I never gave much thought to my skin type until premature menopause, followed by turning 40, brought on persistent dryness and a search for products to tackle it. More than two years and over 40 moisturisers later, I’ve found the ones that truly work for dry skin, and my skin now looks plumper, smoother and more radiant than before.
Dry skin can have several causes, but at its core, it comes down to a weakened skin barrier. Aesthetic doctor Dr Ahmed El Muntasar explains that this failure is caused by environmental and medical issues. External factors could be “the weather, low humidity, using the wrong products or very harsh products on the skin, and over-stripping or exfoliating the skin”. But it can also be caused by “medical conditions – things like psoriasis and thyroid problems, eczema, and simply just ageing.”
Whatever your skincare routine looks like, using the right moisturiser for your skin type is essential. The best moisturiser for dry skin will both hydrate and lock in moisture, helping to prevent it from escaping.
As a beauty writer, I’m constantly testing new products, so I know what sets a great moisturiser apart from one that falls short; below are the formulas that genuinely impressed me after weeks of testing on my dry skin.
The best moisturisers for dry skin in 2026 are:
- Best overall – Byoma barrier+ repair treatment: £16.99, Boots.com
- Best budget option – CeraVe moisturising cream tube with ceramides for dry to very dry skin: £7, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for mature skin – Dr David Jack skin cushion pro-lipid recovery cream: £139, Drdavidjack.com
- Best for extremely dry skin – La Roche Posay cicaplast baume B5+ repairing soothing balm: £15.60, Boots.com
Read more: I‘m a beauty writer, these are the products under £15 that are actually worth trying
How I tested
I tested each moisturiser over a number of weeks, taking into consideration qualities like ingredients, consistency, and the appearance and feel of my skin. You can read my full testing criteria at the end of this guide.
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