22 Best Face Moisturisers For Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists and Editors

There's a reason Weleda Skin Food (£8) always come out on top when debating about the best moisturisers for dry skin. It's incredibly thick in consistency, but when worked with warm fingertips and pressed onto the face before bed, it leaves the skin feeling hydrated and even dewy in the morning. It's a firm editor favourite and makeup artist favourite, who often use it backstage at fashion week when the models' skin starts to show signs of wear and tear of weeks of taking their makeup on and off multiple times a day.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream (£14.50) is the moisturiser I always go back to when I feel like my skin is "having a moment", in other words, going red, blotchy, spot-prone, and dry, all in one go. It contains soothing ingredients (as the name suggests) such as, aloe, cucumber, and arnica, and feels lightweight, non-greasy, but rich enough for the colder weather.

Dr Ife J Rodney, MD, FAAD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics recommends the CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 (£13) because "it uses ceramides to repair the skin barrier, whilst also protecting against the sun's harmful rays," she says. "An added plus is that it applies with an elegant matte finish."

For an extra boost of protection, Pam Marshall, a clinical aesthetician based in London, layers Exuviance Ultra Restorative Creme (£54) on top of her regular moisturiser for an extra boost of hydration at night. "It's high in lactobionic acid, so over regular moisturiser, it heals and protects the skin," she explains.

"Here's another moisturiser that lives up to all of the hype," says POPSUGAR content director Sophia Panych. "I was initially attracted to the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream (£50) because it was clean formula that's free of fragrance, dyes, and parabens. I became hooked after I saw and felt how hydrating it was. Oh, and it works really well as a base for makeup."

Another favourite of Dr Nasiruddin's is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich Moisturiser For Sensitive Skin (£14, originally £16.50). "It is effective, well-made, and very well priced — I always recommend it [to my patients]," she says.

Although the Clinique Moisture Surge (£37) is more expensive than your average high street purchase, the reviews alone speak for themselves (hello 4.65 star rating!).. The lightweight gel-cream texture makes it a great option for those worried about clogging the pores, and it can even be used as a mask for an intense surge of hydration.

"Using natural skin-care products when you have dry, sensitive skin can be tricky. Many of the botanicals and essential oils found in natural creams and lotions can be quite aggravating to those with temperamental complexions," says Panych. "Trilogy Very Gentle Moisturising Cream (£25.50) is one of the only all-natural face creams I've tried that is actually soothing and calming to the skin. And it's so rich and hydrating, that it got me and my skin through last year's bitter cold winter in New York City unscathed."

Even those with sensitive skin have sung the praises of Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (£87). It's on the pricier side, but is a good option if you're looking for something rich but not thick, that sits well under makeup, and that dries to a semi-matte appearance.

Acne-prone skin that also gets dry can be tricky to buy for. Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Cadogan Clinic likes La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Moisturiser (£17) as it's "good for acne-prone skin, which is still dry or sensitive in areas."

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 (£130) is a great all rounder according to Dr Susan Mayou, consultant dermatologist at Cadogan Clinic. "It's great in winter with its ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acid ingredients. It's suitable for all skin types as well as for mature skin at any time of year."

"Ameliorate Replenishing Facial Cream (£22) is my favourite type of skin care product", says POPSUGAR associate editor, Tori Crowther. "It's fuss-free with the aim of calming and protecting skin." It contains Ameliorate's LAH6 Skin Hydration Complex, which is a combination of humectants with milk protein and soothing oat, plus ceramides and cica to help hydrate and reduce irritation.