10 Best Lotions for Dry Skin Recommended by Dermatologists
These creams and moisturizers can help hydrate and soothe dry, itchy skin.
Anyone with dry, flaky skin knows how uncomfortable and painful it can be. Luckily, using a body lotion can provide much-needed relief, but sometimes using one every day just isn’t enough. Here you can find the best lotions for dry skin
Specially formulated to hydrate and soothe even the driest of skin.
But what exactly causes dry skin? The causes vary, from certain skin conditions to the natural consequences of aging, but of course weather can also be a big factor. “Cold weather damages the lipid bilayer, which protects our skin from environmental influences, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and skin conditions like eczema,” explains Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgical. ” New York City Center. It’s not just the cold air outside that causes dandruff and itchiness; the dry heat indoors also contains very little moisture, which can dry out skin even more.
To combat this, it’s important to use a moisturizing lotion designed for dry skin. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best lotions, creams, and moisturizers recommended by dermatologists to soothe and heal dry, flaky skin. When using these moisturizing lotions, be sure to pay attention to the other products you use, such as: B. Body wash can actually make dry skin worse, says Diane Madfes, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Madfes Aesthetic Medical Center in New York City. You should choose a gentle body wash to soothe dry skin and avoid exfoliating cleansers, which can exacerbate dryness in the cold, dry air.
Are you ready to say goodbye to dry, chapped skin? Next, find the lotions, creams, and moisturizers recommended by dermatologists to keep your skin hydrated and soft year-round.
1. CeraVe Moisturizer
“One of my favorite body moisturizers, CeraVe Moisturizer, with ceramides (lipids naturally found in the skin), glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, provides powerful, deep hydration and moisturizing,” explains Dr. Celav.
Machibein. “Like cholesterol and fatty acids, ceramides are responsible for building a healthy, intact skin barrier and retaining moisture in the skin.” With nearly perfect reviews from a whopping 122,000 buyers, this all-in-one cream is clearly a customer favorite.
2. Curél Anti-Itch Relief Body Lotion
Ceramides, provitamin B5, and shea butter work together to provide instant relief for dry, itchy skin. The fragrance-free formula is suitable for all skin types, including eczema. In fact, it’s so gentle that you can use it on babies as young as six months old. “After about a week of applying it after the shower, I felt no itching, no burning sensation when applying, and my skin felt so much better,” raved one reviewer. ”
3. Curél Dry Skin Therapy Hydrating Silk Moisturizer
This moisturizer was praised by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab for its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture. A clinical study showed that 94% of testers also loved the soothing formula, which contains ingredients like Advanced Ceramide Complex and Aloe Water, and noted that it made their skin feel healthier and more radiant.
“It absorbs quickly into my skin, leaving a silky feeling that lasts all day,” one reviewer wrote. “After a week of use, I no longer have dry patches on my elbows and feet. They used to be rough and itchy. I’m happy with the slightly smooth feeling after use, rather than the heavy lotion feel of most lotions.” ”
4. Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Unscented Body Lotion
Vaseline’s fragrance-free body lotion received top marks in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab’s testing for its moisturizing properties. It provides skin with 60 percent more moisture, ensuring it stays hydrated all day. It was also a favorite among testers, who noted that the formula absorbs quickly. At less than $10 per 32-ounce bottle, it’s very affordable.
“This lotion works great for me. Within a few hours of using various lotions, my skin gets a little dry again. “With Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair, this lotion made a difference for me. It stays put longer.” “It’s long-lasting and non-greasy,” said one reviewer. “It’s very moisturizing and my skin absorbs it like a sponge! Another great thing about it is that it’s fragrance-free, so it doesn’t irritate my skin at all.” ”
5. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+
If you have sensitive skin that’s prone to redness, itching, or irritation, La Roche-Posay’s intensive cream, which can be used on both the face and body, is a great choice since it’s recommended by the National Eczema Association.
Thanks to restorative ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide (a B vitamin that reduces redness), it delivers long-lasting hydration—one reviewer says it healed his body eczema in just one week.
Plus, it carries the seal of approval from Dr. Marchbein because it’s thick enough to heal dry patches but still absorbs right into the skin, leaving little to no makeup behind.
6. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
This product isn’t just for your face—it can be used everywhere to truly heal irritated skin. Dr. Gohara loves that it contains ceramides, shea butter, and colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritation, stop itching, and leave skin feeling healthy. “I bought this for my husband who has very dry skin and eczema. His hands have healed so well after using it for a while! ” one reviewer raved. “If you’ve tried lots and lots of different lotions or creams and nothing works, give this one a try.”
7. Glow Recipe: Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream
This popular face cream from Glow Recipe is infused with watermelon seed oil, giving it a light, creamy texture and hydrating feel, not to mention an amazing scent. It’s especially good at reducing uneven skin tone and giving skin a fresh glow, thanks to Hibiscus AHA and hydrating hyaluronic acid, which gently exfoliate and naturally smooth skin.
“First, the smell is amazing! I’ve gotten so many great reviews from people who’ve used it. “It leaves my skin hydrated and glowy without leaving a sticky feeling,” raves one Amazon reviewer. “I love the exfoliating properties of a lotion, but it still smells great. It’s light, but very hydrating,” says another shopper.
8. Eucerin Advanced Restorative Cream
This highly-rated, affordable moisturizer not only contains ceramides, shea butter, and glycerin for intense hydration, but also lactic acid, an ultra-gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), to gently exfoliate the skin and make skin look smoother.
“My doctor recommended it to me, and I’m so happy with the results. “I apply it to my palms and elbows every night, and the rough patches are gone,” one reviewer raves. However, keep in mind that AHAs can make you sensitive to the sun, so you should wear sunscreen afterward.
9. Kiehl’s Ultra Face Cream 24-Hour Daily Moisturizer
With moisturizing ingredients like squalane and glacial glycoprotein, this cream hydrates even the driest skin, impressing the Good Housekeeping Institute. It received top marks in the Beauty Lab test, increasing skin moisture by 46.5 percent in six hours. Additionally, testers praised its “fine and silky” texture and ability to hydrate skin without leaving a “sticky or heavy” residue.
Online reviewers also rave about the cream’s silky formula. “I can almost hear my skin sigh after I apply it. Instantly soft. Instantly protected from the air. After one little application. Just what my skin needed,” wrote one
Amazon buyer.
10. Aveeno Skin Relief Unscented Moisturizing Lotion
“This body lotion with triple oat complex and natural shea butter is perfect for those with dry skin. Its creamy formula spreads evenly and comfortably on the skin,” explains Dr. Sparrow. This lotion has five-star reviews
from over 29,000 users on Amazon and is a customer favorite. “I have very dry skin and this moisturizer keeps my skin hydrated all day long,” one reviewer writes. “It absorbs easily into the skin and is non-greasy.”
