As the weather gets colder and the central heating gets ramped up, moisturising rises to the very top of our skincare agendas. And of course, if you've got dry skin, then a good hydrating moisturiser is probably already the most important part of your skincare routine.
The thing is, not all moisturisers will cut it when you're up against a combination of dry skin, central heating, harsh winds and icy temperatures. In my experience—and having spent the winter testing and trying as many moisturisers I could get my hands on—the best hydrating moisturisers for dry skin are often the most basic ones. That's right, ignore the bells and whistles, leave the brightening and boosting to your serums, and look for the face creams that focus primarily on one thing and one thing only—hydration.
Dry skin develops when your skin loses water too quickly and becomes dehydrated—so to remedy this, it's important to not only add moisture back into skin, but to ensure that it's sealed in and can't escape. For this reason, dry skin will respond better to thick creams, which add hydration in via ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, but seal it in with the likes of squalane and ceramides.
What to Look For in Moisturisers For Dry Skin
As a general rule, when it comes to texture, the thicker the better. Rich cream and balm formulas will provide the nourishment that dry skin needs. In addition, look out for ingredients like ceramides, omegas, squalane and hyaluronic acid—proven hydrators that provide deep and lasting moisture.
It's also important to remember that you'll get the most out of your moisturiser if you're applying it to damp skin, so use a hydrating face mist and serum before applying your moisturiser.
What to Avoid in Moisturisers For Dry Skin?
Light, gel-textured moisturisers may not provide the level of hydration that dry skin needs. If a moisturiser absorbs too quickly this is a sign that your skin probably needs something richer and thicker.
The Best Hydrating Moisturisers For Dry Skin
- Best Overall: Rhode Barrier Butter, £36
- Best For Mature Skin: Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, £60
- Best Overnight Moisturiser: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment, £89
- Best For Under Makeup: Merit Great Skin Moisturiser, £34
- Best For Redness: Beauty Pie Happy Face Extreme Relief Moisture Cream, £17
1. Rhode Barrier Butter
Texture: Thick butter
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, murumuru butter, ceramides.
Best for: PM
My verdict: One of my pet peeves is when moisturisers claim to be rich and buttery but fail to live up to their credentials. Fortunately this one is exactly as described—deliciously thick and instantly soothing. Don't expect it to sink in quickly or be appropriate for daytime use, but do expect to wake up to softer, nourished skin in the morning.
Pros
- Provides intense hydration without feeling sticky
- Suitable for dry, acne-prone skin
Cons
- May not be ideal for oily skin types
2. Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
Texture: Cream
Key ingredients: Ceramides, lipids, NAGs, sasktatoon berry and dragonfruit extracts
Best for: AM and PM
My verdict: Who What Wear UK's beauty editor Eleanor Vousden tells me she has been reaching for this moisturiser during winter. "I trust anything from Medik8, but this night moisturiser has not only been a lifesaver during the colder months, but also as a sidekick to a retinoid treatment that can sometimes leave my skin on the dry side. This is like a hydrating blanket for your skin, packed with skin-restoring ceramides and lipids to leave skin feeling nourished upon waking up. It's not as heavy as some buttery formulas out there, which suits my breakout-prone skin too."
Pros
- Rich yet non-greasy texture
- Absorbs well and leaves skin plump and hydrated
- Subtle, calming scent
Cons
- Some reviewers report the product doesn't last long with twice daily use
- Expensive price point
3. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment
Texture: Thick gel balm
Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
Best for: PM
My verdict: When my skin is really dry and dehydrated, it looks flat and dull. Short of having a facial, this overnight cream is the next best thing for restoring life via a cocktail of potent hydrators. It's technically a mask, but it's been one of my go-tos through the winter—I often use it for days at a time.
Pros
- Enhances skin hydration and radiance
- Softens fine lines
- Leaves skin soothed and supple by morning
Cons
- Expensive price point
- May be too rich for some skin types
4. Merit Great Skin Moisturiser
Texture: Light buttery cream
Key ingredients: Oat, hyaluronic acid, squalane
Best for: AM
My verdict: If your skin craves a nourishing moisturiser but you don't like the feel of thick creams, you'll love this option. It's rich and buttery but lightweight in texture, so it melts into skin, leaving a smooth, soft canvas for flawless makeup application.
Pros
- Absorbs quickly
- Functions as an excellent makeup primer
- Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated
Cons
- Those with very dry skin may find it not moisturising enough for nighttime use
5. Beauty Pie Happy Face Extreme Relief Moisture Cream
Price shown is member price.
Texture: Rich cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, madecassoside, cica
Best for: PM
My verdict: The perfect moisturiser if the onset of dryness also brings with it a flare-up of redness or sensitivity—a common side effect for those with dry skin. As well as hydrating and nourishing, it works to soothe and calm simultaneously.
Pros
- Provides deep hydration
- Suitable for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin
- Helps calm redness and irritation
Cons
- Some may find the texture too thick
- May not be suitable for oily skin types
6. Glossier After Baume
Texture: Thick cream-balm
Key ingredients: Cupuaçu butter, microalgae extract, linoleic acid
Best for: PM
My verdict: This is one of my favourites to reach for when I feel that my skin needs an extra layer of moisture—it's ideal for applying to those areas most prone to dryness, such as around the nose and mouth.
Pros
- Rich, buttery texture
- Ideal for dry, chapped skin
- Acts as a protective barrier
Cons
- May feel too heavy for daytime use
- Not suitable for oily skin
7. The Inkey List Bioactive Ceramide Moisturiser
Texture: Thick cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, ceramides
Best for: AM and PM
My verdict: If you're prone to breakouts and acne flare-ups, then it's understandable that you might be hesitant to use a thick moisturiser. Fortunately, this one was specifically designed with acne-prone dry skin in mind. It’s ultra-hydrating, but won’t clog pores in the process.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Functions as a makeup primer
- Ideal for acne-prone skin
Cons
- May not absorb quickly for all skin types
8. Zelens Emulsion D Fortifying Moisturiser
Texture: Light cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, linoleic acid, ceramides, vitamin D, phytosterols
Best for: AM and PM
My verdict: As we age, our skin typically becomes more prone to dryness. This moisturiser contains phytosterols to soothe and reduce dryness, while vegetable lipids mimic your skin’s own lipids to fortify the skin barrier and prevent future moisture loss.
Pros
- Lightweight and cooling
- Suitable for both day and night use
Cons
- May not provide enough hydration for very dry skin
9. Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm
Texture: Rich cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, niacinamide, ceramides, allantoin, oat
Best for: PM
My verdict: To prevent dryness from occurring in the first place, this cream is focussed on strengthening the skin barrier in order to prevent moisture from escaping. It’s rich and creamy but also lightweight, so nourishes my skin without feeling heavy or greasy.
Pros
- Rich, nourishing balm
- Excellent for repairing skin barrier
- Suitable for dry and sensitive skin
Cons
- Expensive price point
- May be too heavy for daytime use
- Not suitable for oily skin
10. Skin Rocks The Rich Moisturiser
Texture: Thick cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, jojoba, oat, ceramides, squalane
Best for: AM and PM
My verdict: This moisturiser is a literal cocktail of dry skin-approved ingredients—literally every single one has its place and purpose. Despite being so potent, it’s surprisingly light in texture, but made a noticeable difference to my skin texture within just a few days of use. It also comes in a fragrance-free version if you're sensitive to scents.
Customer review: "This moisturiser is my favourite, especially in the colder months. It's thick and but light-weight on the skin when rubbing it in, it has a beautiful light lemony scent and gives a lovely glow. I have rosacea and my cheeks can sometimes be sensitive, but I have had no issues with this."
Pros
- Provides deep hydration
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- Expensive price point
11. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Ectoin-Infused Cream
Texture: Thick butter
Key ingredients: Glycerin, ectoin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
Best for: PM
My verdict: This is one of the thickest, most nourishing moisturisers I’ve ever used, so if you think you’ve tried every option for your dry skin, think again and try this. Its dense buttery texture cossets skin, immediately softening and soothing patches of dry, chapped skin.
Pros
- Helps protect skin barrier
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some users may find it too heavy
12. Byoma Moisturising Rich Cream
Texture: Rich cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, ectoin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
Best for: AM
My verdict: This was one of the best affordable options I tried this winter, so ideal if you prefer (or need) to be liberal with your face cream application. It contains an impressive lineup of ultra-nourishing ingredients to replenish moisture levels in even the driest skin.
Pros
- Gentle and hydrating
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Doesn't last very long
13. Alpha-H Firming Collagen Repair Cream
Texture: Rich cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, ceramides, collagen amino acids, shea butter, vitamin E
Best for: PM
My verdict: One of the more recent launches I tested, this rich cream is a real treat for dry skin, and I can already see it being a staple in my routine this coming winter. The ingredients list is a particularly impressive lineup of nourishing and soothing ingredients, including three types of ceramides.
Pros
- Helps firm and plump skin
- Ideal for mature skin
Cons
- Expensive price point
How We Tested
Over the past year, I personally tested a wide range of hydrating moisturisers designed for dry skin, applying each morning and evening to assess both immediate and long-term results. I focused on texture, absorption, and lasting hydration, paying attention to how my skin felt throughout the day and night. I also monitored how each product reacted under different conditions, from cold, dry winters to warmer, drier environments. Ingredients, scent, and ease of layering under makeup were all considered, as well as any irritation or breakouts. This hands-on approach allowed me to evaluate which formulas genuinely nourished and restored my dry, dehydrated skin.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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