Best skin care lotions for dry skin.
No matter the season, having a reliable go-to lotion as part of your daily routine is not only part of your self-care, but it’s also an essential after a day in the sun. A quality body lotion will provide soothing relief for itchy, patchy and dry skin. Hydration is key for buttery-soft skin and a good body lotion will do the trick.
But your routine — and your moisturizer — doesn’t have to be costly to be effective. In fact, there are a ton of affordable drugstore moisturizers that work just as well as, if not better than, the expensive stuff. Remember - finding a lotion with an SPF is essential, even during the fall and winter months. Keep scrolling to check out 11 of the best moisturizers for dry skin, according to reviews. You’ll find night creams from favorite CeraVe, nourishing gel lotions fro Aveeno and water creams from Tatcha.
$15.47, Walmart. Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion has a unique, lightweight formula that provides 24-hour hydration and helps restore the protective skin barrier with three essential ceramides (1,3,6-II). The formula also contains hyaluronic acid to help retain skins natural moisture.
Rave review: I have been using a different brand moisturizer which is triple the price of this one and decided to give it a try due to friends recommending it. I used it one time and I swear my skin already looks better. It also looks amazing under make up and I realized I don’t have to buy an expensive moisturizer for it to work. This drugstore moisturizer is totally worth the hype.
$10.87, Walmart. If it’s sensitive enough for your baby, it’s sensitive enough for you. The formula contains soothing oatmeal and rich emollients to help moisturize and relieve dry skin. It replenishes moisture for softer, smoother, healthier-looking skin, even after you rinse. From the Dermatologist-recommended brand for over 65 years, this moisturizing body wash is lightly scented, soap-free and dye-free.
Rave review: I absolutely love this product! I have very dry skin and this is one of the few washes where I don’t get all flaky after taking a shower. Also, I love the smell.
And if you have trouble with Eczema, try AVEENO Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream for $12.78.
$22, from Sephora. A rich cream that feeds skin with plumping hydration and antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice for a dewy, healthy glow. Recommended for individuals struggling with sensitive, dry and irritated skin types, including eczema.
Rave review: Amazing moisturizer! This moisturizer is my favorite by far. Been using it for two years and absolutely love it. So smooth and hydrating while leaving no tacky feeling behind. I always keep 2 or 3 on hand so I don’t run out!
$15.17, from Amazon. : Aquaphor is one essential solution for many skin care needs. Use on dry, cracked skin, as a lip moisturizer, facial moisturizer, hydrating mask, minor wound care and much more. This Aquaphor Healing Ointment is designed specifically for dry, compromised skin and clinically proven to restore smooth, healthy skin.
Rave review: Aquaphor has no scent. It doesn’t come in fancy packaging. It doesn’t cost a fortune. You won’t see it advertised on tv as a sexy moisturizer that will change your life. What it is, though, is the best, long lasting, skin glistening, skin healing, cost-effective ointment on the market. I love it and will use it forever.
$42, from Dermastore. This one is a bit more pricey than some of the others, but hear us out. As one of our favorite beauty brands, First Aid Beauty takes the cake on healthful, luscious-feeling ingredients that we always resort to when we need something we know won’t break us out. This night cream deeply hydrates and combats the signs of aging.
Rave review: I have sensitive skin that’s prone to cystic acne, on top of that I’m using retinol (which totally dries out my skin). I always come back to this moisturizer because of how simple and effective it is.
$10.76, from Amazon. Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, leaves the skin soft, hydrated, with a visibly youthful appearance. Formulated with Argan Oil, Retinol and Ceramides that visibly improves the signs of aging and correct skin texture and tone.
Rave review: I find as I’m getting older (52), my skin needs more hydration. I am outside a lot and my skin is gently worn. This has been part of my regular routine. Clean smelling and all day hydrating. Not greasy just what you want in a healing lotion.
$12.88, from Amazon. A thick, smooth moisturizing cream that helps restore and maintain a normal moisture level. Helps soothe red, irritated, cracking or itchy skin. It is as gentle as it is effective on even the most delicate skin. Ideal moisturizing formula for dry skin associated with eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, and winter itch. Kid-friendly. Apply after bathing, showering, swimming or sun exposure Apply before exposure to wind or cold.
Rave review: I used it on my 4 month old, only cream that worked! He’s now 2 and as long as I keep on it everyday, works like a charm, no more eczema!
$14.53, from Walmart. Fight dryness with this 48 hour moisturizing cream, keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy. Eucerin body cream for dry skin is formulated with ceramides to help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier to lock in moisture. This sensitive skin cream formula is lightweight and fast-absorbing to smooth, repair and hydrate dry skin.
Rave review: Eurcerin has really helped with my dry chapped hands. During this high hand-washing period my hands were so dry they were starting to crack. I tried other brands and they helped some, but Eucerin has reversed that condition.
$13.97, from Amazon. This moisturizing lotion is dermatologist recommended and contains clinically proven 12% lactic acid that boosts the skin’s natural renewal process through gentle exfoliation. Use daily to reveal softer, smoother skin. Formulated with 12 percent lactic acid, this daily moisturizer lotion boosts your skin’s natural renewal process.
Rave review: I have tried many products for dry skin that were recommended by either a dermatologist or other healthcare professionals and have spent a lot of money being disappointed.... but this product actually works!!! I am in my “more mature” years for age, so dry skin is part of the aging process. After 2 weeks of using this on my arms and legs I have noticed a visible improvement in my skin and it actually looks more like it did when I was much younger!! I actually see more of a “glow” and less scale and dryness.
$13.54, from Amazon. The strongest anti-itch medication you can buy without a prescription, Sarna Sensitive’s moisturizing formula provides intensive relief for eczema and dry skin conditions. Designed with sensitive skin in mind, Sarna Sensitive contains no steroids, parabens, fragrances or other harsh chemicals and is safe and effective for daily use.
Rave review: This Sarna is pretty thick, so even the smallest little dab goes a long way to stopping itching and provide relief. I definitely recommend, have used intermittently for years for a variety of itch causes, from allergic itchy rashes to bug bites, to dry skin annoyances, and it hasn’t disappointed yet! Seems to have pretty long shelf life too!
Ashley Dill covers the online shopping industry, writing about commerce. She can be reached at adill@pennlive.com.
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