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Best Moisturizers for Dry, Sensitive Skin 2026
It’s that time of year: We’re all collectively feeling the negative effects of winter temperatures and winds, which lead to dried out skin (even amongst those of us with typically dewy, balanced complexions). That being said, searches are up for the best moisturizers to use on dry skin, and our editors would be the first to tell you that locking down the right one for your needs is no easy task. While you might be tempted to slather on the richest formula you can find on your bathroom shelf and call it a day, catering to sensitivities and the different causes of dehydration requires a little extra legwork.
What causes dry, sensitive skin? The weather conditions of the winter months, yes, but also a whole host of other reasons. According to dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, “you might not be moisturizing enough, using overly harsh products to cleanse, overusing retinoids, over-exfoliating, or using the wrong mix of products.”
Whether your sensitivity shows up as an occasional reaction to skin care topicals or more regular flare-ups (like eczema and rosacea), you need a high-performing, top-rated moisturizer that reinforces your natural skin barrier function.
“Some people have a weaker skin barrier and are more prone to irritation,” says dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, alluding to the fact that this is a seasonless, year-round concern for many. Once your barrier becomes compromised, you’ll experience symptoms like redness, burning, stinging, and flaking. In order to treat this, both Dr. Gohara and Dr. Zeichner recommended looking for moisturizers that do two things: strengthen your skin’s protective layer to prevent further water loss as well as calm inflammation. Approved, barrier-supporting ingredients include ceramides, glycerin, colloidal oatmeal, and niacinamide. You’d be wise to keep an eye out for these, while avoiding exfoliants and potential irritants like fragrance.
Not sure where to start? We’re making things more smooth sailing with this list of dermatologist- and editor-approved favorites — ideal for combatting the dryness your skin is likely experiencing as we speak. Below, the 14 best moisturizers for keeping it hydrated and calm, from winter to summer and back again.
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream Moisturizer
Made for normal to dry skin, this non-comedogenic daily hero is backed by hyaluronic acid, which aids in the restoration of skin’s natural moisture balance. Its gel cream texture absorbs as easily as pure water, and the moisturizer also goes easy on sensitive or eczema-prone complexions. Neutrogena recommends applying it on your neck, too, so all those rewards (plumpness, softness, and the calming of any kind of irritation) can be extended. Tate McRae is a fan, and you’ll become one in no time.
What testers say: “For the past few weeks, I have had a dry and sensitive face that feels vulnerable to the elements (wind, humidity, stress). Hydro-Boost did the trick. I have always liked Neutrogena’s products, but this one might just be my favorite. Upon using Hydro-Boost, my skin feels hydrated. The water gel is not heavy or oily; neither will it make your face look shiny.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $16.99
Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream
Premium beauty brand Caudalie is coming in hot with its very own deeply hydrating moisturizer: fueled by patented technology that not only restores the skin barrier via lipid-replenishing bio-ceramides but also deals with the common signs of aging, including wrinkles and sagging. In that, the Premier Cru The Rich Cream is one of the best multitasking moisturizers to invest in from this roundup, seeing how the cream goes the extra mile by helping make your face firmer and more youthful looking. Other effective ingredients to enjoy here are plumping hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory plus dryness-curbing shea butter, not to mention various natural extracts and oils that give it a sumptuous texture.
What testers say: “This cream is amazing, especially for winter. It’s incredibly rich and deeply hydrating, leaving my skin feeling nourished, soft, and protected all day without feeling greasy. It’s perfect for dry or dehydrated skin during the colder months. I also love that it’s refillable: such a great, eco-friendly touch for a luxury product. The texture feels truly luxurious, and my skin looks healthier and more plump since using it. Definitely worth it!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $119
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Rich Barrier Moisturizer
Staying true to its name, Peter Thomas Roth’s fragrance-free Water Drench moisturizer drenches your face with enhanced hydration, and, as a byproduct, also boost’s skin’s thickness. Hyaluronic acid is once more the star player here, whose results are amplified by glycerin, squalane, and a type of mineral-rich red seaweed. It’s safe for use twice daily, with people noticing major improvements when it comes to how refreshed and glowy their skin felt and looked with consistent application.
What testers say: “This barrier cream is amazing for dry, irritated skin. It sinks in quickly and feels soothing right away without being greasy or heavy. My skin looks calmer and more hydrated. I love that I can use it as the last step at night or just dab it on dry patches during the day.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $59
Augustinus Bader The Ultimate Soothing Cream
Augustinus Bader is perhaps best known for its The Rich Cream, a celebrity-loved moisturizer that promises bouncier, firmer, and smoother skin, but The Ultimate Smoothing Cream is an even richer version of this skin-regenerating formula. Here, black cumin oil tamps down redness and calms inflamed skin, while evening primrose oil helps prevent transepidermal water loss. For bonus points, the cream also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, renewing the complexion on a cellular level courtesy of Augustinus Bader’s famous TFC8 technology.
Editor testing and review notes: “I like The Rich Cream, but I absolutely love the Ultimate Soothing Cream. While the brand does describe it as ‘ultra-rich,’ the potent formula feels light and silky as your skin soaks in all that goodness. It’s a perfect addition to your daily routine when drastic temperature dips trigger temperamental skin. I just wish this beautiful glass jar held a tad bit more of the luxurious cream.” — Former WWD Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $305
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Cream, Set of 2
This fast-absorbing, “Amazon’s Choice” formula comes especially recommended by Dr. Gohara. “It keeps water in and irritants out,” the expert says of the face cream. Ceramides are part of how that magic happens; the fatty acids act as building blocks for a healthy skin barrier that prevent the evaporation of moisture from your skin and into the air. On top of ceramides, this dry skin moisturizer has a tight ingredient list that includes only the good stuff — like colloidal oatmeal to calm irritation, plus natural skin softeners such as avocado oil and shea butter. Full rehab for parched winter skin: Coming right up!
Editor testing and review notes: “This is one of my favorite moisturizers to apply when my skin is dry and irritated but I need to wear makeup for work or otherwise. Many of the moisturizers I tend to reach for to quench my dry skin have a thicker texture that causes foundations applied on top to streak or slide around, but this one dries down to a velvety, weightless texture. I wouldn’t say that it acts as a makeup primer; it more so evens out my skin texture by saturating flaky, dry skin with moisture.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $48
Avène Tolerance Control Skin Recovery Balm
French pharmacy brand Avène bases its products on the healing powers of thermal spring water, which is not only gentle enough to use on compromised skin but also provides additional benefits for the skin’s microbiome with its postbiotics. This thick balm is specifically designed for very sensitive skin types or those with skin conditions that are resistant to other products. “There are no preservatives in this product at all due to its air-sealed packaging,” Dr. Gohara tells WWD. “It soothes inflamed skin in 30 seconds, and the thermal water calms irritation.”
Editor testing and review notes: “Although this moisturizer for sensitive skin has a thicker texture than some traditional face creams, I was impressed by how quickly it melted into my complexion. It does an incredible job of calming my skin — I recently experienced a windburn that left my face feeling raw and tingly, but two pumps of the Avène Tolerance Control Skin Recovery Balm made quick work of soothing the feel and look of the irritation. This is a foolproof option for those who usually triple-check a label for irritants before applying any given formula on their skin.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $28.50
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
There are very few face creams that work as well on oily, acne-prone skin as they do on the driest of skin types. Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is one of them, dear reader. The gel moisturizer is souped up with hyaluronic acid plus an aloe bio-ferment; together, these ingredients live up to its promise of long-lasting moisture. The top Clinique beauty product is also proof that the best moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin don’t have to feel like a weighty burden. The Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator’s gel texture makes it seemingly disappear upon contact. (Hint: It’s the most lightweight moisturizer for dry skin on our list!)
Editor testing and review notes: “As someone with dry skin, gel moisturizers usually don’t cut it for me. However, Clinique’s Moisture Surge Hydrator quickly became my go-to face cream this season because it’s lightweight and intensely hydrating — like an I.V. drip for the skin that doesn’t leave you with a greasy texture or a slimy feeling. It feels cooling on contact, too. What’s not to love?” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $88
Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm
Naturium’s skin care line is primarily backed by plant-based ingredients, and it’s safe to say the brand’s Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm — which fully sold out on its original site multiple times, by the way — is loaded with them. The salve’s namesake marshmallow root shows promise for reducing inflammation and increasing moisture when you apply it topically (although centuries ago, it was commonly used to soothe sore throats and coughs). Additional players in this highly rated offering include centella asiatica, milk thistle, and colloidal oatmeal, with the latter helping to rehydrate dry skin over time.
Editor testing and review notes: “This little blue jar is a pot of gold. The cream has as rich of a consistency as you’d expect from the product’s name but feels cooling and pillowy on contact rather than greasy. I used it recently when my complexion was acting up after a week spent vacationing in arid weather, and my skin drank it up: feeling softer, calmer, and smoother after a few days. I prefer it as a final step in my nighttime skin care routine, although those with ultra-dry skin could use it under face sunscreen during the day, in any season.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $25
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
While our editors swear by La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, you don’t have to rely on our word: This is an “Amazon’s Choice,” cult-favorite face moisturizer with well over 40,000 positive reviews to its name. The formula feels like a basic, hydrating face cream when you apply it — no fragrance; plain white color — but it’s actually loaded with elements that work overtime to treat and prevent dryness plus sensitivity. The ingredients in question? Moisture-retaining ceramides; glycerin, which draws water from the outside in; soothing and discoloration-addressing niacinamide; as well as La Roche-Posay’s mineral-, antioxidant-, and prebiotic-rich thermal water. Voilà!
Editor testing and review notes: “This La Roche-Posay moisturizer is always on standby in my medicine cabinet. I love to use it when my skin is reacting poorly to the weather, as well as when I’m getting a spell of breakouts. On top of quenching parched skin, it also helps it better tolerate intense actives (like retinol products or chemical face exfoliants). Even when my skin’s behaving, the moisturizer is a great, budget-friendly option given its price point and hefty, 3.4-ounce size.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $24.99
Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream
Tower 28’s founder Amy Liu created the now-viral skin care line after struggling with sensitive skin herself, so you better believe that each of the brand’s products is made to soothe and nourish your complexion — not irritate it. The SOS Recovery Cream is part of Tower 28’s popular SOS line, which also includes a lip treatment, sunscreen, gel cleanser, and beyond. It’s created with skin barrier–strengthening ceramides, as well as four types of hydrating hyaluronic acids. Further, the dry skin moisturizer includes allantoin, which promotes wound healing (great for compromised skin) and decreases inflammation. The brand suggests using it morning and night for best results, as the very last step of your skin care rituals.
Editor testing and review notes: “Tower 28’s SOS Spray is a staple in my skin care routine; although we’re on the topic of face creams, it’s a great facial mist to incorporate into your sensitive-skin toolkit. I’m newer to the SOS Recovery Cream, but after using it twice a day for a few days, I noticed an improvement in my skin’s redness levels. When I apply a generous coat at night, I also experience way less tightness in my skin come morning: proof that it’s doing its moisturizing work as advertised.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Cerave’s no-frills moisturizers have gained immense traction with dermatologists and TikTok creators alike. Dr. Zeichner recommends the company’s PM formula in particular, which he says “delivers ceramides to the skin to help fill in cracks between cells in the outer layer,” thereby reinforcing your barrier. It also contains brightening niacinamide — giving you everything you need to treat dry skin symptoms with a purchase that’s nothing if not a bargain.
Editor testing and review notes: “On dry winter days and nights, Cerave’s face creams are my North Star. I love that the container is airtight, rather than a tub, and that I can rely on the moisturizers to put my skin back into a happy, healthy, soft-to-the-touch state after just one or two nights of use.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $14.97
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
Vanicream creates some of the best skin care products for sensitive skin, what with its repertoire of highly gentle formulas that avoid common (and not-so-common) irritants: ranging from essential oils to artificial fragrance to lanolin. Those with reactive skin will more than appreciate this affordable moisturizer, which has a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly. Reviewers rave about its ability to not only calm rosacea flare-ups but also counteract the negative side effects of skin care components that commonly cause irritation (read: retinol).
Editor testing and review notes: “My dermatologist recommended Vanicream to me when I was dealing with a terrible reaction to a face serum that left my skin dry and peeling. After one use, I noticed an amazing improvement in the tenderness and splotchy red patches on my skin. I was able to fully recover only a few days after initial use. Since then, I’ve tested the version of this moisturizer with SPF, but I find that the plain one is best (and layers well under face sunscreens).” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $13.97
Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Some face creams are best for preventing dry, sensitive skin, while others simply treat it. Dr. Jart+’s Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream does both. Similar to drugstore moisturizer counterparts the list, ceramides are prominent players in this bestseller; by supporting a healthy skin barrier, they help your face keep moisture in and irritants out, just as Dr. Gohara sagely said. Another reason to fall in love? Dr. Jart+’s innovation (which is also equipped with panthenol for skin elasticity) grants a gorgeous, dewy finish that you’ll start craving on a regular basis. Glass skin is more achievable, and accessible, than you think.
Editor testing and review notes: “This face cream is one of those skin care products you always want to have in your makeup bag — particularly your travel one. I won’t step on an airplane without a thick coat of the moisturizer on my complexion. It keeps my skin supple and soft to the touch, and once I’ve arrived at my destination, I can use the cream during day and night. A little goes a long way, so it’s great value, too.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $20
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This famed French cream bathes your face in light — yet deeply hydrating! — moisture that dries down to a weightless finish. It’s packed with fatty acids and firming soy proteins that leave skin smooth and soft. Shea butter and aloe vera, too, provide another layer of emollient hydration. Wear the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré day or night as you please, noting that its finish layers well under makeup, making it a backstage favorite.
Editor testing and review notes: “If you haven’t tried this face cream yet, you simply must. I picked it up in Paris a year ago before realizing I could order it stateside, and I haven’t been without it since: relishing in the fact that it provides intense hydration and always leaves my skin soft to the touch. The product works as a makeup primer, day cream, and night cream… and not in a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ kind of way, either!” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $19
What Makes a Good Moisturizer for Dry, Sensitive Skin?
Fragrance-free formulation: “As much as we like the sensorial experience of a fragrance, it commonly leads to skin reactions,” says Dr. Zeichner. Seek out formulas that are labeled fragrance-free, and if you can’t find that on the packaging, look to the product’s ingredient list to ensure “fragrance” or “parfum” are not included there.
Skin barrier–strengthening ingredients: As we mentioned earlier, ceramides, glycerin, colloidal oatmeal, and niacinamide are some of the best ingredients to look for in moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin. The one thing they have in common is an ability to support a healthy skin barrier, which is essential for retaining moisture and also helps tamp down inflammation associated with sensitivity.
Humectants and occlusives: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid work as humectants, drawing moisture from the environment into the skin. However, the best moisturizers for dry skin will include occlusives like plant-based oils and butters, too, as these ingredients work in lockstep with humectants to seal in said moisture, leading to skin that stays quenched in the long term.
How We Tested the Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To create this list of the best moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin, WWD Shop editors with inherently dry skin tested over 40 face creams throughout the course of one full year, assessing the formulas in all seasons (with a particular emphasis on winter, to be sure). We put on these face creams when our skin was irritated from harsh serums, ultra-parched from long flights, experiencing unwanted breakouts, or feeling sensitive due to the cold. During testing, we evaluated the moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin against a list of criteria that included texture, absorption rate, efficacy in reducing irritation and redness, packaging, and more. To round out this article and give it added credibility, leading dermatologists weighed in on key ingredients to look for in a great moisturizer, while also sharing their product recommendations. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Joshua Zeichner is an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic & clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He is one of the country’s key leaders in treating acne and rosacea, as well as an expert in cosmeceuticals, skin care at large, and cosmetic dermatology.
Dr. Mona Gohara is a dermatologist in Hamden, CT, specializing in medical and surgical dermatology. After graduating from medical school with AOA honors, Dr. Gohara did her dermatology training at Yale New Haven Hospital, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Gohara continues to teach at Yale as an associate clinical professor.
Meet the Authors
Claire Sullivan was the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she wrote and edited beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. Sullivan wrote the original version of this article and tested all the moisturizers featured at the time. She has dry, sensitive skin and mild rosacea, experiencing breakouts on a monthly basis. Sullivan relied on Cerave’s face cream for many years before she began testing a slew of hydrating moisturizers in her role as a beauty editor.
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on beauty products worth readers’ time and money.
