The Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin on Amazon (Dermatologist Favorites Under $25)

Tight, flaky, itchy skin as the weather cools down? These are the moisturizers dermatologists recommend most, all on Amazon, most under $25.

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Dry skin needs two things: ingredients that pull in water (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) and ingredients that seal it in and repair the barrier (ceramides, petrolatum, shea). The best budget moisturizers have both, and they skip fragrance.

Quick picks

1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Best for: very dry skin, face and body

The tub everyone’s bathroom seems to have. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid and a rich, fragrance-free texture. It’s great value in the big tub.

Check today’s price on CeraVe Moisturizing Cream →

2. Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

Best for: sensitive or eczema-prone skin

It’s free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin and parabens. If everything makes your skin angry, start here.

Check today’s price on Vanicream Moisturizing Cream →

3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel-Cream

Best for: skin that’s oily but still feels tight

A lightweight gel with hyaluronic acid. It’s hydrating without heaviness, and great under makeup.

Check today’s price on Neutrogena Hydro Boost →

4. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Best for: dry, sensitive faces that want a lighter texture

Ceramides, niacinamide and prebiotic thermal water. It was one of Amazon’s top 25 beauty products this year.

Check today’s price on La Roche-Posay Toleriane →

5. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Best for: rough, red, chapped patches

A thick whipped cream with colloidal oatmeal. It’s a cult favorite for flare-ups and works on body too.

Check today’s price on First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair →

6. Aquaphor Healing Ointment (the overnight seal)

Best for: locking everything in on your driest nights

Pat a thin layer over your moisturizer at night (“slugging”), or use it on cracked lips, knuckles and heels.

Check today’s price on Aquaphor →

The dry-skin routine

Morning: gentle cleanser → moisturizer on damp skin → sunscreen
Night: gentle cleanser → moisturizer → thin layer of Aquaphor on dry spots
Extras: lukewarm (not hot) showers, and a humidifier in the bedroom

FAQ

What’s the best moisturizer for very dry skin?
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Vanicream Moisturizing Cream are the go-to budget picks dermatologists recommend most.

Why is my skin still dry after moisturizing?
Apply moisturizer to slightly damp skin, and seal it with an occlusive like Aquaphor at night. Also check your cleanser. Harsh foaming washes strip moisture.

Can I use body cream on my face?
Fragrance-free ones like CeraVe and Vanicream are labeled for face and body, so yes.

Keep reading

• The Best Eye Creams on Amazon Under $25 (For Puffiness, Dark Circles and Dryness)
• Strawberry Legs and Bumpy Skin? 6 Amazon Body Exfoliators That Actually Smooth It
• Fall Beauty on a Budget: 7 Amazon Picks for Cozy-Season Makeup and Dry Skin
• Slugging With Vaseline: Why the $5 Jar Everyone’s Grandma Owns Is Suddenly Viral Again
• A Skin-Cycling Routine for Under $40

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