Sensitive skin is never fun, and when you’re battling a combination of redness, irritation, itching and inflammation, sometimes the last thing you want to do is apply more products to your face. Once a flare-up starts, the first thing you should do is strip your skincare routine back to the basics of cleansing and moisturising. Next, try to identify the cause of your dry skin and sensitivity before focusing on soothing and repairing your skin with suitable products.
Below, we spoke to dermatologist Zainab Laftah to find out what to look for in a moisturiser for dry skin that is also senstive, followed by our list of the best dry, sensitive skin moisturisers out there right now.
What Do Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin Do?
Gentle cleansers, cooling face mists and calming serums with ingredients like cica and niacinamide will help to reduce sensitivity and redness, but actually, a good moisturiser can make the biggest difference to dry skin.
According to Laftah, if you have dry and sensitive skin, regular hydration is crucially important. "This will optimise the skin’s barrier function and reduce the risk of skin inflammation and sensitivity,” she explains.
When you’re super sensitive, it usually means your skin’s barrier has become compromised, which means it’s much more sensitive to things like external aggressors or active ingredients. This is why moisturising is so important for sensitive skin types—by restoring and repairing your skin barrier through gently moisturising ingredients, you can help to improve your skin’s resilience.
How to Choose the Best Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin
It’s important to keep in mind that it has to be the right moisturiser to actually soothe and calm sensitive skin—the last thing you want to do is cause more irritation. Avoid formulas that have large amounts of fragrance, essential oils and chemical exfoliants like glycolic or mandelic acids.
"Chemical exfoliants can reduce the oil content and the outer dead skin cell layer, which may affect the barrier function,” explains Laftah. "Therefore, these should be avoided when the skin is inflamed.” Instead, she recommends looking out for humectants like glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which increase skin hydration by drawing moisture from the environment into skin. "To optimise the skin barrier function further, add in an occlusive, for example, shea butter, to help lock in this moisture,” she adds. "My top tip is initially applying a hydrating mist before the moisturiser to help improve absorption.”
How We Tested
You can be sure that every moisturiser in this list has been thoroughly tested for at least four weeks by an experienced beauty editor. We evaluate every moisturiser on its efficacy primarily, but we also take into consideration the sensorial experience of using them, and the finish that they leave on the skin.
We also consider the price, size of the product, and value for money that it offers. We use a full-360 approach when evaluating skincare products.
Best Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin 2025
- Best for Very Sensitive Skin: Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream (£72)
- Best for Inflamed Skin: Dr Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream (£40)
- Best for Hydration: Dermalogica Calm Water Gel (£55)
- Best Rich Moisturiser: Skin + Me Rich Moisturiser for Dry to Normal Skin (£22)
- Best Budget Moisturiser: CeraVe Moisturisng Cream (£7)
1. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Kiehl's famous Ultra Facial Cream is a tried-and-tested favourite of mine when I notice my skin starting to feel a little sensitive. Formulated with glycerin and squalane, it helps to restore the skin's barrier and boost moisture levels without feeling overly heavy or rich.
Pros
- Very cooling
- Lightweight texture
Cons
- Basic, no frills
2. Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream
Packed with calming ingredients like ginger root and ceramides, Kate Somerville's DeliKate collection is all about calming stressed complexions. This cream is thick and dense in texture, so it provides instant nourishment—an excellent choice for skin that's feeling dry as well as tight and sensitised.
Pros
- Helps with barrier repair
- Luxurious texture
Cons
- A pricey option
3. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser
If you prefer a light, gel-textured moisturiser, but still want to pack in the hydrating ingredients, this cooling cream successfully manages to do both. The fresh, water-based formula absorbs quickly and is packed with hyaluronic acid, which works for up to 48 hours after application to draw moisture into the skin.
Pros
- Feels refreshing and quenching
- Balances sebum levels
Cons
- Mint leaf extract could be irritating for extremely sensitive skin
4. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
This intensive repair cream is designed for those with a compromised skin barrier, so is great for sensitive skin as its focus is on fortifying that skin barrier as well as moisturising dry skin. It contains centella asiatica, which is great at soothing the skin, as well as calming redness and inflammation.
Pros
- Also contains plumping peptides
- Instant relief from irritation and redness
Cons
- There are more affordable options
5. Dermalogica Calm Water Gel
Ideal for when you really don't want to put anything on your face (but know you have to), this weightless watery gel will soothe signs of sensitivity, reducing any uncomfortable itching or stinging sensations. It contains aloe vera (known for its calming properties) as well as hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Pros
- Very hydrating and cooling
- Protects skin against environmental damage
Cons
- There are better more affordable gel moisturisers in the list
6. Typology 9 Ingredient Face Moisturiser
With just nine ingredients to its formula, this basic (in a good way) moisturiser focuses solely on the essentials. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin and coconut oil help to draw moisture into the skin and prevent it from escaping, while sodium hydroxide balances the pH of the formula to make it as similar as possible to the pH of the skin.
Pros
- 99% naturally derived ingredients
- Rich but non-greasy
Cons
- No preservatives, so shelf life is reduced
7. Skin + Me Rich Moisturiser for Dry to Normal Skin
If you're a fan of using retinoids, you're probably well aware of their side effects—increased sensitivity and dryness. Once you notice this occurring, it's important to ramp things up on the moisture front. This moisturiser makes the perfect counterpart, reducing the chance of irritation with its deeply moisturising blend of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter.
Pros
- Good occlusive
- 91% say skin feels healthier after 1 week
Cons
- Might be too rich for some
8. CeraVe Moisturising Cream
If your sensitivity is also accompanied by extreme dryness, don't worry—this is super common, and indicates that the cause is a damaged skin barrier. Although this may sound alarming, it's a fairly simple fix, and this rich ceramide-packed cream from CeraVe will be just the ticket.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Non-greasy
Cons
- None. What have you got to lose?
9. Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
This moisturiser is my go-to during the winter months, which is the one time of year when sensitivity and dryness flare up in my (usually) oily and breakout-prone skin. Although the texture is thick and dense, this creamy moisturiser never causes issues in terms of breakouts or clogged pores. Instead, it soothes, calms, and restores my skin to its healthy, balanced self.
Pros
- Helps fortify the skin barrier
- Luscious, buttery texture
Cons
- Not the cheapest option on the list
10. Cultured Biomecare Calm Cream
As its name suggests, this moisturiser is specifically formulated to calm sensitive skin and reduce redness. It relies upon prebiotics, a buzzy ingredient with an impressive ability to balance and protect the skin barrier.
Pros
- Tackles the source and the symptoms, via the microbiome
- Improves overall skin wellness
Cons
- This is an all-round good choice!
11. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream
e.l.f.'s Holy Hydration range is a bit of an unsung hero: the formulas are minimal and focus on soothing and hydrating skin with powerful ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. This fragrance-free cream is particularly good for super sensitive skin that can't tolerate fragrance, and although it feels incredibly luxe, it won't make a dent in your bank balance. Win, win.
Pros
- Fragrance free
- Very affordable
- Also has niacinamide and peptides
Cons
- Not the most effective option for inflammed skin
12. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
If you've left it too late and your skin is really suffering with irritation, you're probably noticing symptoms like a scaly texture, constant redness, and maybe even inflammatory papules. Gentle and soothing, this thick, nourishing cream works hard and fast to both repair and soften skin.
Pros
- Makes a visible difference to extreme irritation
- Affordable
- Suitable for children and babies
Cons
- None. It's a reliable choice.
13. Skin Rocks The Rich Moisturiser
Free from fragrance and any potential irritants, this intensely nourishing moisturiser addresses the key signs of dryness and sensitivity, such as flaky skin, redness, and dullness.
Pros
- Extremely nourishing and conditioning
Cons
- Very expensive for what it is
- Some might find it too greasy
14. No7 Derm Solutions 100-Hour Hydration Cream
Formulated with dermatologists to address skin sensitivity in both the long term and the short term, this thick, nourishing cream helps to reduce irritation by supporting the skin barrier.
Pros
- Gives long-lasting hydration
- Affordable
- Fortifies the skin barrier
Cons
- You can't complain. It's a good all-rounder
15. Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream
This lightweight, cooling gel cream feels instantly hydrating and soothing. Byoma is a brand that's focused on protecting your skin barrier with its barrier-boosting tri-ceramide complex, so this one is a great choice for sensitive skin. It's oil-free and is even packed with antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals and environmental aggressors.
Pros
- Gives.a glass-skin finish
- Really fortifies and protects the skin barrier with a Tri-Ceramide Complex.
Cons
- It's actually a brilliant moisturiser.
16. Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser
Cetaphil's Daily Defense Moisturiser comes in a great large size with a handy pump. It's a basic moisturiser for sensitive skin that's great value as it also has SPF50 protection. It offers intense hydration with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, but also feels lightweight and has fast absorption too.
Pros
- Includes SPF50 protection
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Basic, no frills choice
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 over the years— spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup 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 favorites 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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