Dermatology experts recommended keeping a few ingredients in mind for drier skin types, especially humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which draw and seal in moisture to the skin, and emollients like ceramides and oils, which help repair the skin barrier. Each of our winning products contains some medley of the above and have also received gold stars from our testers, so they’re proven to provide long-lasting hydration both in theory and in practice. Here, we present the 2021 Healthy Beauty Awards skin-care picks for dry skin that will keep your face and body feeling great and looking dewier than ever. And if you want to learn more about skin care for dry skin, read our brand new comprehensive guide to skin care here.
Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Tatcha the Dewy Skin Cream
Tatcha is a repeat favorite on our Healthy Beauty Awards lists and their antioxidant-rich skin cream won over our panelists this year for its luxurious, whipped texture. All of our reviewers raved that this moisturizer is “luxury in a jar,” calling the texture “buttery” and flat out “in another league” from the competition, and added that the hydrating benefits last for hours. See the full ingredients list here.
Bonus Points, Per the Experts: This product contains a lot from the “good ingredients” column and also avoids most of the stuff from the “avoid this” list at the same time. It’s made without mineral oil, and is hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and synthetic fragrance-free. Plus it contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and dimethicone—all of which our dermatologist experts said to seek out.
Best Cleanser for Dry Skin: Naturally Serious Major Moisture Gentle Cream Cleanser
Cream cleansers have the derm stamp of approval for dry skin, and this one by Naturally Serious—enhanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin—does the work of cleansing your skin of dirt and oil without stripping skin of moisture or causing irritation. See the full ingredients list here.
Bonus Points, Per the Experts: This is a cream-based cleanser, which our derms suggested you look for (along with cleansers that are “milky” or “lotion-based”); plus it contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Best Mineral Sunscreen for Face, Dry Skin: Kopari Sundaze Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30
If you prefer to use a chemical-free sunscreen, this zinc oxide mineral option from Kopari has you covered. It uses hyaluronic acid to counteract the dry, cake-y texture of zinc oxide sunscreens, and reviewers loved the cute orange packaging. See the full ingredients list here.
Bonus Points, Per the Experts: This product uses zinc oxide and is a broad-spectrum SPF, which our derms suggested you look for. Plus it contains antioxidants and hyaluronic acid.
Best Chemical Sunscreen for Face, Dry Skin: Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30
Anyone with dry skin knows that using the wrong sunscreen layered under makeup can make your skin feel tight—or worse, can cause your makeup to cake or pill on top. Thankfully, this Dermalogica broad-spectrum sunscreen was formulated with dry skin types in mind, so it buffs into skin cleanly and provides a smooth surface that makes it easy to glide makeup over top. See the full ingredients list here.
Bonus Points, Per the Experts: This product is a broad-spectrum SPF, which our derms recommended you always look for. It’s also paraben-free, which they said to prioritize if possible
These are the best products to buy.
