The best moisturiser for dry skin: hydrating creams that will fix flakiness fast (2023)

Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream, £69 | Lookfantastic

Best moisturiser for dry, sensitive skin:Kate Somerville's skin clinic in LA is a hotspot for celebrities. She's their go-to for all things skin. You don't need to cross the Atlantic to get super hydrated and calm skin. This little tub of joy is ideal if you have slightly sensitive skin, it cocoons skin in moisture and instantly feels soothed.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: We would trust A-list aesthetician Kate Somerville with our lives.

Byoma Moisturising Rich Cream, £13.99 | Cult Beauty

Best purse-friendly skin nourisherByoma as a brand is all about caring for the skin barrier. It does that by formaulating all of its products to contain a tri-ceramide complex. The fantastic thing about this cream is that for a mere £14, you can see your skin transform for the better within a couple of weeks.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Affordable and accessible.

CeraVe Moisturising Cream, £9 | Lookfantastic

Best affordable moisturiser for dry skin:CeraVe might not have the sexiest packaging, but boy does the dry skin cream inside make up for that. This purse-friendly cream is rich and nourishing, but not greasy at all. It uses this clever thing called MVE Delivery Technology that releases the much-needed ingredients throughout the day, exactly when you need them. It's also a great, gentle cream for dry or itchy skin conditions like eczema, as it supports a compromised skin barrier.Why it gets Marie Claire seal of approval: It's purse-friendly and really, really good.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Lipid Replenishment Skincare for Mature Skin, £114.99 | Face The Future

Best high-end moisturiser for dry skin:If you have dry skin, its natural protection is weak and vulnerable, which makes it super fragile. It's crying out for a cream like this, which is water-based and rich in valuable lipids, natural extracts and essentials oils that cocoon the skin in softness. Expensive, yes, but also one of the best moisturisers you can get for really dry skin.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: No fuss, no frills, delivers on its promises.

Weleda Skin Food, from £8.25 | Cult Beauty

Best rich cream for dry skin:This cream is not for the faint-hearted. It is so thick and rich that it can be used all over the body, but some people think it makes the best moisturiser for super dry skin on the face too. You have been warned.'When my skin is crazy dry, I always turn to Skin Food. My skin drinks it up and I'm left looking really dewy. Plus my make-up goes on better, which is always a bonus,' says Marie Claire Features Editor.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A cult multipurpose classic that counts Victoria Beckham among its fans.

Sisley Velvet Nourishing Cream, £158 | Liberty

Best luxury buy:If you have nearly £150 to spend on a day cream, then you should do it. Sisley know how to create a beautiful moisturiser and this one is no different. This cream can be used day and night and eases tightness, calms redness, soothes discomfort. This cream is all about making your skin feel comfortable and that's thanks to the Saffron flower extract.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A dreamy luxury that's worth every penny.

Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream, £19.50 | Boots

Best for dry, sensitive skin:One of Japan's best-selling brands is now available on UK shores, and we're obsessed. Although it's described as an intensive cream and is lovely and thick, it importantly doesn't feel too greasy on your skin. It supports your skin barrier with a thick dose of hydration, and it's nothing short of excellent.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Instantly soothes tight skin.

Augustinus Bader The Cream, from £135 | SpaceNK

Best science-y cream:You've probably seen Augustinus Bader on some of your favourite celebrities' Instagram feed. Victoria Beckham loves it, Diane Kruger can't get enough and Marie Claire is just as obsessed. The science behind it a special complex that has previously been used to heal burnt skin. It's been a total game-changer in the industry for good reason.'Gosh, this is such a smart product. I know that the price won't suit everyone, but the research and science behind it is unparelled. I am a huge fan and my skin loves it,' praises Senior Beauty Editor Katie Thomas.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A scientifically-proven skin healer.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Rehydrating Cream, £22 | Boots

Best hydrating moisturiser for dry skin:If you're plagued by dehydration, as well as dryness (yes, there is a difference) then what you want is a cream that contains hydrating ingredients, as well as soothing. Thankully, this rich formula is packed full of hyaluronic acid and shea butter. It has a velvety texture to it that you will instantly fall in love with.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Works beautifully as a base for make-up.

Avène Hydrance Rich-UV Hydrating Cream SPF 30, £17.35 | Lookfantastic

Best for sore, uncomfortable skin:When skin is so dry that it feels tight and sore, this soothes and prevents further moisture-loss. It works particularly well in Winter when skin needs an extra boost, and comes with the added bonus of SPF 30.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A French pharmacy must-have.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser, £12.99 | Boots

Best lightweight moisturiser for dry skin:If you’re after lightweight hydration rather than creamy nourishment, then Neutrogena’s gel moisturiser is an absolute dream. This one’s all about its hyaluronic acid, which draws in water and essentially locks it to your skin cells, meaning all-day hydration without any greasiness.'I really love a lightweight cream and they don't come much better than this. You can barely feel it on the skin and anything that goes on top - a primer or foundation - goes on perfectly,' says Marie Claire Producer Grace Warn.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: It makes the perfect summer lightweight hydrator.

Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream, £85 | Caudalie

Best for fighting the visible signs of ageing:Need a cream that delivers loads of results? Packed full of anti-ageing technology (that’s been developed by Harvard Medical School), this cream targets lines and wrinkles and improves the skin’s elasticity. By combining hyaluronic acid and Caudalie's exclusive vine sap, it combats dark spots and prevents dry, peeling skin too.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: 10 years of scientific research went into perfecting this formula.

Lumene Nordic Hydra Hydration Rescue 24H Replenishing Balm, £17.90 | Lookfantastic

Best nourishing formula:When your skin is in need of rescuing, maybe the weather has turned or you've used a pretty punch peel, this will boost your skin's moisture levels leaving it smooth, plump and nourished.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: It's basically a skin rescue in a pot.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, £28.50 | Lookfantastic

One of the best-selling moisturisers for dry skin:One of the most iconic moisturisers on the planet - 10 are sold every minute. It's famous for replenishing skin. Despite being lightweight in texture, it continues to hydrate throughout the day. It's also been developed to care for complexions in even the harshest climates.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: That many people can't be wrong...

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, £13 | Lookfantastic

Best French pharmacy moisturiser:You can find a tube of this hero cream inside the kits of pretty much every famed makeup artist. Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, it preps the skin for makeup beautifully, and also works wonders as a flash moisture mask, makeup remover, razor bump remedy, and for your everyday moisturiser.'There's a reason that make-up artists love using this backstage at fashion weeks. Because no matter what state the model's skin is in, this brings it back to life. Lack of sleep, layers and layers of heavy make-up and generally not looking after it properly takes a toll. This is a skin-reviver,' explains Katie.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Make-up artists swear by it.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, £30 | Cult Beauty

Best repairing cream:When your skin is dry and tight, you want a cream to do two things. One - envelop the skin in moisture, making it feel more comfortable. Two - penetrate deep into the dermal layers to improve hydration from within.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval Korean skincare at its best.

Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, £45 | Space NK

Best plumping moisturiser:If you're after a sustainable option, Biossance combines scientific research with sustainable practices. Each of their products contains a sugarcane-derived squalane (rather than squalene, which is found is sharks) that helps seal in moisture. This nourishing cream banishes flakes, seals in moisture and leaves skin plump and happy. The packaging is also completely recyclable.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A brand that has sustainability at its core.

Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream, from £15.88 | Beauty Pie

Best for hydration:The entire Japanfusion range from Beauty Pie utilises three different forms of hyaluronic acid. Skin is transformed after just one use – gone is any evidence of dry and dehydrated skin.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: A triple hyaluronic acid threat.

La Roche-Posay Nutritic Intense Riche, £18 | Lookfantastic

Best drugstore moisturiser for dry skin:This rich cream floods the skin with moisture and reinforces the skin's barrier function, meaning that skin is happier for longer. Dermatologists love it and, naturally, so do we.Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: Affordable luxury.