.

Despite its lightweight texture, we found that this still worked wonders on combatting our dry complexion, and with regular application, we saw a noticeable difference in our skin’s overall hydration levels. However, despite its lightweight feel, we still only recommend this for those with super dry skin, as the oils in the formula aren’t suited for anyone with oily or combination skin. (If that’s you, we recommend these best moisturizers for oily skin, instead.)

Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, vitamin E, avocado oil, hoya lucunosa flower extract, blue light protection | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  5/5

• Absorption

  4/5

• Dryness

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

Those looking to minimize their pores and obtain a more even tone and smoother complexion will appreciate this skin soak crem from Versed. The cream is packed with hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid, squalane, algae extract, and vitamin E, so it locks in moisture while fending off early aging.

Immediately we noticed that the consistency of this moisturizer was lightweight and comfortable. It felt very creamy and soothing on the skin. The product absorbed well without leaving behind any sticky residue, and it didn’t take long to soak into the skin.

It hydrated our tester’s skin extremely well and left her skin feeling “softer and plumper.” Her skin felt “refreshed and revived” after applying this moisturizer. She even noticed that her skin looked smoother, pores appeared smaller, and skin tone was more even.

Overall, we think the quality is incredible for the price — it’s $18 at Amazon for 1.5 oz. and we didn’t have any downsides to report for this one.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, algae extract, vitamin E | Size: 1.5 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4.9/5

• Absorption

  4.3/5

• Hydration

  4.9/5

• Appearance

  4.8/5

Sometimes, a skincare formula is worth the investment — and the Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich is exactly that. This face moisturizer is enhanced with antioxidant-rich vitamin E and avocadin to hydrate and nourish the complexion. Additionally, it features skullcap, which is a potent botanical known for supporting cellular turnover.

When taking this out for a spin in our real-world testing, we found that the anti-aging skin cream works best at nighttime as it provides a heavy-duty layer of moisture that can make an impact in the skin’s hydration levels with regular use.

While we don’t love it for daytime (its formula is just a little too thick for our dry skin), we think it would work well for those with ultra-parched complexions as well as anyone going for a makeup-less dewy glow.

Key Ingredients: Skullcap, vitamin E, avocadin | Size: 1.69 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: No

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4.9/5

• Absorption

  4.9/5

• Hydration

  4.9/5

• Appearance

  4.7/5

The Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream is formulated with a high-quality blend of peptides for elasticity and collagen support, hydrosella for long-lasting hydration, and squalane for skin barrier protection.

When testing this formula, we were first taken aback by its lightweight texture and thought for sure it wouldn’t help our dry, sometimes flaky skin — however, we were totally wrong. With regular use, this face moisturizer completely changed our complexion’s hydration levels and left our skin feeling soft, supple, and well-nourished (though we would prefer something a little heavier in the cold fall and winter months).

In addition to providing the skin with a hydration boost, this skin cream is designed to help support loss of firmness and is designed to keep skin free of congestion, which makes it great for mature and acne-prone skin types that also need a dose of hydration.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, hydrosella, squalane | Size: 2.5 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: No

Our Ratings

• Feel

  2.5/5

• Absorption

  2.5/5

• Hydration

  2.8/5

• Appearance

  2.5/5

Even though lightweight gel moisturizers are more often thought of as better choices for those with oily or combination skin, this one proved to still be very effective for combating dryness — it actually earned perfect scores in nearly every category.

The brand describes it as a whipped gel cream which we found to absorb quickly, instantly leaving skin feeling moist and a bit glossy (in a non-sticky way). During testing, we found that even after washing, our skin continued to feel moist and looked brighter and more glowing from the gel moisturizer. Credit polyglutamic acid (a deeply hydrating peptide), hyaluronic acid, and plum, which hydrates the skin as well as brightens thanks to vitamin C.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: No

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  3/5

• Absorption

  3/5

• Dryness

  4/5

• Appearance

  4/5

• Value

  3/5

When you have dry skin, your complexion can experience lots of discomfort in more desert-like environments, including inside an office when the air conditioning is consistently on blast.

One of our testers put this formula to the test during long hospital shifts and found that it helped combat the effects of air conditioning on the complexion while also improving the skin’s suppleness and glow. While the whipped face cream is a tad too thick for humid climates, it worked well at improving hydration levels in dry climates and had a long-lasting moisturized effect.

Since it is on the heavier side, we found that it’s best to wait around 20 or 30 minutes before applying makeup or else the formula doesn’t feel fully absorbed and can be a bit of a mess when foundation and concealer get added to the mix. However, it layers well once absorbed and helps promote a dewy effect, too.

Key Ingredients: African oil blend, ceramides, Phytosphingosine | Size: 1.69 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: No

Our Ratings

• Feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Hydration

  4.6/5

• Appearance

  5/5

Dry skin needs all of the hydration it can get — so hyaluronic acid should be a non-negotiable. While many of the formulas we tested include this important ingredient, the Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Moisturizer is the best option if you’re looking for the benefits of a hyaluronic acid serum in a moisturizer.

Enhanced with five different types of hyaluronic acid for a major boost of hydration, this face cream felt refreshing and soothing on the complexion after just one application. It’s also lightweight enough to layer well with other skincare formulas without feeling too light for dry skin needs.

When testing this formula out, we were blown away by how glowy it made our complexion — especially since our dry skin tends to feel more lackluster — and how it helped keep breakouts at bay, too.

Key Ingredients: Five types of hyaluronic acid, squalane, ceramides, Green Tea Tri-biotics | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: No

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  4/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Dryness

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  4/5

There’s no shortage of emollient, natural oils to be found in this formula from Paula’s Choice. More specifically, those such as olive, borage seed, and chia oil offer a hefty dose of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids to help soften and smooth the skin, making this ideal for those who want serious, long-lasting moisture.

In fact, the moisture readings on our testers’ cheeks nearly doubled after using this, jumping from 28.7 to 52.8 percent. In related news, it earned a perfect score for combating dryness: We noticed a significant change in the skin’s texture after the product sat for 15 minutes — leaving it feeling soft-to-the-touch and healthier than it’s ever looked.

While this moisturizer is ideal for those with dry, chapped, redness-prone skin, you may find that it’s a bit too heavy if your skin easily breaks out, as the oils in the blend are nourishing but can also be comedogenic. That’s not to say this cream was too heavy sitting on the skin, though — we found that it absorbed rather quickly and did not leave any greasy aftermath, which we appreciate.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, ceramides, chia seed oil, olive oil | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4.9/5

• Absorption

  4.8/5

• Hydration

  4.8/5

• Appearance

  4.8/5

With the Eadem Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer with Ceramides + Peptides, you can achieve hydrated skin while also targeting pesky hyperpigmentation. This formula features three plant ceramides to help restore the skin’s moisture barrier, as well as niacinamide for its brightening effects. On top of that, it is also enhanced with Tetrapeptide-30, known for its ability to lighten dark spots and even out the skin tone.

When testing this formula, we first noticed how well it absorbs. Since it has a thicker consistency, we were expecting much here, but much to our surprise, it absorbs almost instantly and — better yet — helps promote improved absorption of follow-up products such as skincare oils and SPF makeup products. Throughout the testing period, we also noticed that the face moisturizer effectively brightened our complexion for a more even-looking skin tone, too. We also love that it gives the skin a more satin finish, so you still get that gorgeous, hydrated glow without feeling too greasy.

Key Ingredients: Tetrapeptide-30, three plant ceramides, niacinamide | Size: 1.69 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Dryness

  5/5

• Appearance

  3.5/5

• Value

  4/5

If you’re looking for a natural moisturizer that’s gentle on sensitive dry skin, look no further than Then I Met You Renewing Rich Beauty Cream — a favorite in the K-beauty world. It’s perfect for all skin types, providing deep hydration for a radiant glow. The formula comes without parabens, artificial fragrances and colors, and alcohol, giving it a “best natural” nod on our list.

This luxurious cream boasts a quad ginseng complex, a potent blend of antioxidants that leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and plump with moisture. Ginseng, known for its age-defying properties, works to restore bounce and suppleness to the skin. It’s also enriched with baobab, squalene, and hyaluronic acid for a long-lasting hydration that absorbs into the skin quickly. Our tester loved the fast-acting formula and said that her skin “drank this right up” — it absorbed beautifully and had a refreshing cooling sensation. This cream left our tester’s skin feeling healthy and hydrated.

It’s in the mid-high price range (just shy of $60) and the product wasn’t completely full upon initial inspection, so we docked a point for value. Otherwise, our tester had nothing but high praise for this moisturizer, saying: “The silkiness feels incredible, the packaging is adorable, and my skin feels so refreshed.” 

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, baobab, quad ginseng complex | Size: 1.69 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4.5/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Hydration

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

Rihanna’s Fenty Skin offers a two-in-one product that doubles as both a moisturizer and a sunscreen. This lightweight cream comes with a slew of hydrating and age-defying ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinimide, Kalahari melon, and aloe vera. Our tester loved the instant cooling and hydration effects of this moisturizer, saying her skin felt “dewy and supple” with even her driest spots appearing “moist and hydrated.”

We specifically love that this product incorporates sunscreen yet still manages to give the skin a vibrant, glowy look with no white cast. The invisible SPF applies smoothly and is perfect to wear underneath makeup — there’s no pilling. The bottle advises users to reapply every two hours, which may seem like a lot, but that’s a standard recommendation for sunscreen, via the Skin Cancer Foundation. And while we wish the SPF were higher than 30, we appreciate that has sunscreen at all.

If you’re sensitive to fragrance, then you’ll love that you can purchase this moisturizer with our without its signature light desert melon scent. Overall, we think this is the perfect cream if you’re in the market for a hydrating product that also contains SPF — and also happens to come in a cute bottle.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, niacinamide, Kalahari melon, sunscreen | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes (can purchase with or without fragrance)

Our Ratings

• Feel/Consistency

  4/5

• Absorption

  4/5

• Dryness

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Value

  4/5

Looking to reap the benefits of retinol while still getting a quality moisturizer? Try Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream Moisturizer, available for under $25 at Amazon. It’s formulated with an animo peptide complex that helps regenerate surface skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You’ll also find vitamin E and niacinamide to help lock in moisture within the skin.

The consistency of this moisturizer is thick, so you’ll only need a few dots for your entire face. While we thought it might be too heavy, it actually feels nice and lightweight after it absorbs into the skin. Because of it’s thickness, we recommend using during the colder months when your skin gets really dry. 

We think it smells nice for a moisturizer and is a good value for the amount of product you get. You’ll only need to apply once in the morning, because we feel like this moisturizer could last all day.

Key Ingredients: Amino peptide complex, vitamin E, niacinamide, glycerin, petrolatum | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Fragrance-Free: Yes