The best moisturizer for very dry skin is a thick cream with ceramides and a sealing ingredient, not a light lotion. Our top pick is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. For flaky, stinging patches, try La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5.
Here is what nobody tells you. If your cheeks still feel like paper after you moisturize, your skin is not the problem. The texture is.
Most lotions are mostly water. Water feels nice, but it evaporates fast. Very dry skin needs something that stays on top and holds moisture in.
So we picked six creams that stay. Pick one, give it two weeks, and watch your face change.
This guide covers the best moisturizer for very dry skin for your face only. For the full routine, start with our best skincare products for dry skin. Dry skin on your body? See our best body moisturizer for dry skin.
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Best Moisturizer for Very Dry Skin: Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Texture | Price |
| CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Everyday very dry skin | Thick cream | $$ |
| La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 | Peeling, stinging skin | Soft balm | $$ |
| Aquaphor Healing Ointment | Sealing at night | Ointment | $ |
| First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream | Rough, flaky skin | Rich cream | $$$ |
| Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream | Dry, sensitive skin | Smooth cream | $$ |
| Weleda Skin Food | A natural pick | Waxy cream | $$ |
Why Lotions Fail Very Dry Skin
Check the texture before you blame the product. When you shop for the best moisturizer for very dry skin, WeDerm dermatologists say a cream or ointment holds moisture longer than a lotion or gel, because it has less water. The American Academy of Dermatology gives the same advice.
How to Pick the Best Moisturizer for Very Dry Skin
Choose the Right Texture
Think of it as a ladder. The best moisturizer for very dry skin is usually a cream, balm or ointment. Go up one step if your skin is still tight after two weeks.
- Lotion: light, fine for mild dryness
- Cream: thicker, right for most very dry skin
- Balm: soft and rich, good for peeling patches
- Ointment: the thickest, best as a night seal
Look for These Ingredients
The Cleveland Clinic explains the three jobs the best moisturizer for very dry skin does:
- Humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin pull water in
- Ceramides and emollients such as shea butter smooth and repair
- Occlusives such as petrolatum and dimethicone seal it all in
Skip These Ingredients
Fragrance and essential oils can sting dry, cracked skin. Our guide to fragrance free moisturizers shows what to look for. Also pause retinol and exfoliating acids while your face is peeling.
Is a Natural Moisturizer for Dry Face Better?
Not always. Dermatologists at WeDerm note that organic or plant-based formulas can cause contact dermatitis in dry, sensitive skin. If you want a natural moisturizer for dry face, patch test first. We included one natural option below.
Our 6 Picks for the Best Moisturizer for Very Dry Skin
1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: Best Overall for Very Dry Skin
Best for: Very dry, tight or flaky skin on the face and body
Texture: Thick, soft cream that sinks in without feeling greasy
Key ingredients: 3 essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Price: $ | 16 oz with pump
Why We Picked It
This is the best moisturizer for very dry skin if you want one cream you can trust every day. It is made for dry to very dry skin, and it works on your face and your body.
The three ceramides help rebuild your skin barrier, so water stays in. Hyaluronic acid pulls in moisture, and the cream keeps releasing it through the day.
It is fragrance free and non-comedogenic, so it will not clog your pores. The pump makes it easy to use, and the 16 oz size lasts for weeks.
Pros
- Rebuilds the skin barrier with 3 ceramides
- Fragrance free and non-comedogenic
- Works on face and body
- Big pump bottle, easy and clean to use
Cons
- Thick texture can feel heavy on oily or acne prone areas
- May not be enough alone for cracked or eczema prone patches
2. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5: Best for Peeling Skin
Best for: Peeling, stinging skin
Texture: Soft, thick balm
Ingredients: Panthenol, madecassoside, shea butter, glycerin
Price: $16.99 | 1.35 fl oz
Why We Picked It
When your face is peeling or stinging, we’d reach for this one. Panthenol and madecassoside calm the skin. Shea butter and glycerin soften it and hold in water.
It is a gentle peeling skin moisturizer for the days your skin feels raw.
Pros
- Fragrance free
- Calms redness and stinging
- Soft, easy to spread
- Good on lips and hands too
Cons
- Small tube goes fast on a full face
- Dimethicone can pill under other products
3. Aquaphor Healing Ointment: Best Night Seal
Best for: Sealing in moisture at night
Texture: Thick, glossy ointment
Ingredients: 41% petrolatum, panthenol, glycerin, bisabolol
Price: $18.37 | 14 oz
Why We Picked It
Dermatologists often use petrolatum as the last step of barrier repair, and this is the classic one. For night, it is the best moisturizer for very dry skin to seal everything in. Panthenol helps soothe.
Smooth a thin layer over your night cream. This is called slugging, and it is our favorite fix for very dry winter skin.
Pros
- Fragrance free
- Seals in the cream underneath
- Also works on lips, hands and heels
- One jar lasts a long time
Cons
- Greasy feel, so keep it for night
- Contains lanolin alcohol, so patch test if lanolin bothers you
4. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: Best for Rough, Flaky Skin
Best for: Rough, flaky, eczema-prone skin
Texture: Rich, thick cream
Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramide NP, shea butter
Price: $42 | 6 oz
Why We Picked It
This is the best moisturizer for very dry skin that feels rough like sandpaper. It has 0.5% colloidal oatmeal to soothe, ceramide NP to support your barrier and shea butter to soften.
First Aid Beauty says it is accepted by the National Eczema Association.
Pros
- Soothes rough, flaky skin
- Has ceramides and shea butter
- Accepted by the National Eczema Association
- Rich but not sticky
Cons
- Higher price than most picks
- Has eucalyptus leaf oil, so patch test if you are sensitive
5. Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream: Best for Dry, Sensitive Skin
Best for: Dry, sensitive skin at night
Texture: Smooth, creamy
Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E, olive fruit oil
Price: $17.99 | 1.7 oz
Why We Picked It
For dry, sensitive skin, we’d choose this night cream. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin pull in water, and olive fruit oil and vitamin E soften.
Cetaphil says it protects skin from dryness for up to 24 hours. It is easy on a sensitive face.
Pros
- Fragrance free
- Hypoallergenic
- Non clogging
Cons
- Small jar
- Not as thick as an ointment for cracked skin
6. Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream: Best Natural Pick
Best for: A natural moisturizer for dry face
Texture: Thick, waxy cream
Ingredients: Sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, beeswax, plant extracts
Price: $22.99 | 2.5 fl oz
Why We Picked It
If you want a natural moisturizer for dry face, this is our pick. It is built on sunflower and sweet almond oil, with beeswax and calendula, chamomile and pansy extracts.
Weleda says to use it on dry, rough areas. Healthline also named it a best natural moisturizer.
Pros
- Plant oil base
- Thick and long lasting
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Contains fragrance and lanolin, so not for very sensitive skin
- Too waxy for oily areas
How to Use Moisturizer on Very Dry Skin
Even the best moisturizer for very dry skin needs good habits.
- Use a coin-sized amount for your whole face
- Apply on damp skin. Pat dry and use it within about three minutes, as the Cleveland Clinic advises
- Moisturize at least twice a day and again whenever skin feels tight
- Try slugging at night. Add a thin layer of ointment over your cream to lock everything in
Keep your cream next to your toothbrush, so you never skip it.
How to Fix Peeling Skin on Your Face
The best moisturizer for very dry skin helps, but your routine matters too. Follow these steps for peeling skin:
- Pause scrubs, retinol and acids for a week. See chemical exfoliation for when to restart.
- Cleanse gently with a creamy wash. Our best face wash for dry skin guide helps.
- Moisturize right away with your peeling skin moisturizer, using the steps above.
- Do not pick. Let flakes soften and fall off.
Winter Dry Skin Best Moisturizer Routine
For winter, the best moisturizer for very dry skin is the richest one your skin accepts. This is our winter dry skin best moisturizer plan:
- Morning: rinse or cleanse gently, apply cream, then SPF 30. Read moisturizer or sunscreen first for the order.
- Night: cream first, then ointment on the driest spots.
- Daily: keep showers to 5 to 10 minutes in warm water and run a humidifier while you sleep, as the AAD advises.
Lips dry too? Try our best lip balms for dry lips. For more seasonal tips, see our fall skincare routine.
When to See a Dermatologist
The AAD says to see a dermatologist if dryness continues despite home care, if you have atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, or if a product burns or stings. WeDerm adds that conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism can cause dry skin.
Best Moisturizer for Very Dry Skin FAQs
What is the best face moisturizer for extremely dry skin?
For most people, the best moisturizer for very dry skin is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream in the day and a thin layer of Aquaphor at night. Use Cicaplast on raw, peeling patches.
Can I use body cream on my face?
Yes, if it is fragrance free and non clogging, like CeraVe. Avoid scented body creams on your face.
Is Aquaphor okay on the face?
Yes, at night over a cream. Patch test first if lanolin has bothered you.
Can I use retinol if my skin is very dry?
Wait until your skin recovers. Then start slowly with our gentle retinol cream picks.
How do I know my moisturizer is working?
Your skin should feel soft, not tight, within two to three weeks. Flaking and stinging should fade too. If nothing changes in a month, Healthline advises seeing a dermatologist.
Does very dry skin with acne need a different moisturizer?
The best moisturizer for very dry skin with acne is a non clogging cream like CeraVe. Use ointment only on dry patches. See our acne skincare routine and sunscreens for acne prone skin.
The Bottom Line
Our pick for the best moisturizer for very dry skin is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. For peeling skin, choose Cicaplast. For the best face moisturizer for extremely dry skin at night, add Aquaphor. If you want a natural option, try Weleda Skin Food. For mature skin, see our best moisturizer for ageing skin.