The 13 Best Face Moisturizers for Dry, Sensitive Skin, According to People Who Need It

Most Refreshing

We get it. Not everyone wants to go to bed wearing a thick layer of lotion. But Fresh’s Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer delivers the kind of hydration dry, sensitive skin needs without feeling heavy. PureWow’s Commerce Editor explains, “I can't stand the feeling of heavy moisturizers on my skin, so I love this formula from Fresh. It feels just as light as my summer moisturizer, but ensures that my skin doesn't flake and dry out in the harsh winter months."

The Cult Classic

People with and without sensitive skin love this Olay moisturizer for its intense hydrating benefits. In fact, more than one billion (yes, with a ‘b’) jars have been sold, with 20 of the iconic red jars sold every minute worldwide. And at least four PureWow editors swear by it. Editorial Director, Angela says, “I don’t know why I waited so long to give the red jar a try. It goes on smooth, sinks right in and plumps my easily irritated skin with so much hydration. I keep one on backup at all times.” We appreciate that it's fragrance-free as well, so it doesn't compete with any other products in our routine.

Best for Very Dry Skin

You don’t know dry air until you live in Colorado, like PureWow’s Senior Editor Cristina, who can personally attest to the harsh, skin-irritating winters. She loves this night cream from the BodyShop for its velvety smooth texture, saying, “The BodyShop Vitamin E night cream is super gentle and rich but absorbs nicely and leaves my skin soft with zero greasiness. I find that a lot of moisturizers leave my face dry again as soon as they absorb, but not this one. It also doesn't irritate my skin at all.”

Most Splurge-Worthy

Timeline is a Swiss cellular health brand that introduced its first skincare products earlier this year. The Day Cream (like The Night Cream and The Serum) incorporates Timeline's patented ingredient Mitopure, a highly pure form of the powerful, naturally occurring anti-aging compound Urolithin A. Wellness director Sarah Stiefvater raves, "I know this stuff doesn't come cheap, but if you're able to splurge it's a total treat. It makes my skin feel super hydrated and plump (and look extra bright), and I especially love that it's fragrance-free, as some heavily fragranced face creams tend to irritate my skin. I also really appreciate how intensely researched—and clean—Timeline's products are, as well as how the brand uses refillable packaging to cut down on waste."

Best Texture

Another moisturizer Cristina swears by? Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream. She compares it to the BodyShop Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream she mentioned above, but elaborates, “It’s honestly similar in texture and quality to the BodyShop product IMO, but it’s just a bit fancier (and pricier).” The product is chock-full of signal peptides, growth factors, supportive amino acids and pygmy water lily, which not only hydrate but also strengthen compromised skin while delivering major anti-aging benefits.

Best for Flaking Skin

When you need immediate relief, slathering Vaseline all over your visage and wrapping your face in a hot towel probably sounds amazing. But it’s bound to clog your pores and add acne problems into the mix. PureWow’s Fashion Editor suggests going for this OG moisturizer instead, saying, “Elizabeth Arden’s Nighttime Miracle Moisturizer is legit the same consistency as Vaseline, but is actually made to be slathered on your face. It's the only thing that keeps my skin from flaking off in the winter.”

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Commerce Director Nicole Briese fell in love with this after receiving it as sample. While she has dry skin, she breaks out if her moisturizer is too heavy, and this one's unique, Queen of the Night cactus-based formula gets the job done without making your skin feel greasy. In fact, it soaks right in as soon as you apply it. It has an almost gel-like texture that isn't messy, and it feels nice and cool upon application, too.

Best Drugstore

CeraVe’s moisturizing cream is a favorite among those with eczema and chronic skin conditions, which means it’s a perfect choice for anyone with sensitive skin. It provides 24 hours of hydration and also helps restore the protective skin barrier with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It was even recommended to PureWow’s Executive Editor, Phil, by his dermatologist. He says, “My sensitive skin becomes super dry in the winter. I asked my derm what do, and he was like, duh, just use CeraVe moisturizing cream. Now I have zero problems, no matter what time of year it is.”

Most Natural

Compromised skin barriers make it harder for skin to hold onto hydration, which is exactly what this moisturizer helps with. One PureWow editor swears by it for her combination skin: “My skin is super dry on the cheeks, but oily in the T-zone, so I often use different moisturizers for different parts of my face (I know, high maintenance). I discovered Weleda’s Skin Food thanks to a makeup artist on a video shoot and have been using it on my drier areas ever since. It’s super thick (it basically feels like glue until you rub it in), so it’s definitely not for everyone, but I love how it really holds onto my skin and doesn’t budge, delivering all the hydration and calming properties where I need them most.”

Most Underrated

Since water evaporates and oil doesn’t, it makes sense to go all in on dry skin with an oil-based moisturizer. This one comes recommended by PureWow’s VP of Growth, Emily, for its gentle yet super hydrating properties. She says, “A facialist in Sydney recommended it to me. It's not the easiest to get hold of in the U.S. (but luckily Amazon stocks it) so I've deviated a few times, but always regretted it and gone back. It's never irritated my usually easily irritable skin and I got so many compliments when I started using it. So my ego's happy as well as my face.”

Best for Fine Lines

For extra hydration with a side of skin firming benefits, we love this collagen-infused cream from L'Oréal. Massage it over your face, neck, and decollete as part of your morning or nighttime skincare routine to smooth the appearance of fine lines and mild wrinkles. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly and is non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores or cause irritation. "The little lines on my forehead are a lot less noticeable since I started using this," says one PureWow editor.

Best Vegan Option

Though this versatile face moisturizer works on all skin types, it's especially hydrating for those with very dry skin (or who live in arid climates). We also appreciate that it comes in an easy-to-use jar (with a little spatula) so you’re not dipping your fingers in the jar. Bonus: The formula is vegan and non-comedogenic, so it’s kind to the environment and your pores, too.

Best Multitasker

Though it’s technically a baby lotion, it’s a solid choice for anyone whose skin needs extra coddling. With no potentially irritating fragrance or dyes, this all-over lotion has a thinner consistency than some others on this list but holds its own in its hydrating prowess. Key ingredients include organic shea butter, olive and jojoba oils, chamomile and calendula to smooth and soothe dry skin on contact. (Our beauty editor uses this from head-to-toe to keep her skin baby soft.)