Best moisturisers for dry skin, tried and tested by a beauty editor in her 40s

I never needed to think about my skin type until I started going through premature menopause, and then hit the big 4-0. Suddenly, I was experiencing dry skin, and looking for products to combat it. More than two years (and more than 40 moisturisers) into that search, I’ve finally found the best products, and my skin is looking better than ever – plump, smooth, and radiant.

Dry skin has several causes, but essentially, it’s a failure of the skin’s barrier function. 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.”

No matter how simple or elaborate your skincare routine, everyone needs to be using the right moisturiser for their skin type. A moisturiser for dry skin needs to be both hydrating and occlusive, so it should pull moisture into the skin and then stop it from escaping again.

In my role as a beauty writer, I'm constantly testing new products, so I know the telltale signs of a great moisturiser for dry skin, and for those that are not so effective. Below, I've shared the moisturisers that have genuinely impressed me after weeks of tests.

I tested all of these creams during bouts of dry skin. I tested each product for at least two weeks and applied it twice a day – once in the morning and again in the evening. I assessed them by the following criteria:

• Formula: Dr El Muntasar advised that a good moisturiser for dry skin should contain “glycerin, urea, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, linoleic acid, and thick sealing ingredients such as shea butter”. I kept this in mind while I assessed the ingredients in each product. I wanted formulas that would rehydrate the skin while preventing further dehydration – this is achieved by repairing and fortifying the skin barrier to retain moisture.
• Application: I noted how easily each moisturiser was applied, and how it sat on, or was absorbed by, my skin.
• Texture: I assessed the consistency of the formulas and whether they were comfortably rich enough to nourish and seal moisture into my skin, but not so thick that they felt clogging or comedogenic.Appearance of the skin: Judging how each moisturiser made my skin look was an important, though not so scientific, criterion. I looked for both an immediate improvement and a longer-term improvement in my skin, assessed how plump and dewy it was, and how radiant it appeared. I also assessed how each cream improved how my makeup applied on top of it, as we all know, there’s no greater exposure of dry skin than when you put your base on top of it.
• Feel of the skin: I considered how hydrated and comfortable my skin felt after application and throughout the day and into the evening.

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. 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.

• The best moisturisers for dry skin in 2025 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: £19.50, Boots.com

Byoma barrier+ repair treatment

Best: Dry skin moisturiser 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

La Roche Posay cicaplast baume B5+ repairing soothing balm

Best: Moisturisier 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.