11 best products for dry skin to add to your winter routine: Review
As we welcome winter, we also welcome dry skin.
Though some may experience dull and cracked skin all year round (myself included), there hasn’t been a better time to invest in a new skincare routine.
I’ve been testing the best products for dry skin for more than 4 years, pumping and dolloping the best niacinamide serums and night creams on repeat. What I learned is as simple as this: not all products are made equally, though some have been absolute miracles for my flaky, quenched skin.
Essentially, I’ve put nearly every top brand from Alpyn Beauty to Drunk Elephant a calendar-driven cycle, many thanks due to my color-coded Google Calendars and notes app.
I’ve had dry skin for as long as I can remember (really, it’s combination, but the dry factor takes prominence 99% of the time). Rest assured that I know these products like the back of my hand, and the best products for dry skin below are all worth it for different reasons.
Yes, yes, I know — skincare can be pricey at times. But hey, even if you want to start with a quality cleanser and a cloud-like moisturizer, your skin will still thank you.
Some of the best ones include hyaluronic acid, while others include retinol. Noteworthy favorites are of every variety, too, from toners and eye creams to vitamin C serums and under-eye patches.
Below, find the best skincare products for dry skin I reviewed throughout the years. They sure made my skin bounce and glow — and have since erased the itchy, thirsty skin I used to have.
Pros:
- Amazing for dry and sensitive skin alike
- Cream-to-foam consistency allows it to have the feel of a moisturizer while washing away impurities all the while
- Budget-friendly, so appeals to a variety of shoppers
After testing the Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser for two years straight, it’s always the formulation I return to when I desire a trusty and nourishing face wash. The best part? It’s budget-friendly, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. So, instead of being solely geared toward dry skin, it’s just as phenomenal on my sensitive skin.
More than 5,000 shoppers purchased it in the past month on Amazon alone, though this rockstar cleanser is available elsewhere, too. Because of its cream-to-foam feel, I always notice it effectively washes away impurities but then lathers beautifully onto the skin. It’s like using a cleanser-moisturizer hybrid. Plus, it hails from a dermatologist-loved brand.
Key ingredients: Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Prebiotic Aloe | Size:16 fluid ounces
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
Pros:
- Incredibly hydrating for dry, flaky skin
- Hyaluronic acid works in tandem with ceramides to help improve skin barrier function
- Hygienic, travel-friendly packaging to help eliminate bacteria entering its bottle
Cons:
- On the pricier side compared to some other hyaluronic acid serums
- Isn’t 100% fragrance-free, which may irritate those with severely sensitive skin
The Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum is an incredibly moisturizing, humectant-forward serum that wears many hats in its formulation. This is seriously a rockstar serum that has a cream-like finish while remaining lightweight and buildable.
Whenever I use it, it minimizes the look of fine lines, helps reverse and alleviate the impact of my dry, flaky skin and essentially floods my skin with nourishment. It’s the crème de la crème of hyaluronic acid serums (get it, cream) and does a phenomenal job at reversing any dullness evident on my face.
Leave it to me — I’ve reviewed all of Drunk Elephant and the brand goes beyond its photo-worthy matte white lotions and potions with a fun, neon cap. The magic is what lies inside and, in this case, it’s hydration.
Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum is packed with pineapple ceramides and provitamin B5, the latter an additional humectant that helps improve skin barrier function. And, don’t let the fruity notes in the ingredients worry you if your skin is sensitive; it holds virtually zero fragrance, makes my cheeks appear bouncier and allows even my driest patches surrounding my jawline and ears to remain at bay.
Another great hyaluronic acid serum fit for dry skin that Post Wanted reviewed is the Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Pineapple ceramide, Provitamin B5 | Size: 1.69 ounces
Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin: CeraVe Skin-Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Pros:
- Dermatologist-approved skincare brand
- Boasts a fresh scent
- Brightens problem areas and hydrates the skin
Oh, CeraVe, how I love you so. I’ve been using the brand’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($13) for years and wasn’t surprised at the slightest when its Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum was one of the ones to come up on top. Notably, its fresh scent just makes you want to use it every day.
It effectively brightened and nourished my skin. It hydrates where it’s supposed to and has a moisturizer-like effect. For less than $40, you can’t go wrong.
Key Ingredients: 10% L-ascorbic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid | Size: 1 fluid ounce
Pros:
- Excellent on sensitive skin, in addition to dry skin
- Helps balance out skin texture
- Leaves a natural-looking glow that’s not too dewy
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
I can sing praises for days about the Alpyn Beauty Wild Nettle & Niacinamide Firming Serum — and I will. It’s truly worth the beauty splurge, helping to minimize the look of my pores and texture in addition to treating my dry skin.
I’ve tested hundreds of skincare products and this serum is one of the most gentle on my skin. I love its dispenser that is both travel-friendly and simple to target exactly where I’d like the formula to be dropped. Additionally, it never breaks me out and works phenomenally with the brand’s Super Peptide & Ghostberry Barrier Repair Cream ($62), one of the best face moisturizers for dry skin I reviewed.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide | Size: 1 fluid ounce
Best Anti-Aging Serum for Dry Skin: Herbivore Botanicals Moon Fruit 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum
Pros:
- Lovely for dry skin
- No strong fragrance
- Creamy and nourishing
Cons:
- Absorbs well but doesn’t absorb as quickly, likely because it acts more like a moisturizer
The Herbivore MOON FRUIT 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum offers a plumping effect like no other. It’s decadently creamy without being too heavy and I love how it absorbs well into the skin.
If you have sensitive skin like me, bakuchiol is one of the best ingredients to mimic retinol without its high potency. With the addition of peptides, this serum always hydrates, and I know that it’s helping with fine lines and aging prevention in the long haul.
It’s ideal if you’re experiencing dull or dry skin because of its consistency and how it applies. There’s no strong fragrance, no irritation and no disappointment, too. For a lovely follow-up, the brand’s Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask ($45) for the ideal self-care night.
Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, Peptides | Size: 1 fluid ounce
When it’s CHANEL, you know it’s going to feel luxurious. When I first twisted off the glossy black lid from the Hydra Beauty Micro Crème Yeux, I sensed I was in for a treat — and I was right.
I was most impressed by its whipped consistency. This eye cream felt ultra-nourishing and refreshing and — drumroll please — it contains minor gel beads that melt into your skin. Truly, it was a recipe for dry skin, to say the least.
Specifically, CHANEL topped off its eye cream with patented MicroFluidic Technology, of which encapsulates the power of white camellia extract within thousands of those micro-droplets. As a result, my eyes felt less dull and exceptionally more hydrated.
Best Night Cream for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides
Pros:
- Well-made, concealed packaging that helps prevent bacteria from entering
- Absorbs easily into the skin and isn’t too lightweight, nor too heavy
- Boasts a triple-ceramide blend that helps balance and soothe the skin
Cons:
- Some customers complain about its thickness
Drunk Elephant has a cult following (just ask any Sephora employee, and read my full brand review for more) and its Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides not only has one of those cool push-down dispensers where the product perfectly comes out but it also made my skin look like a radiant Barbie — without the porcelain shine, of course.
I can confidently say that if someone broke into my bathroom and stole this cute pastel container, I would pay $60 for another one. It’s just that hydrating on dry skin, though versatile enough to work on other skin types.
Key Ingredients: Triple-Ceramide Blend, African-Oil Blend, Plant-Derived Peptides | Size: 1.69 fluid ounces
Pros:
- Multi-purpose in that it hydrates, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and eliminates dull skin
- Wonderful absorption
- Brighten the skin
Cons:
- A little pricey
- Those with oily skin may find this formula too greasy in texture
Unlike any other dry skin moisturizer I’ve used, the SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry Nighttime Skin-Refining Moisturizer is an effective solution at targeting dry skin and smoothing out lines and imperfections on the skin. It doesn’t feel as creamy as you’d think, either; its firm feel dissolves beautifully onto my fingertips whenever I use it and quenches my skin’s thirst every time.
Aside from working overtime on fine lines, it also noticeably decreases the pores near the apples of my cheeks and on my nose. In addition, I notice my skin looking more replenished and a bit brighter, though you won’t find vitamin C here. It’s ideal for helping with dull, dry skin.
With consistent application, this multi-use cream will become one of your favorites, especially when layered over the brand’s sensational C E Ferulic Serum ($162). Trust me on this one.
Key ingredients: Hydroxy Acid Blend, Aloe | Size: 2 ounces
Pros:
- Leaves a smoother complexion overnight
- Contains bakuchiol, which is a sensitive skin-friendly retinol alternative
- Blends well, with a luxurious appeal
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
Simply put, the Beekman 1802 Midnight Milk Better Aging Sleep Cream is unlike any othe face cream I’ve used. I’ll never forget the first time I used it. Essentially, it was the catalyst for smooth, baby-soft skin.
Ever since, I’ve been using it whenever my dry skin needs a little more love. It never disappoints either, and is the ideal overnight night cream-face mask hybrid with a keen focus on anti-aging. It’s such a standout that it’s easily accessible in the first drawer of my bathroom vanity. Seriously, I can’t have it too far away from me.
Despite being deeply hydrating, it’s incredibly lightweight and buildable, blending well onto my skin. It’s not just an of-the-moment product I’ve been loving — it’s a mainstay in my routine.
Key ingredients: Melatonin, Bakuchiol | Size: 2.13 ounces
Pros:
- Cosmetically elegant on the skin
- One of the most hydrating formulations tested
- Comes out a pastel green but then changes to a light blue and finally to a translucent
Cons:
- Consistency doesn’t blend as quickly but once it does, it feels incredibly lightweight and like second skin
- The clear cover could have been more well-made (it tends to fall off when brushed up against something in a drawer or travel bag)
From the makers of the almighty Mighty Patch ($13) comes an incredibly hydrating facial sunscreen your dry skin will thank you for. The Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is, in fact, my hero — and it’s only $20.
Aside from wearing your favorite skincare product once applied, it’s one of the most hydrating formulations I tested. Hence, it’s Post-given award for dry skin. When pumped out, it comes out a pastel green but then changes to a light blue and finally to translucent which, aside from being cool, also hydrates my skin at the same time.
Its consistency doesn’t blend as quickly but once it does, it feels incredibly lightweight and like second skin. I wish the clear cover on the packaging was made better, though. Of course, it’s what’s inside that counts, but it’s not the best for traveling with as it tends to come off.
Key ingredients: Zinc Oxide | Size: 1.7 ounces
Best Korean Skincare for Dry Skin: COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Essence
Pros:
- Offers a glass skin effect instantaneously
- Impressive on dry skin types
- Excellent value for the money
Cons:
- May be too goopy and watery for some, though it’s buildable
The COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence is the real deal. If you’ve heard of only one product from the brand, it’s likely this one. This was the first product I ever tried from years ago but, when I picked it up recently, it was just like old times.
This product is some kind of miracle in a bottle, and I don’t say that lightly. If there’s anything you pick up from this list, let it be this product. It’s the ideal serum to dab on after your cleanser and the most direct-hitting glass skin product I’ve tried from the brand at large.
Following my COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, I apply one to two pumps and blend it throughout my face, as you would a moisturizer. I focus extra on the apples of my cheeks and the tip of my nose — the areas where pores tend to be more noticeable on my skin. I use the product twice daily.
Key ingredients: Snail Mucin | Size: 3.38 ounces
An FAQ on Dry Skin
What is the best skin care routine for dry skin?
A skincare routine for dry skin should not only hydrate the skin, but prep it to actually receive new moisture while also protecting it from any further moisture loss, which can lead to eczema. Here’s a basic routine you can follow:
Gentle Cleanser: Use a mild, hydrating cleanser that doesn’t strip away natural oils. Look for ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
Exfoliation (1-2 times a week): Use a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin cells. This helps other products penetrate better. Look for products with ingredients like lactic acid or glycolic acid. Contrary to popular belief, these are more effective (and less irritating!) than harsh scrubs.
Hydrating Toner: Apply a hydrating toner to balance your skin’s pH and prepare it to absorb the next products. Toners with ingredients like rose water or chamomile can be soothing.
Serum: Use a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or vitamin E. Serums with antioxidants can also help combat dryness.
Moisturizer: Choose a rich, emollient moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration. Look for ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, or other fatty acids. Consider using a thicker cream at night for added moisture.
Sunscreen (morning routine): Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from UV damage. Sunscreen is crucial for preventing further dryness and maintaining overall skin health.
Occasional Mask or Treatment: Use a hydrating mask or treatment to give your skin an extra boost of moisture. Ingredients like aloe vera, honey, or oatmeal can be beneficial as they’re soothing on dry, sometimes itchy skin.
Humidifier: Consider using a humidifier in your living space, especially during the winter months. This helps add moisture to the air and prevents your skin from drying out.
Remember to patch-test new products, introduce one product at a time, and listen to your skin’s needs. Additionally, staying hydrated by drinking enough water can contribute to overall skin health.
What type of product is best for dry skin?
While moisturizer might seem the most obvious choice here, it may not be the missing link for your dry skin. Take your symptoms into consideration. If your skin feels tight after washing, ingredients that impart hydration like hyaluronic acid will give you the most immediate relief, and those are often found in serums.
If you’re only really dry in the wintertime, consider a highly emollient barrier cream as your best friend throughout the season, as it’ll protect the moisture that does exist in your skin and is often depleted by the weather. If you tend to flake, exfoliation is key — but don’t overdo it. An AHA-lead exfoliant used a couple times a week is more than enough and will not only smooth your skin but prep it to receive your other hydrating products.
What is your body lacking when you have dry skin?
It’s important to understand that having dry skin can be due to genetic factors, though if you have this skin type, you may be lacking certain vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, D and E.
Which skincare brand is best for dry skin?
Most skincare brands have products that cater to dry skin, but it’s important to label-check for ingredient hierarchy and keep your own skin’s preferences in mind. Don’t reinvent the wheel here — use what you already know works for yourself and stick to it for the best results.
CeraVe is often recommended by dermatologists and is known for its hydrating cleansers, moisturizing creams, and lotions. The products typically contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and other ingredients that help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. Korres, a Greek skincare brand known for utilizing natural ingredients, has products like the Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream, formulated to provide deep hydration to dry skin by way of Greek yoghurt and hyaluronic acid.
Alpyn Beauty is known for incorporating wildcrafted botanicals from the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming (where, yes, they know winter skin well). Their PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm and Cream, for example, includes ingredients like bakuchiol and squalane to hydrate and address fine lines. Aveeno is recognized for incorporating oat-based ingredients in its products. The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, for example, contains colloidal oatmeal, which is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, making it awesome for dry and sensitive skin.
Drunk Elephant is a clean skincare brand that avoids the “Suspicious 6” ingredients. The Lala Retro Whipped Cream is one of their moisturizers that includes a blend of six African oils, plantain extract, and ceramides to nourish and hydrate the skin.
Listen, there are a lot out there. But we put a ton of them through the wringer to find the best of the best, and these are among our favorites. Read on for more of our picks of the best skincare brands and products for dry skin, from washes to hydrators and lip care.
How I tested
After reviewing skincare products for more than 4 years, here’s the testing criteria I kept in mind for each formulation:
- Efficacy: I made sure to note which, if any, made a difference to the quality and overall appearance of my skin, keeping in mind the versatility for other skin types as well.
- Skin sensitivity: Some dry skin products are thick and tend to be packed with ingredients that may not mesh well with certain skin types. To test, I did a patch test for each formula and made note of any irritation or flare-ups.
- Value: Of course, not all dry skin products are created equal. With varying price tags, I *really* assessed each formulation’s quality to make note of which are worth the hype.
This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest and greatest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include reviewing the viral Korean beauty brand, Cosrx, and testing dermatologist-recommended acne cleansers. Victoria has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
