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The Hit List: Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin
What’s the Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin…?
What brand/product wins this category? Any particular reason it wins?
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Palmer’s Cocoa Butter with Spf, it’s thick, smells great, and non greasy.
anything by H20+ or Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer
Personally for me, I love Dove’s Day Lotion because it’s cheap, super light, and it doesn’t clog my pores :))
Since I work for HydroPeptide I’m biased, but HydroPeptide did win 4 beauty awards in 2009!
HydroPeptide Moisturize Anti-Wrinkle Skin Firming Hydrator:
* Peptides that restore maximum moisture, hydration and nourishment deep within the skin.
* Visibly minimizes skin imperfections including new and old stretch marks and scars within 8 weeks and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite.
http://hydropeptide.com/
So far, I have found that Eucerin Q10 anti-wrinkle cream for sensitive skin is the best for my dry skin for nighttime use. During the day, I need something lighter but still moisturizing, so I use Estee Lauder Hydrationist cream and that has been working very well.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturize Lotion is a good daily moisturizer for dry skin. In the winter, I slather on Clinique Moisture Surge after applying DDML and I have no dry flaky patches just dewey, healthy looking skin.
Its funny, because i’m a DDMG user in the summer months because i’m mostly oily in the tzone and normal elsewhere. However in the winter I am a Moisture Surge nut, slathering it on morning and night. Your post made me want to try DDML because I never have and I’ve been a long time Clinique user!
Although I don’t have dry skin myself, I find that on those occasions where the weather is harsh on my skin and makes it somewhat dry, Clinique’s “dramatically different moisturizing lotion” works amazingly well. It never fails me, nor break me out.
Pond’s works great.. a drugstore brand.. the one with the blue cap OR lush’s imperalis 🙂
OH no. I have to disagree with this. Pond’s is too moisture rich that it can break out dry skin. I have never had acne until I tried this product. I do not recommend this at all.
I think Olay’s moisturizer is better.
I agree, Pond’s is much too rich for me.
If I use it both morning and light it actually makes me oily on the forehead, something no other moisturizer has ever done!
raspberry oil with hialuronic acid. 🙂
I really love The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Intense Moisturizer! You only need a little bit and as soon as you apply it you really do feel less dry! Plus it’s only $20 – I think $18 if you have the ‘love your body’ card and lots of times The Body Shop has sales – right now they have the buy 2 get 1 free on skin care – so yea I totally stocked up!!!
La Mer creams are THE BOMB! but they are just sooo expensive so i usually now use Korres wild rose moisturizer…it is a tad light feeling on my face and in my pocket!
Right now I have ‘Hydrazen’ from Lancome and another from MAC. I’m intersted to knoe ehat others use since I have only tried these 2.
The brand that never fails when it comes to dry skin is Olay. I use the hydrating beauty fluid for my face and the quench body lotion.
Artistry Moisture Plus, it has leave me with nothing but amazing results! My face feel clean, fresh and moist all day long! Love it!
I have tried the Embryolisse moisturizer after seeing pixiwoo using it and though my skin is normal i think it would be great for dry skins cause its thick and nice.The only downside is that i have to order it from France (i’m in Greece) and it adds to the cost.But its a nice amount of product and lasts a long time.
Yes!!! My teacher in make up school swore by this stuff!
Cetaphil
I don’t have dry skin, though I do get the occasional patch in the winter.
For my sensitive, slightly oily skin, I swear by REN Boswellia serrata night cream.
I use it over patches, during the day as well, but that’s the one thing I’ve found that can SERIOUSLY moisturize, without really clogging. Even Cetaphil breaks me out when I use it on patches.
Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Moisture Gel Cream. Amazinggg (: smells light and a little like pomegranite, and absorbs quickly
Or, Academie Acad’aromes Purifying Cream
NARS Potent EFA Cream. Soooo luxurious.
creme de la mer!
Clinique Moisture Surge! The only moisturizer I’ve ever finished and re-purchased!
Eucerin Q10 Anti Wrinkle is the best cream for me day and night. For extra moisture boost I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil too.
For face – LaMer or Olay depending on my budget… for body, good old fashioned Lubriderm!
I actually asked you, Christine, in your last ask anything about a great moisturizer for super dry skin. Well…I have found it, ladies! Clinique’s Youth Surge for dry skin. It is AMAZING. It is thick and creamy, yet doesn’t clog up my pores like so many do.
Also, when I was there, I was going to pick up the Dramatically Different Moisturizer and the MA told me that that was NOT a moisturizer, but that people thought it was. She said it was only to put back a few oils taken out in the 3 step skin care system, but shouldn’t be used as a moisturizer alone. Never knew!
The DDML is a great base moisturizer because it draws everything else you put on top of it like a sponge. The DDML and DDMG both restores the oil/water balance in your skin but they work better when you layer something else on top of it (ie: Moisture Surge, which I’m addicted to, or another treatment moisturizer like Youth Surge or Superdefense).
wow, now it makes sense to me, because it never wowed me when i used it. lol….oops.
me either! i just kept reapply & thought it was crap! now i know! thanks.
Chanel hydramax felt really nice on my skin! Ocasionally when my dry skin does not want to cooperate, I just put olive oil on a cotton pad and pat it into my skin. For night I also use nivea baby sometimes, simple and no parabens. And everyday I use Embryolisse. I want to dtry embryolisse for dry skin too.
For the face–Mario Badescu’s honey moisturizer. It doesn’t break me out and it’s not oily at all!
For the body–DEFINITELY anything from Olay!
JASON’s 25000 ieu moisturizer is DOPE!
Moisture Surge by Clinique. I usually have oily skin and in da winter time I got so dry from my daily clarisonic use but this moisturer cured all dryness! and Now i have my normal skin bak and i can use my clarisonic again 🙂
LUSH Celestial moisturizer
its also great for sensitive skin
i use Clinique’s DDML, MAC moisturelush, Cetaphil, Ponds, Lush Skin Drink (way too heavy)etc. & nothing worked for me i think this is perfect for dry skin & its great to wear under makeup
The Body Shop Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream
St Ives extreme moisturizing lotion
I am on Accutane and the only moisturizer I have found that calms my sahara-like skin is Ole Henriksen’s Nuture Me, it’s a gel like formula that smeels somewhat orange-y. It’s ~$40, but lasts several months. I purchased it at Sephora and I’m very happy with it.
I base my moisturizer criteria on its ability to deeply hydrate without leaving a greasy film on the face. My picks are Chanel Hydramax and Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream.
at your suggestion, christine, i picked up origins make a difference ultra rich rejuvenating cream this winter and it’s been wonderful! i also use the cetaphil cream (not the lotion) and both are great, particularly for cold, dry weather.
YAY!!
I am drier than dry,so I use Cera Ve PM/ Pond’s Dry Skin Cream(white jar with blue lid)at night,but during the day I use EL Daywear Plus moisturizer under my Daywear Plus tinted moisturizer
i have super dry skin and i love kiehls ultra facial cream. its wonderful.
For my body, I love Bath & Body Works body cream (in a tube).
For my face, I really like MAC’s Moisturelush cream and I use it year-round. I have also thought of trying Lightful Deep Ultramoisture cream.
Does anyone know how they compare?
Kinerase is perfection for sensitive & dry skin.
I have extremely dry skin due to eczema… been dealing with it since I was little. Now that I don’t have health insurance and can’t pick up my Rx ointments I’ve been trying to find moisturizers to help. So far I’ve found that Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream works really well, in addition to Aveeno active naturals in intense relief or skin relief. Though I’m still searching for my HG moisturizer….
For my lips and the skin around my lips I find that Aquaphor ointment works really well. surprisingly vasaline dried me out, but aquaphor worked wonders.
i am currently trying out Clarins Multi Active Early correction cream I think it’s my HG moisturizer for dry skin. But we’ll see. I love the serum that compliments it too so it might might be the winner!
Ponds dry skin cream:
i’ve tried everything, (Clinique Dramatically Different, Olay face lotion, st. ive’s face lotion, etc.) and not a lot works for me because i get dry patches every so often (yes, i exfoliate) so the Ponds seems to be doing pretty good lately, it’s a nice thicker cream which i think i need (but i still get them damn dry spots)…… =\
For the body, Lush’s Dream Cream is unbeatable.
I have really dry skin on my body but my face is combo on the oily side so I can’t really rec a heavy-duty face moisturizer necessarily, but I’ve had fantastic luck with jojoba oil + olive squalane being extremely moisturizing and balancing at the same time. If I have extra flakes (usually from healing blemishes) a teensy dot of pure vit. e oil is amazing.
LUSH Celestial! Super thick and keeps my skin feeling great all day.
Origins MAD cream (Make A Diffrence) is best for my dried face
Kiehl’s Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream! I don’t know why this doesn’t get more blog love; I guess people just don’t know about it. But it’s gorgeous, so smooth and gentle. I have normal skin with occasional dry patches and this just keeps everything silky and even. For more of a super-rich barrier cream, I like Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream, especially in cold weather.
LUSH Skin Drink or Skins Shangri La! 🙂
I love moisturizers from clinique and L’occitane, both non greasy and feels awesome, with great results!!!
Embryolisse!
You are so right! Embryolisse is perfection.
I like Creme de la Mer for extreme dry skin (which I get in the winter, here in Northern New England). It is pricey, but it is the only thing that works for me. I’m 55 and have dry skin in the summer, when there’s humidity in the air!
I absolutely LOVE Dermalogica’s Skin Smoothing Cream, it is amazing. Makes my skin so super soft 🙂
There’s a couple that I can always depend on when my skin get a bit dry…Chanel Eclat Comfort Cream and La Mer
VANICREAM. its only $15 for a whole pound, it has no parabens, lanolin, fragrance, dyes, is non-comedogenic, and is the only thing i use for my sensitive, SEVERELY dry, eczema-plagued skin
Dr. Hauschka and Living Nature products are amazing (and all natural/organic). Since I’ve switched to these organic products, my combo skin has become a lot more stabilized. Also, all natural rosehip oil is a fantastic moisturizer and anti-aging.
I agree, rosehip oil is amazing.
Avene cream for intolerant skin in rich formula, I use it over their thermal water spray, it’s my HG moisturizer.
I use Avene Antirougeurs Creme Riche, it is amazing, i get dry, flaky skin, and sometimes i get some red areas and this takes care of both. I also use 8 hour cream, sometimes, but i find the Avene better for everday
MAC moisturelush cream
Since I started the routine of washing my face with Jojoba oil (I know, I know… it’s oil!) my skin has stopped breaking out and, at age 45, it is finally soft and moist. After washing the oil off, I use 1 small squirt of Cetaphil lotion with a couple of drops more of the Jojoba oil and my face is fabulous.
The populist choice: Olive oil. In the morning, wash face and pat to absorb moisture. Let air dry, then slather on some olive oil and let it sink in. Take a shower and do not rinse the olive oil from your face. Continue with normal moisturizing routine.
This completely saved my skin this winter. My skin was so dry that the corners of my eyelids were almost ripping. This routine takes time, but it is worth it.
I can also highly recommend: Weleda Wild Rose night cream, REN Rose Synergy O12 Serum (and, going up in price), Chanel Sublimage and above all 3Lab WW cream.
I own La Mer, but La Mer is more a barrier cream for me and not an especially moisturizing one. It does work very well to fade discolorations and to minimize pores, and in the summer the La Mer lotion creates absolutely poreless skin.
My routine this winter has been the olive oil treatment, followed in the daytime by Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Energizing Cream. At night, I break out the heavier-duty products. Weleda is a gem of a product and holds its own against the far pricier creams. WW Cream and Sublimage both have tremendous softening properties not found in the others, or to a greater degree.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A couple drops of this, rubbed into hands and patted gently wherever needed, including my face. It is AMAZING!
cetaphil moisturising lotion.
ive used and gone through so many and nothing beats this
keeps my skin hydrated all day its very light and is water based
LOVE IT
i recommend it
My oldie but goodie face/neck moisturizer is Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. For my body I’ve started using Avon Moisture Therapy Pro Vitamin Complex. It won’t leave my skin until I wash it off in the shower.
I also found some great tips for reliving dry skin in cold climates from this post http://thebeautygirl.com/?p=2049 at The Beauty Girl.
Aesop – Carmelia Nut Hydration Cream. This Australian brand heavy duty moisturizer absorbs fast, and is not greasy at all while still doing its job.
When I went back to Australia over winter (their hot, dry summer) my skin started playing up and I developed ridiculous dry patches on my cheeks near my eyes. I had a little tube of Hope In A Jar I got from Sephora with me to tide me over my holiday, thinking it’ll be enough before I stocked up on my homegrown favourite. (Aesop is not widely available in the U.S. You can find it at Barneys and J Crew Men’s stores, but it’s still cheaper when I go home). My skin remained gross, so I had to go get my large jar of the Carmelia Nut cream. It only took two nights of hard hitting recoup sessions of spot moisturizing, letting it absorb, waiting 10 minutes then applying again before my skin was back to normal. My skin is highly sensitive and this does not bother it at all, even in an area so close to my eyes.
I know everyone’s skin is different, and this is not easy to get a hold of, but it’s relatively affordable (as far as high-end moisturizers go.)
It is $43.50 at Barney’s for a 2.01oz jar. The larger sized jar is not yet available here unfortunately. But if you have problem skin, it’s definitely worth a try.
I love Dermalogica’s Active Moist. It moisturizes the dry areas, and also helps oilyness. My skin has been so much more even toned and I’m not so oily! I love Dermalogica!!
I agree, Dermalogica Active Moist is THE BEST, However, I think this may be clogging my pores. I love all of Dermalogica’s products, the masks are remarkable
Cerave for sure (my derm told me about it!).